MAKE some more room in that packed Hawthorn trophy cabinet.

Hawks defender Ryan Burton is now the clear favourite for this year’s Rising Star award and is edging ever closer to becoming the third Hawk to claim the honour.

Having firmed to $1.90 odds with Crownbet after his Round 14 performance, Burton appears a shoe-in to join esteemed company and win the award.

If he does so, he will become the third Hawthorn player — behind Nick Holland in 1995 and Sam Mitchell in 2003 — to be named as the competition’s best youngster.

Finals Week 1

And, following yet another impressive individual display in Hawthorn’s upset 14-point victory over Adelaide on Thursday night, such a conclusion now appears inevitable.

The 20-year-old, moved into the defence following a junior career where he predominantly played forward, has been a rare shining light in a season of disappointment for the Hawks.

Showing composure beyond his years in an undermanned Hawthorn backline, Burton has demonstrated an innate defensive ability — making him the perfect modern half back.

He’s also the perfect fit for an Alastair Clarkson side, with his foot skills out of defence one of his best and most important assets. According to Champion Data, Burton’s kicking efficiency of 82.5 per cent is the best of the 139 players to average 20 disposals or more this season.

He can mark, averaging 5.9 per game, and intercept, averaging 6.1 intercept possessions, while his metres gained stands at an impressive 363m per week.

And he can also lock down on an opponent — on Thursday night, he kept Taylor Walker goalless in the 51 minutes Champion Data logged him spending directly on the Adelaide captain.

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Essendon youngster Andrew McGrath had initially been the hot favourite to pip Burton, though the statistical comparison between the two suggests the Hawk is rightfully now the leader.

Playing in similar positions across half back, Burton has McGrath covered for disposals, intercepts, metres gained, rebounds, tackles and marks.

And while Port Adelaide midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper and Carlton defender Caleb Marchbank are also in the running, it’s clear to see why Burton heads the queue.

One of the draft crop’s brightest young prospects in his bottom-age year, a broken leg saw Burton slip down the order. He was eventually drafted to Hawthorn at Pick 19.

It was a spot the Hawks had only secured in the draft after trading Jed Anderson to North Melbourne just a month earlier — with the club electing to take a punt on the South Australian.

They haven’t looked back. And though it’s in defence where Burton, now in his second year and with 16 games under his belt, has made his name, it’s forward where his future lies.

Speaking on Fox Footy after last Thursday night’s game, Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton even suggested he may move inside 50 sooner rather than later.

“He’s very good at intercept marking and he takes on the opposition,” Brereton said.

“He doesn’t shy away from putting a sidestep on down on the last line of defence either.

“You’ve got to remember he grew up as a forward. He’s gone back for his introduction to footy and he’s been so good that they’ve kept him there.

“At some stage, this kid will go forward and kick goals. (That will happen) in probably another 20 or 30 games I’d reckon.”