The best players yet to earn a Rising Star nomination

A total of 18 Rising Star nominations have been handed out so far this year, with just six still up for grabs before the conclusion of the home and away season.

Those that have been nominated have combined to create a tight race for the overall prize, with the likes of Levi Ashcroft, Murphy Reid, Harvey Langford and Nate Caddy all in the mix.

But could a late-runner for the title emerge? Plenty of promising names are yet to earn a nomination despite having strong campaigns to date.

The AFL does look to reward a block of work in the final rounds of the season instead of one stellar showing, meaning a good handful of eligible young guns could be in line for the next few nominations.

Essendon's Zak Johnson could become the fifth Bomber to earn a nomination this year, potentially following in the footsteps of Archie Roberts, Nate Caddy, Angus Clarke and Isaac Kako.

West Coast's Jobe Shanahan is another piecing together a strong run of form after debuting in the second half of the season, with the Bendigo Pioneers product quickly emerging as a spearhead in the Eagles' attack.

The tall swingman isn't the only young Eagle who could earn a nomination, with teammates Tom Gross, Malakai Champion, Hamish Davis, Bo Allan and Archer Reid also getting looks this year with no nomination.

St Kilda's Alix Tauru looks to be on his way to a Rising Star nomination after an eye-catching first three games.

The key defender is one of six top 10 picks from last year's AFL Draft who is yet to earn a nomination, with his teammate Tobie Travaglia, Gold Coast's Leo Lombard and Crow Sid Draper also waiting for theirs.

Pick 7 selection Josh Smillie is yet to debut for Richmond and Carlton's Pick 3 Jagga Smith has been sidelined for the year due to an ACL, with both looming as contenders for 2026.

Others to keep an eye on this year include Geelong second-year midfielder George Stevens, who had a stellar debut, Western Bulldogs livewire Cooper Hynes, recent Richmond debutant Taj Hotton and Suns tall Ethan Read.

Hotton is one of several Tigers waiting for a nomination, with fellow first-year players Jasper Alger, Harry Armstrong, Jonty Faull and Tom Sims all showing signs as forward options at Punt Road.

Hynes' teammate Josh Dolan could also be one to watch, having played 11 games under Luke Beveridge this year, while St Kilda's Isaac Keeler has been another promising performer after debuting.

Port Adelaide have had a look at both Joe Berry and Christian Moraes in 2025, with senior recalls potentially placing them in contention, with the same to be said of Brisbane's Will McLachlan, who has been a strong performer at VFL level.

Carlton's Harry O'Farrell, North Melbourne pair Cooper Harvey and Robert Hansen, Giants ruckman Nick Madden and Hawks onballer Henry Hustwaite are also worth noting.