COULD Gold Coast record a trifecta in the 2020 NAB AFL Rising Star award?

Last year's No.1 overall draft pick, Matt Rowell, is the overwhelming favourite to claim the prestigious honour in his first season with the Suns.

However, his biggest competition is tipped to come from within, with livewire small forward Izak Rankine and big-bodied midfielder Noah Anderson expected to claim plenty of votes.

The trio should get plenty of senior opportunities in a Suns side that won just three games last year.

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Rowell appears to be a walk-up start in the midfield given how dominant he was at junior level with Vic Metro and Oakleigh Chargers.

Rankine will almost be like a new recruit for the Suns.

Injuries held the speedster back last year, but the third overall pick from the 2018 national draft is back into full training and ready to light up the competition.

Anderson should also feature early alongside his best mate Rowell.

The 188cm 18-year-old is likely to start his career as a forward, but he's also got the ability to roll through the midfield.

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Recent history is on Rowell's side, with two of the past three No. 1 overall draft picks winning the Rising Star award the following year.

Andrew McGrath achieved the feat with Essendon in 2017 before Carlton midfielder Sam Walsh took out the honour last year.

If Rowell, Rankine or Anderson can win the Rising Star award, they will be the first Suns player to claim the award since Jaeger O'Meara in 2013.

Other top-10 draftees who should make an impact this year include Fremantle trio Caleb Serong, Hayden Young and Liam Henry, Greater Western Sydney's academy selection Tom Green and Sydney wingman Dylan Stephens.

But there's also several second and third-year players, notably Adelaide forward/mid Chayce Jones, Collingwood defender Isaac Quaynor and GWS pair Jye Caldwell and Jackson Hately with the potential to take a leap after getting a taste of senior football last year.

Jones, especially, has been a standout over the summer at the Crows and should get an extended run in the side this year.

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Another to watch out for is North Melbourne recruit Aiden Bonar, who – after just six games in two seasons with GWS – is in line for more opportunities in his new surroundings.

To win the award, players must be aged 20 or under on January 1 this year and have played 10 or less AFL games at the start of the season. 

Adelaide

Best chance: Chayce Jones. The Tasmanian has been one of the standouts during pre-season training and should get more midfield time as the Crows rebuild under new senior coach Matthew Nicks.

Eligible players: 11 - Chayce Jones (eight games), Jordon Butts, Lachlan Gollant, Will Hamill, Fischer McAsey, Ned McHenry, Andrew McPherson, Ronin O'Connor, Harry Schoenberg, Lachlan Sholl, Josh Worrell.

Brisbane

Best chance: Deven Robertson. Tough to crack into a strong Lions side, but last year's Larke Medallist can compete straight away. Starcevich is also one to watch after an impressive summer.

Eligible players: 14 – Brandon Starcevich (five games), Connor Ballenden, Thomas Berry, Kiedean Coleman, Tom Fullarton, Tom Joyce, James Madden, Connor McFadyen, Jack Payne, Jaxon Prior, Deven Robertson, Brock Smith, Ely Smith, Toby Wooler. 

Carlton

Best chance: Liam Stocker. The player at the centre of the infamous Carlton/Adelaide pick swap got a taste of senior footy last year and will continue to improve.

Eligible players: 10 – Liam Stocker (five games), Tom De Koning (two games), Matt Cottrell, Josh Honey, Brodie Kemp, Finbar O'Dwyer, Fraser Phillips, Sam Philp, Sam Ramsay, Ben Silvagni. 

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Collingwood

Best chance: Isaac Quaynor. The defender's promising debut season ended with a foot stress reaction and hip surgery, but he should return to the main group this month.

Eligible players: 11 – Flynn Appleby (10 games), Isaac Quaynor (four games), Nathan Murphy (two games), Trent Bianco, Atu Bosenavulagi, Tyler Brown, Mark Keane, Will Kelly, Jay Rantall, Trey Ruscoe, Anton Tohill. 

Essendon

Best chance: Irving Mosquito. Dangerous small forward should push for senior selection after showing promise in the VFL last year. The Bombers only have eight players eligible for the Rising Star award, equal-lowest alongside St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs.

Eligible players: Eight – Brayden Ham (five games), Nick Bryan, Noah Gown, Lachlan Johnson, Harrison Jones, Ross McQuillan, Irving Mosquito.

Fremantle

Best chance: Caleb Serong. Exciting mid/forward should feature heavily under new coach Justin Longmuir. Young and Henry are also strong chances to receive nominations. Giro (ACL) and Valente (groin) are both coming back from injuries.

Eligible players: 11 – Stefan Giro (10 games), Jason Carter (two games), Hugh Dixon (one game), Liam Henry, Tom North, Dillon O'Reilly, Jarvis Pina, Caleb Serong, Sam Sturt, Luke Valente, Hayden Young. 

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Greater Western Sydney

Best chance: Tom Green. The Giants' midfield is stacked, but Green is an outstanding talent who will push hard to force his way in. Hill, Hately, Caldwell and Ash could all pick up nominations.

Eligible players: 11 – Ian Hill (eight games), Jackson Hately (seven games), Jye Caldwell (two games), Connor Idun (one game), Lachie Ash, Kieren Briggs, Callum Brown, Tom Green, Xavier O'Halloran, Jake Riccardi, Nick Shipley.

