The AFL pre-season is starting to heat up and at AFL clubs all around the country players are looking to prove their worth and earn a spot in their team’s Round 1 side.

Here’s a brief insight into who your club’s best contender is to take out the coveted Rising Star award in 2016.

The current eligibility rules state that to be in contention, a player must have been under 21 years of age on January 1, have played no more than 10 AFL games, and not be suspended at any point during the season.

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Adelaide – Wayne Milera

One of just two draftees for the Crows in 2015, local product Milera was taken with selection 11 in the National Draft.

The classy half-forward stands at 183cm with a light frame weighing just 83kg, yet it’s his pace and decision-making which could see him make an immediate impact for the Crows in 2016.

Milera already has experience against the larger bodies, playing 11 SANFL games (including two finals) in 2015 where he flourished and produced a highlights reel, which must’ve got Don Pyke and the Crows coaching staff excited.

However, he’s still not in the Crows’ best 22 at this early stage.

Brisbane – Josh Schache

The Lions have a whopping 17 players eligible for the Rising Star award in 2016, yet you couldn’t go past boom recruit Josh Schache when it comes to selecting a favourite. Taken with the second pick in the national draft, Schache is a 199cm key forward who looks set to make an immediate impact at AFL level.

He booted a whopping 24 goals in the Under 18 championships, as well as 34 goals in just seven TAC Cup matches. The left-footer’s shot on goal is virtually pin-point, he marks well above his head and has elite endurance for his size (14.1 Beep Test).



Schache is exactly what Lions fans have been begging for since the retirement of Jonathan Brown. Local Queensland product and ball-magnet Ben Keays is also one to look out for in 2016.

Carlton – Jacob Weitering

The first selection in the 2015 draft has been touted as potentially being one of the greatest defenders the game has seen in recent years, prior to even making his debut. He has already drawn comparisons to two time All-Australian and Geelong premiership star Harry Taylor in regards to both his defensive style and leadership qualities.

Weitering’s battles with fellow draftee Josh Schache were well documented throughout the 2015 season and at 195cm tall he is virtually unbeatable in the air, reading the play well and either spoiling or marking with ease deep in defence.

Weitering is a ready-made AFL footballer who will make his debut in Round 1, relieving some of veteran Michael Jamison’s defensive workload.

Collingwood – Darcy Moore

After a busy trade period, the Magpies didn’t have their first draft selection until pick 32 in the draft and at this early stage it doesn’t appear as though any of their draftees will make an immediate impact at senior level.

The Pies’ Rising Star favourite for 2016 will be son of a gun and key forward Darcy Moore. The former No.9 draft pick played nine games in 2015, his best performance coming against the Western Bulldogs in Round 17 where he managed to slot five goals straight in a loss.

Moore truly has it all when it comes to the ideal modern day forward. He’s quick off the mark, agile, tall, possesses a great pair of hands and rarely misses in front of goal.

With one pre-season already under his belt and AFL experience to his name, Moore must be considered one of the favourites to take out the award this year.



Essendon – Jayden Laverde

The Bombers have a number of young options this year after nabbing highly talented youngsters Darcy Parish and Aaron Francis with successive picks in the draft. Despite Parish and Francis both potentially making their debuts in Round 1, it’s hard to go past midfielder Jayden Laverde.

After being a draft slider in 2014, Laverde proved his worth at the Bombers last season, making his debut in Round 15. The dynamic midfielder played the last nine games of the season and looked right at home playing along the wing and half-forward flank.

Laverde is extremely versatile at 189cm and can be used virtually anywhere with his pace and strength. Laverde should get more of an opportunity in the midfield this year.

Fremantle – Lachie Weller

At this stage it would be fair to say that none of the Dockers’ recent draftees will be winning the Rising Star award in 2016, but second-year young gun Lachie Weller is a genuine contender.

After being labelled as being ‘really, really ridiculously good looking’ by the media in 2015, Weller will be keen to let his footy do the talking this year.

The 182cm brother of St Kilda’s Maverick Weller has elite foot skills with a flashy side step, as well as possessing genuine ball-winning qualities. Currently on the verge of the Dockers’ best 22.

Geelong – Jake Kolodjashnij

Young defender Jake Kolodjashnij is the Cats’ only genuine Rising Star contender in 2016 after playing nine names in his second season at Geelong.

The taller twin brother of the Gold Coast’s Kade Kolodjashnij is extremely athletic and reads the ball well in defence. At times in 2015 he struggled to keep up with the pace of AFL, yet at the same time remained fairly composed down back.



The 20-year-old has tidy foot skills and the ability to take a strong overhead mark. He should remain a key member of the side’s best 22 alongside the more experienced Harry Taylor and Tom Lonergan.

Gold Coast – Peter Wright

Probably a surprise selection considering the Suns have recently drafted gun West-Australian Callum Ah Chee. Wright is a big 203cm ruckman/key-forward who was taken with the Suns’ first selection (No.8) in the 2014 Draft, playing just three games in his debut season.

Wright dominated at TAC Cup level, possessing a deadly leg in front of goal and drawing comparisons to three-time premiership star Brad Ottens.

There are some slight concerns over Wright’s ability to compete with the game’s best ruckman, often being pushed off the ball with ease. His injuries have also prevented his progress over the past two seasons.

More opportunities should open up for Wright in 2016 due to the departure of Charlie Dixon.

Great Western Sydney – Jack Steele

The Giants have added three top 20 talents in Matthew Kennedy, Jacob Hopper and Harrison Himmelberg to their list in 2016, yet youngster Jack Steele has already proven his capabilities at AFL level and because of that is slightly ahead in the pecking order.

The 187cm Steele was a draft bolter in 2014, yet fell into the hands of the Giants after being locked away as an Academy selection. Steele played seven games in 2015, winning plenty of the ball and tackling well (38 tackles).

Steele possess elite foot skills and is an endurance machine who may just find himself right at home on the wing, now that the dreaded substitute vest is no more.



Stay tuned for Part 2.