Lachlan Sholl one of nine Adelaide debutants overlooked for Rising Star nominations this year
One of the strangest years in AFL history has presented a host of top rookies with the opportunity to strut their stuff. Al Paton assesses which of your club’s debutants provided a taste of exciting future.
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At least one club is going to be unhappy when the final nomination for the 2020 Rising Star award is announced next week.
Adelaide and Melbourne fans were both aggrieved after Lachlan Sholl and Trent Rivers were overlooked in favour of Magpie Isaac Quaynor in Round 17.
Sholl was arguably best afield in the Crows’ win against Carlton with 24 disposals and two goals while Rivers’ 16 touches in his eighth game also included two goals, one of them the matchwinner against GWS.
SCROLL DOWN FOR ANALYSIS OF YOUR CLUB’S RISING STARS
Sholl’s teammates took to social media to express their shock the youngster wasn’t nominated on Monday night.
Can someone please explain to me why Lachlan Sholl missed out on something today...?
— Tex Walker (@texwalker13) September 15, 2020
Hang on. Hold up. Wait a second. There’s something wrong here. Correct me if I’m wrong, but that doesn’t say Lachlan Sholl... https://t.co/MUddK8MfQd
— Tom Doedee (@TDoedee31) September 15, 2020
I really rate Isaac no doubt he’s going to be a star BUT my man was BOG ... what is going on here?! https://t.co/V4ExZQD0BV
— Brodie smith (@Brodiesmith33) September 15, 2020
Sholl and Rivers are leading candidates for the Round 18 nomination but only one can get it – and both could miss out if another qualified youngster has a big game in the final home-and-away round.
The Crows have a number of candidates, led by Sholl, midfielder Harry Schoenbnerg and forward Shane McAdam, after blooding nine debutants this season, clearly the most of any club.
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Sydney has unveiled seven first-gamers followed by Brisbane, Collingwood, Gold Coast, Fremantle and GWS with six.
The Suns have snared an AFL-leading four Rising Star nominations but Docker Caleb Serong, who was nominated after Round 8, is the $1.60 favourite to take out the trophy.
Big fan of the Rising Star award and a big fan of Isaac Quaynor so nothing to do with him but someone had dropped the ball this week - Lachlan Sholl 24 disposals 2 goals and 600+ metres gained. Had to be nominated
— Rob Harding (@robharding21) September 15, 2020
Geelong, Port Adelaide and Richmond have had the fewest debutants this season (two each) – not surprising for teams likely to finish in the top four. Fans of Essendon (three debutants), North Melbourne (four) and Carlton (four) may have been hoping to see some more fresh faces in 2020.
It is anticipated the AFL will hold an awards extravaganza on Thursday September 24 featuring the Rising Star, All-Australian team, AFLPA MVP and Coaches Association champion player of the year.
ADELAIDE
2020 debutants: Fischer McAsey (10 games), Will Hamill (8), Shane McAdam (12), Andrew McPherson (8), Kieran Strachan (1), Harry Schoenberg (7), Lachie Sholl (7), Jordon Butts (2)
Rising star nominees: None
The Crows have had blooded the most new faces in the comp this year (nine), and by a decent margin. And the results are starting to bear fruit late in the season with McAdam, Schoenberg and Sholl all key members of the home-and-away threepeat. Teammates couldn’t believe Sholl missed out on the Round 17 nomination, surely one of the trio will get the nod in Round 18.
BRISBANE LIONS
2020 debutants: Deven Robertson (1 game), Tom Berry (6), Connor Ballenden (2 games), Jack Payne (3), Tom Fullarton (2), Keidean Coleman (3)
Rising Star nominees: Brandon Starcevich (Round 13)
The Lions have unveiled six new faces although most of them haven’t stayed in the seniors for long. There are two major exceptions – Payne is holding down fullback after Harris Andrews went down injured and Coleman has added an extra dose of X-factor to an already exciting forward half coming into a finals series in which the Lions have the rails run to a potential home Grand Final.
