Melbourne coach Paul Roos says Jayden Hunt deserves a Rising Star nomination

PAUL Roos says there is a flaw in the Rising Star system and it would be a “travesty” if Jayden Hunt does not score the final nomination.

Jayden Hunt. Picture: Getty Images.

PAUL Roos says there is a flaw in the Rising Star system and it would be a “travesty” if Jayden Hunt does not score the final nomination.

The outgoing Melbourne coach rated Hunt among the best young players in the competition.

Roos was unsure of the solution, but said it was “ludicrous” that Hunt remained ineligible for the award with just one game remaining.

The Demons already boast a club-record four nominees this season — Clayton Oliver, James Harmes, Christian Petracca and Oscar McDonald.

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Last year key forward Jesse Hogan was crowned the overall winner.

Hunt has played every game since debuting in Round 4, averaging 15 disposals and boasting blistering pace off halfback.

The Brighton Grammar product was a recruiting gem for the Demons, plucked at No. 53 in the 2013 draft after club scouts tracked his schoolmates Josh Kelly and Christian Salem closely.

Hunt, 21, suffered back injuries before this year but Roos said he used that time to work hard and change his body shape in preparation for AFL demands.

Jayden Hunt has been impressive for Melbourne this year. Picture: Getty Images.

“There’s one game to do and it’d be an absolute travesty if he didn’t get a nomination for the Rising Star,” Roos said today.

“I can’t believe that he could be our best young player potentially — I haven’t seen our best-and-fairest votes — but he should be in the top 3-4 players in the comp and hasn’t been nominated.

“It just shows you what a flaw in the system there is. He could be the best young player in the comp this year and hasn’t got a nomination.

“I don’t know how you can have a player that’s clearly in the best six young players in the comp and hasn’t been nominated.”

Rising Star judges nominate one player every round to become eligible for the overall award.

At the end of the season judges vote 5-4-3-2-1 on who has delivered the most in that season, with suspended players ineligible.

To be eligible to be nominated for the award, a player must be younger than 21 years of age and have played 10 or fewer senior games before the beginning of the season

Roos coaches his last game against Geelong tomorrow and was thanked by president Glen Bartlett at the MCG today.

Roos said he had removed himself from list management discussions as the Dees face tough calls and former co-captains Jack Trengove and Jack Grimes and spearhead Chris Dawes.

Originally published as Melbourne coach Paul Roos says Jayden Hunt deserves a Rising Star nomination