Carlton has come back to life in the last six weeks, after the departure of coach Michael Voss, and young defender Harry Dean has been a key factor in the Blues' newfound success.
Speaking on the Six Points AFL podcast, Mark Stevens and Daniel Harford believe the 18-year-old is the favourite for the Rising Star award.
“Yeah, Harry Dean, he's been sort of under the radar a little bit, let's just forget about the midfielders medal and the midfielders awards. I think we've got a clear leader now for the rising star," Stevens said.
“Jagga's been great, and Duursma's been ok, but this guy's doing something as a teenager that teenagers aren't supposed to do, locking down a key role.
“He's the best performing teenager that I can remember, since Chris Grant in 1990, he kicked 50 goals as a 17-year-old in his first year, this guy's matching that."
"I always give extra value to key position players; it's much tougher than running around in the middle.
“I think he's a clear leader at this stage. I've had a few texts about him; people are in love with what this guy is doing, future leaders, 200 games plus.”
While fellow key-defender Jacob Weitering has been out through injury, Dean has stepped up and filled Weitering's role, playing on the opposition's best key forward.
Over the last five weeks, Dean has matched up with some of the leading talls in the league, holding Mitch Georgiades and Nate Caddy to just one goal, and keeping Aaron Cadman and Jake Waterman goalless.
Daniel Harford has been impressed with Dean's performance while Weitering has been absent.
“Well, he's hard not to like, if you watch Carlton play, especially in the last eight weeks when they've got their groove back a little bit, he's hard not to like," Harford said.
“Harry's had to fill that main vacancy, because Jacob Weitering's not there at the moment, so he's had to stand up and take on the big monsters forward ahead of the ball for the opposition, and he's doing a hell of a job, he is special, love his competitiveness, love his aggression."
Harford believes Dean is the most valuable player out of this year's rising star crop.
“In terms of the most valuable player of the rising star crop, to their team, I think Harry Dean is the most valuable player to their team," Harford said.
"Duursma's had a good year. I like what he's going to do for the Eagles. Jagga's had some moments as well, but Harry Dean is the most valuable player for his team.
“If I had my vote, if I had my 5-4-3-2-1, he'd be my five at the moment.”