CARLTON
2020 debutants: Sam Philp (2 games), Matt Cottrell (5), Josh Honey (1)
Rising Star nominees: None
Not too many green shoots this year in terms of Blues newbies. Honey had just four disposals in his single game and Philp 14 touches in two senior appearances. Cottrell produced the highlight of the Blues’ class of 2020, booting the matchwinning goal against Sydney with the accompanying “Greek freak” celebration.
COLLLINGWOOD
2020 debutants: Tyler Brown (7 games), Will Kelly (1), Atu Bosenavulagi (3), Mark Keane (1), Trey Ruscoe (4), Max Lynch (1)
Rising Star nominees: Isaac Quaynor (R17)
The Pies have delivered bang for buck from their six first-gamers. Tyler Brown delivered one of the feel-good moments of a surreal Round 1 when he combined with brother Callum for a goal at the mostly empty Marvel Stadium – with his mum and dad in a corporate box. Trey Ruscoe’s mum missed her son’s first goal because she was having “a quick durry” and the Pies’ debut video for Max Lynch was a highlight in itself. It wasn’t all good news though, with Will Kelly suffering an ugly elbow injury in his first game. Isaac Quaynor, who is still eligible for the Rising Star award after making his debut last year, scored a nomination for his 17-disposal game against Gold Coast.
ESSENDON
2020 debutants: Ned Cahill (3 games), Sam Draper (7), Irving Mosquito (4)
Rising Star nominees: None
Not a long list for the Bombers but Draper looks a great find in the ruck at just the right time with Tom Bellchambers calling time on his career. He can count himself unlucky not to have earnt a nomination after his 122 KFC SuperCoach point game against Richmond. Mosquito made his exciting debut that night but sadly suffered a knee injury just four weeks later.
FREMANTLE
2020 debutants: Sam Sturt (3 games), Hayden Young (5), Caleb Serong (13), Michael Frederick (9), Tobe Watson (3), Liam Henry (3)
Rising Star nominees: Sam Sturt (R1), Caleb Serong (R8)
The Dockers have one of the best crops of debutants led by Rising Star favourite Caleb Serong, who has averaged 16 disposals, four tackles, three inside-50s and 3.5 clearances a game. But they have also been hit by injury, with Sturt and Young both having their debut seasons cut short by ankle surgery.
GEELONG
2020 debutants: Brad Close (8 games), Ben Jarvis (1)
Rising Star nominees: None
The Cats are well and truly in the premiership window, with Jarvis – a very late inclusion for Gary Rohan against Richmond – just the second new face this season. Close has been a handy addition, another Stephen Wells special plucked from the SANFL (via North Gambier) in the rookie draft.
GOLD COAST
2020 debutants: Matt Rowell (5 games), Noah Anderson (16), Connor Budarick (15), Izak Rankine (11), Jeremy Sharp (1), Sam Flanders (5)
Rising Star nominees: Matt Rowell (R2), Connor Budarick (R3), Izak Rankine (R6), Noah Anderson (R7)
The Suns have had no shortage of high draft picks in the past decade but could this be the best crop of the lot? Rowell was a lay down misere for the Rising Star until he went down injured in just his fifth game – and bookies still aren’t ruling him out. Close mate Anderson is second-favourite behind Caleb Serong and Izak Rankine has delivered some of the highlights of the season. And the best news for Gold Coast is they all reportedly want to stay on the glitter strip.
GWS GIANTS
2020 debutants: Tom Green (5 games), Lachie Ash (12), Xavier O’Halloran (2), Tom Hutchesson (1), Jake Riccardi (4)
Rising Star nominees: Tom Green (R4), Jake Riccardi (R14)
The Giants’ conveyor belt of elite talent has slowed a bit this year but Green, Ash and Riccardi have all shown signs they will be seriously good players. Riccardi had recruiters from 17 other clubs kicking themselves after GWS was able to snap him up from Werribee in the VFL and he booted eight goals in his first three AFL games.
