Just a year after AFL fans said goodbye to superstars James Hird, Nathan Buckley, Mark Ricciuto and Glenn Archer, they have been wowed by the performances of one of the most exciting crop of youngsters to grace the AFL in years.
In years like 2008 it's a shame that there are only 22 players who can be awarded with NAB AFL Rising Star nominations, as so many others have impressed over the course of the year. It's a fair bet many will have long and distinguished careers.
Just to get a picture of the calibre of talent eligible for this year's Ron Evans Medal, take a look at this side of 2008 NAB AFL Rising Star nominees:
B: Brad Ebert (WCE), Colin Garland (Melb), Kyle Reimers (Ess)
HB: Bachar Houli (Ess), Nathan Brown (Coll), Gavin Urquhart (NM)
C: Cale Morton (Melb), Trent Cotchin (Rich), Bradd Dalziell (Bris)
HF: Josh Hill (WB), Kurt Tippet (Ade), Ben McKinley (WCE)
F: Cyril Rioli (Haw), Jack Riewoldt (Rich) Austin Wonaeamirri (Melb)
R: Matthew Kreuzer (Carl), Garrick Ibbotson (Fre), Rhys Palmer (Fre)
INT: Jarryd Morton (Haw), Shaun Grigg (Carl), Kieren Jack (Syd), Alipate Carlile (Port)
Now that's not a bad side in anyone's language. What's probably even more impressive is that the Rising Star selectors couldn't find room to give nominations to players like Fremantle's Chris Mayne, Craig Bird from Sydney, Demon Simon Buckley and Essendon's Leroy Jetta.
Today one player will be named the NAB AFL Rising Star of 2008, and I can tell you that I’m happy I won't be asked to judge. While the selectors have a tough decision to make, here is a top five they may come up with.
Rhys Palmer: He's one straight into the midfield in a struggling team and averaged 23 disposals a game.
Cyril Rioli: This guy just oozes class. Played brilliantly in a great team.
Nathan Brown: Held down centre half-back for the Magpies and played on the best players around.
Colin Garland: Similar to Brown in that he's held down a key position in a backline that has been under fire.
Matthew Kreuzer: Will possibly be the best of the lot but ruckmen do take time. Will be an out and out star.
Regardless of who is this year's NAB AFL Rising Star, it's nice to know that there's a fair chance this group might throw up its own Buckley, Hird, Ricciuto or Archer. That's a nice thought for footy fans all around the country.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