Geelong

Best chance: Charlie Constable. The biggest obstacle for Constable is forcing his way into a star-studded Cats midfield. Going to be tough for any of their Rising Star hopefuls to be regulars in the senior side.

Eligible players: 11 – Charlie Constable (seven games), Oscar Brownless, Sam De Koning, Francis Evans, Ben Jarvis, Jacob Kennerley, Nathan Kreuger, Blake Schlensog, Cooper Stephens, Cameron Taheny, Jake Tarca.

Gold Coast

Best chance: Matt Rowell. Should be in the Suns' best 22 from round one and play a prominent midfield role all season.

Eligible players: 14 – Jacob Dawson (nine games), Caleb Graham (three games), Noah Anderson, Connor Budarick, Matt Conroy, Sam Flanders, Sam Fletcher, Jez McLennan, Izak Rankine, Mitch Riordan, Malcolm Rosas, Matt Rowell, Jeremy Sharp, Luke Towey.

Hawthorn

Best chance: Finn Maginness. The Hawks have an experienced side, so it's going to be difficult for any of their Rising Star hopefuls to be regulars in the team.

Eligible players: 11 – Dylan Moore (seven games), Changkuoth Jiath (two games), Will Day, Will Golds, Damon Greaves, Emerson Jeka, Jacob Koschitzke, Finn Maginness, Josh Morris, Jackson Ross, Matthew Walker.

Melbourne

Best chance: Kysaiah Pickett. The Demons got the small forward they were desperately after in the draft. Pickett is a strong chance to play in round one. Jackson – the No.3 overall draft pick – will play, too, but it's a matter of how the Demons use him alongside leading ruckman Max Gawn.

Eligible players: 10 – Kyle Dunkley (five games), Tom Sparrow (two games), Kade Chandler (one game), Toby Bedford, Austin Bradtke, Luke Jackson, James Jordan, Aaron Nietschke, Kysaiah Pickett, Trent Rivers.

North Melbourne

Best chance: Aiden Bonar. A fresh start at the Kangaroos will provide Bonar with the chance to show what he can do after only getting a handful of games at the Giants.

Eligible players: 10 – Aiden Bonar (six games), Bailey Scott (four games), Will Walker (four games), Curtis Taylor (two games), Kyron Hayden (one game), Charlie Comben, Joel Crocker, Jack Mahony, Flynn Perez, Tristan Xerri. 

Port Adelaide

Best chance: Jackson Mead. Garner and Bergman might be better chances of playing early, but Mead has already made a big impression at the Power. One of the best kicks at the club, he could debut sooner rather than later, especially with the Power showing they're willing to take a punt on youngsters.

Eligible players: 12 – Joel Garner (four games), Miles Bergman, Tobin Cox, Martin Frederick, Mitch Georgiades, Riley Grundy, Sam Hayes, Jackson Mead, Jake Pasini, Jake Patmore, Dylan Williams, Boyd Woodcock.

Richmond

Best chance: Jack Ross. It'll be tough for the reigning premiers to find room for young players. Ross looked more than capable in his seven games last season, but midfield spots are hard to find.

Eligible players: 12 – Jack Ross (seven games), Patrick Naish (two games), Callum Coleman-Jones (one game), Riley Collier-Dawkins, Noah Cumberland, Thomson Dow, Luke English, Will Martyn, Ben Miller, Bigoa Nyuon, Hugo Ralphsmith, Fraser Turner.

St Kilda

Best chance: Max King. The fourth overall pick from the 2018 draft is back into full training after an ankle syndesmosis injury last year. Should form a strong combination Tim Membrey and Paddy Ryder in attack, once he's cleared to play.

Eligible players: Eight – Doulton Langlands (three games), Jack Bell, Ryan Byrnes, Jack Bytel, Oscar Clavarino, Leo Connolly, Max King, Jack Mayo.

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Sydney

Best chance: Dylan Stephens. Classy outside runner who played plenty of senior football with Norwood in the SANFL last year. Should enjoy playing at the SCG and get an extended run in a Swans team that is rebuilding.

Eligible players: 14 – Hayden McLean (four games), Ryley Stoddart (four games), James Bell (two games), Justin McInerney (one game), Joel Amartey, Zac Foot, Will Gould, Matthew Ling, Harry Reynolds, Brady Rowles, Dylan Stephens, Elijah Taylor, Chad Warner, Sam Wicks.

West Coast

Best chance: Jarrod Cameron. The electric small forward added plenty of excitement to the Eagles' forward line last season. Will battle Jack Petruccelle for a spot in the side.

Eligible players: Nine – Jarrod Cameron (seven games), Jarrod Brander (three games), Harry Edwards, Luke Foley, Callum Jamieson, Ben Johnson, Mitch O'Neill, Xavier O'Neill, Bailey Williams.

Western Bulldogs

Best chance: Rhylee West. The 19-year-old midfielder showed enough in his three games at the end of last season to suggest he's going to push for a more regular role in the side.

Eligible players: Eight – Lachie Young (six games), Rhylee West (three games), Louis Butler, Riley Garcia, Buku Khamis, Callum Porter, Laitham Vandermeer, Cody Weightman.