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.
9. Isaac Kako
If there was a pre-season Rising Star, Isaac Kako would have hands on the trophy already.
Two multiple-goal hauls this pre-season against the Bulldogs and Cats, including a four-goal performance against the latter, has rightly excited Bombers fans crying out for a spark in attack.
Jake Stringer's exit has left the door ajar for an immediate Kako debut, creating an exciting youthful combination with close mate and second-year key forward Nate Caddy.
Gaining comparisons to Hawthorn's Nick Watson, it would be unsurprising to see pocket-rocket Kako achieve Watson's 25-goal feat in his first season, as the 175cm Bomber is dangerous the second the ball hits the deck inside 50.
