The best performed young footballer in the AFL in 2012 is ineligible to win the NAB Rising Star Award including a $20,000 investment portfolio.
Toby Greene’s innocuous bump on Brisbane Lion Jed Adcock in round eight cost the prolific midfielder a one match suspension and almost certainly the coveted award.
Past winners include Nathan Buckley (1993), Chris Scott (1994), Ben Cousins (1996), Adam Goodes (1999), Nick Riewoldt (2002), Sam Mitchell (2003), Brett Deledio (2005) and Joel Selwood (2007).
The number 11 pick in the 2011 National Draft managed 19 games this season averaging a whopping 28.4 possessions a game, six more than his nearest rival, second year Bulldog Mitch Wallis (19 games).
Head to head with veteran opponent Sam Mitchell in round 15, Greene managed 34 disposals, four marks and five tackles to Mitchell’s 33, six, one (and one goal).
Since round 14 Greene has averaged 33.3 disposals, 3.5 marks, 3.2 tackles and 0.7 goals a game, easily the most dominant of his young peers.
Whoever is declared the winner next Monday should feel pretty fortunate given Greene’s dominant season. A consolation for Greene will be the AFLPA’s Best First Year Player Award, which is presented at the MVP Awards night.
On the field Greene reminds me of a young Ben Cousins with his contested ball strength, reading of the play and natural endurance.
Cousins won the Brownlow Medal after ten years in 2005. Mitchell was runner up last year (his tenth season) and so if he stays healthy, Greene has a long career ahead of him to push for the games highest individual honour.
The top remaining chances in this year’s NAB AFL Rising Star Award are:
Jeremy Cameron (GWS, 16 games)
The 195cm 19-year-old has had an outstanding season as a tall marking target in the Giants’ young forward line. Cameron averaged 10 disposals, five marks and 1.8 goals a game, often against to the opposition’s number one defender.
Mitch Wallis (Bulldogs, 19 games)
The son of former Club great Stephen, Mitch wins a lot of the ball, averaging 22.3 disposals, 3.6 marks and 4.2 tackles a game in 2012. Stepping out of his father’s shadow in the 2010 TAC Cup grand final, Wallis gathered 47 disposals helping the Calder Cannons to a commanding win.
Adam Treloar (GWS, 18 games)
After forcing his way into the Giants AFL side in round three, Treloar has become one of their most consistent performers, averaging 21 disposals, 4.8 marks, 2.7 tackles and 0.7 goals a game. After racking up 37 disposals against Collingwood in round 18, Treloar got some welcome advice from his accomplished opponent Scott Pendlebury.
Tom Bugg (GWS, 18 games)
Bugg appeared on the radar in round one when he gathered 27 disposals, five marks and four tackles against Sydney. The small defender has averaged 17.6 disposals, four marks and 3.2 tackles per game, while being given some of the tougher tagging assignments.
Daniel Talia (Crows, 22 games)
The 20-year-old has very capably partnered veteran Ben Rutten in the key defensive posts for the Crows this year. While only averaging 8.2 disposals, 2.6 marks and 1.9 tackles per game, impressively Talia has only conceded an average of one goal per game to his opponent.
Josh Caddy (Suns, 22 games)
The out-of-contract and in demand 19-year-old has averaged 15.2 disposals, 3.6 marks, 2.6 tackles and 0.7 goals a game this season. The early favourite for the award got the season off to a fast start but plateaued until he managed three crucial goals against Carlton, effectively burying their finals hopes.
Brandon Ellis (Tigers, 21 games)
Arguably the quiet achiever of this bunch, the young Tiger has managed 21 games this season in a competitive midfield unit. Averaging 15.7 disposals, 3.8 marks and 1.7 tackles a game, Ellis’ hard work and dedication to his AFL career has been rewarded by all at Punt Road.
Chad Wingard (Power, 19 games)
The South Australian with strong leadership qualities has impressed at Alberton in his first season. Averaging 12.5 disposals, 1.9 marks and 2.4 tackles a game, the Power are excited about the young midfielder’s future as they continue their rebuild.
Joel
Guest
you can have a team without wallis, cameron, beams, greene.......... but not without talia
Joel
Guest
very true. the afl only look at midfielders and grossly overpaid forwards. talia has been keeping the best forwards in the game quite almost every time. shows the highest form of consistency. if he beat cameron, surely he deserves it........
Jack Russell
Roar Guru
No idea what the odds are, but I would have thought Talia would be favourite. Even if Cameron will probably end up a better player.
Sh00ter
Roar Pro
Nice1 Matt. Talia, Cameron or Treloar would be reasonable winners in the end.
Sh00ter
Roar Pro
Hi Bayman, It's a fair point about Talia. His ability to shut down forwards is very impressive for a 20 year old but he's playing in a very good team with excellent defensive pressure from the midfield, has Rutten, Reilly, Shaw and co. along slide him and the Crows had the softest draw in AFL history. I still think where Greene has come from to be as dominant as many of his more experienced opponents is super impressive.
Matt
Guest
Greene has had an excellent debut year and if not for being found guilty by the MRP would be a most deserving winner of the NAB Rising Star Award. On this matter, it is a common held belief that the MRP needs to come under review as some of their decisions this year have been an absolute disgrace to the game. The fact that Mark Fraser is head of the MRP is an appointment that goes beyond idiotic. Fraser was a soft and gutless player and he seems intent on making AFL a softer sport. Now. in relation to who should win the NAB Rising Star this year, then one would struggle to go past Talia. In the context to who has played the greatest role for their team it can be strongly argued that Talias' role has had the greatest influence on their clubs' success in comparison to the other Rising Star nominees. Whilst Talia has averaged less possessions he has undertaken a role for his team week in and week out where he has at least held is own if not out right beaten his direct opponent. It should benoted that each week Talia has played on the best opposition forwards which include Pavlich, Cloke, Franklin, Sam Reid from Sydney, Cameron, Riewoldt, Hawkins etc. and held these players to an average of 1 goal per game and significantly reduced their impact. Talias' spoiling has been a key to his success this year and a key component to the Crows rebounding run from defence. Whilst history dictates that the Rising Star is typically a future gun midfielder or glamour forward perhaps it is time for the Rising Star to be awarded to the dour defender who provides the opportunities and the foundation for midfielders and forwards to prosper.
Bayman
Guest
Greene has had a very impressive first year in the big time but, like Hannebury, he does tend to spray it around a bit. There is no doubt that he will be an absolute gun in the coming years and, hopefully, the extra experience will teach him to relax a bit and hit those targets. However, diving in and under in todays footy is going to get you some touches which is not a criticism, by the way, but I'd be pretty happy with any key defender who keeps his opponents to a goal a game on average. I reckon that's probably more value than a midfielder getting plenty of it but turning it over every third or fourth touch. What Grene is doing should be getting people excited about his, and the GWS', future. What Talia is doing is winning games for his team right now. Just a thought.
Strummer Jones
Guest
Greene has been extremely impressive hasn't he and hopefully will continue improving next year. Noticed he injured himself in the dying minutes of the North game, though I assume nothing serious.l
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Instead of a Rising Star, Greene got a contract extension to 2015, and at a presumed pay increase way more than $20 000. Heck, his target at the start of the year was to play 10 games - his match fees alone have been more than the 20 he's missed out on.
Strummer Jones
Guest
Yes, but Hannebury won it as well and he can't hit targets. Hopefully he's reading this so it motivates him to practice in the backyard this week before the finals.
TC
Guest
Caddy, Cameron and Treloar look like the best bets. TC