The 2025 season is nearly underway, and a suite of youngsters are set to make their case for the AFL Rising Star award after what is regarded as one of the deepest draft pools in AFL history.
Meanwhile, a few overage talents are predicted to blossom in their second seasons at AFL level, making this year's Rising Star contest as competitive as ever.
Quickly, a refresher on the criteria to be eligible for the award.
- Players must be under the age of 21 as of January 1, 2025.
- Players can only have played 10 AFL games or less in previous seasons.
- Players must not be suspended at AFL or state-league level during the season.
Last year, second-year Cat Ollie Dempsey took home the award, albeit thanks to in-season suspensions to Harley Reid and Sam Darcy, who were tipped to claim the award over the Geelong forward.
But in a stacked crop of talent, this year's race is anyone's for the taking. Here is Zero Hanger's verdict on the top contenders for this year's Rising Star award.
7. Harvey Langford
The Demons' first pick in last year's draft, Langford has impressed in his first pre-season with his athleticism and power. A midfielder-forward hyrbid, Langford can burst from the clearance as well as be threatening in front of goal.
Learning off incredible leaders in Max Gawn, Christian Petracca and Jack Viney, Langford will undoubtedly harness the lessons he learns as a draftee.
Last year, Caleb Windsor firmed early as a Rising Star candidate under the aforementioned trio's guidance, and it would be unsurprising to see Langford do the same in his debut year.
