2009 Rising Star Predictions

[HH3]

Very very early i know, but im pretty excited about some of the youngsters running around in the NAB Cup already.

Just wondering what peoples thoughts are on who could take out the 2009 Rising Star.

From what ive seen I think the best chances are Zeibell from the Roos and Robertson from Carlton

Reasons for this are that in Zeibells first game, the 17 year old was going into contests harder than seasoned veterans. Diving headfirst onto the ball in the hardest, fastest comp in the country is pretty gutsy. Then in the last Qrt he went forward and rejuvinated the forward line. All game the Roos were bombing it long to Hale, and Carlton just ran it back out. When Zeibell went forward he held the ball in there, kicking two himself and making a contest so Boomer Harvey could crumb a goal.

Robertson also played in the same game as Zeibell and was a standout for Carlton. Did everything right. He was attacking the ball like he'd been playing in the AFL for years. At about the 10 second mark of the game he ran into Firrito backing into the pack and made heavy contact. He brushed himself off and got back to it. He got punched in the nose coursing it to bleed, brushed himself off and got back to it.

What do all the armchair experts think???

[Dutchy]

Ziebell will get game time as its Laidleys last year, to survive he needs youngsters giving the club hope, look to teams that have coaches in the last year of their contracts, or exceptional talents in poor teams (Palmer)

[Booney]

From my mates at Westies who told me Hartlett was ready to play AFL I can only say how right they appear to be. He looked cool under pressure and spent some time on O'Keefe who is one of Sydney's best in their front half and held his own. Might play more games than he or the club would have thought in his first season.

[Dirko]

From Carlton Mitch Robertson stands out as the one who'll play the most games. Yarran will play. Gartlett if he gets upgraded from the Rookie list may surprise.

[Pup]

I like Masten, Rich and Gumbleton with Ziebell as my roughie

Masten will play 18-22 games this year barring injury of course, Had a groin problem last year but still proved he can cut it in the midfield against more experienced players, Is quick, flashy and gets a lot of the footy. Did not use the footy well at all in the NAB cup but normally has pretty good skills. Is a real show IMO.

Rich is ready to step straight into senior footy and make an impact, will surprise a few people with just how good he will be straight off the bat. Will be very hard to beat.

Gumbleton is a player with an unbelievable amount of potential, could easily be one of the best players in the AFL within 5 years. Has had injury problems so far but if he can get on the park enough has the abilty to be one of the best Key Position Prospects in a long time.

[JK]

Pretty tough field this year, with all the names mentioned looking a chance to stake a claim.

Other than Dangerfield and Gumbleton, are there any of last years group eligible for this years award?

Also, we're still yet to see Natanui and I didn't see any of the DeesvHawks game on the weekend, did Watts play?

[Pup]

Natanui probably wont play until round 4-5 because of injury and no Watts did not play against Hawthorn on the weekend.

Josh Hill, Jarryd Morton are the only 2 players that got nominated last year that are still eligible to win the award.

[JK]

Cheers for that Pup ... Given the award isn't run on a votes-per-round basis I wouldn't rule Nat out, although naturally it would leave him well behind the 8-ball.

[am Bays]

I'm hoping the hard work Sellsy has done over the last two years switches into overdrive and he dominates and proves the doubters wrong.

[Sorry Dude]

Cheers for that Pup ... Given the award isn't run on a votes-per-round basis I wouldn't rule Nat out, although naturally it would leave him well behind the 8-ball.

It only takes 1 round to get noticed. so if you are in the face of the umpires and getting enough of the ball and being noticed there is your nomination. then from there it could only take a run of 5 or 6 games of good footy to win it. but palmer did put quite a few good games together last year. IMO my money is going to either ziebell or rich.

[Pup]

Cheers for that Pup ... Given the award isn't run on a votes-per-round basis I wouldn't rule Nat out, although naturally it would leave him well behind the 8-ball.

It only takes 1 round to get noticed. so if you are in the face of the umpires and getting enough of the ball and being noticed there is your nomination. then from there it could only take a run of 5 or 6 games of good footy to win it. but palmer did put quite a few good games together last year. IMO my money is going to either ziebell or rich.

The umpires do not make the nominations for the rising star award.

Yeah i realise Nat could still feature heavily but i see him more as a development player for WCE and i expect him to play a fair amount of time up forward for the first couple of years, especially this one.

[Sorry Dude]

Cheers for that Pup ... Given the award isn't run on a votes-per-round basis I wouldn't rule Nat out, although naturally it would leave him well behind the 8-ball.

It only takes 1 round to get noticed. so if you are in the face of the umpires and getting enough of the ball and being noticed there is your nomination. then from there it could only take a run of 5 or 6 games of good footy to win it. but palmer did put quite a few good games together last year. IMO my money is going to either ziebell or rich.

The umpires do not make the nominations for the rising star award.

Yeah i realise Nat could still feature heavily but i see him more as a development player for WCE and i expect him to play a fair amount of time up forward for the first couple of years, especially this one.

I realise the umpires dont pick the eventual winner, but if the umps are always saying his name or he is near the ball winning free kicks etc it is a good way to get noticed. I think that made sense.

[CoverKing]

Along with Booney, Hartlett will give it a fair crack. He gets the ball and uses it extremely well!
I think Paul Stewart from the power might have a crack at it, he is still eligible i think? and another pre season under his belt he could be in with a real shot. Last defender to win the award was Jared Rivers i believe. Not too many non on ballers win it so will be interesting

[CK]

Matthew Broadbent - Port Adelaide. Looks ready made, if he gets in early, to make a real impact.

[JK]

Matthew Broadbent - Port Adelaide. Looks ready made, if he gets in early, to make a real impact.

*cough* LUV CHILD *cough*

[ChocolateNBlue]

Jack Zeibell for me. looks to have huge talent, cant wait for round 1

[Dutchy]

I'm hoping the hard work Sellsy has done over the last two years switches into overdrive and he dominates and proves the doubters wrong.

Would love to see it, but highly doubt it....

[lion heart]

mitch robinson after last weeks impressive performance

[Pag]

Daniel Rich for me.

[Niri or Curri]

Daniel Rich or Masten,