HAWTHORN
2020 debutants: Harry Jones (1 game), Will Day (10), Josh Morris (4), Finn Maginess (1)
Rising Star nominees: Will Day (R16)
The Hawks appear ready to enter a major rebuild, so where is the exciting young talent? A well documented lack of draft picks has made it tough for recruiters at Waverley but they have definitely found one in assured defender Will Day, who will have a key role next season with James Sicily on the sidelines.
MELBOURNE
2020 debutants: Toby Bedford (2 games), Kysaiah Pickett (13), Trent Rivers (8), Luke Jackson (6)
Rising Star nominees: Luke Jackson (R10), Kysaiah Pickett (R11)
Demon fans would have felt pretty good about their next crop after watching the thrilling win against the Giants. Pickett looked dangerous every time he went near the ball and Rivers’ impressive display included the matchwinning goal. No.3 draft pick Jackson also showed plenty of promise before hurting his hamstring.
NORTH MELBOURNE
2020 debutants: Jack Mahony (10 games), Tristan Xerri (4), Lachie Hosie (5)
Rising Star nominees: Curtis Taylor (R5)
Tough times for the list management team at Arden St. The Roos have used 38 players in 2020 and the pick of the youngsters are Curtis Taylor – who played two games last year, meaning he’s still eligible for this year’s Rising Star award – and key defender Ben McKay, who made his debut in 2017 but has found his feet as a key back this year.
PORT ADELAIDE
2020 debutants: Mitch Georgiades (7 games), Boyd Woodcock (4)
Rising Star nominees: Mitch Georgiades (R9)
The Power unveiled one of the most exciting crops of debutants in recent seasons in 2019, and some of those players – Connor Rozee, Zak Butters, Xavier Duursma, Peter Ladhams – are now keys to a premiership push. It’s been more flashes from this year’s class but both Georgiades and Woodcock have featured on the highlight reel at different stages.
RICHMOND
2020 debutants: Jake Aarts (12 games), Thomson Dow (2)
Rising Star nominees: None
At 25, Aarts is way too old to claim the Rising Star Award but he’s a great story of perseverance. He earned a rookie list spot at the end of last year after six years in the VFL and is now a key part of another Tigers’ premiership tilt. Dow got a taste late in the season and we’re likely to see more of him next year.
ST KILDA
2020 debutants: Max King (15 games), Ryan Byrnes (1), Jack Bytel (3)
Rising Star nominees: Max King (R12)
King missed all of his first AFL season with a knee injury but has been worth the wait, booting 19 goals to rank second in the club’s goalkicking behind Dan Butler and first among first-year players for contested marks and score involvements.
SYDNEY
2020 debutants: Dylan Stephens (7 games), Chad Warner (2), Elijah Taylor (4), Matt Ling (3), Sam Wicks (7), Zac Foot (2)
Rising Star nominees: Justin McInerney (R15)
The Swans are quietly turning over their list with exciting moments from most of their six first-gamers plus McInerney, who played one game in 2019. Taylor’s future is clouded after he was suspended for breaching COVID-19 rules then charged over an alleged assault.
WEST COAST
2020 debutants: Harry Edwards (1 game), Nic Reid (3), Xavier O’Neill (5), Bailey Williams (2)
Rising Star nominees: None
Just bit-part roles from the Eagles newbies this year, which is fair enough when the team is challenging for its second flag in three seasons.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
2020 debutants: Ben Cavarra (3 games), Laitham Vandermeer (12), Louis Butler (2), Cody Weightman (3), Callum Porter (1)
Rising Star nominees: None
The Dogs have somehow managed to have the youngest team on the park just about every week since their fairytale 2016 premiership, and there are more exciting glimpses of the future in 2020. Vandermeer averaged almost a goal a game before suffering a season-ending hamstring injury, while Weightman won’t forget his debut in a hurry – taking a speckie with his first touch then snapping a brilliant banana goal with his first kick.
RISING STAR ODDS
$1.60 Caleb Serong
$3.50 Noah Anderson
$10 Izak Rankine
$15 Max King
$21 Matt Rowell
$34 Brandon Starcevich, Jake Riccardi, Connor Budarick
$41 Trent Rivers, Mitch Georgiades
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