The AFL must seriously consider changing their nomination process for the Rising Star award to ensure that Fremantle youngster Andrew Brayshaw is recognised for his season.

Brayshaw won’t play again this season as he recovers from the broken jaw sustained during the western derby. But, during his 17 games this season, he has performed as well, and often better, than many of the players who have already been nominated.

This isn’t to denigrate any of the other players. Simply producing a performance that is deemed worthy of nomination is not easy for young players.

But Brayshaw is clearly among the elite group of first year players this season and when the photo of 2018’s best young players is taken in the minutes before the Rising Star ceremony next month, Brayshaw deserves to be there.

He’s played in the heat of the midfield all year and held his own. Brayshaw’s ability to compete against bigger bodies has also been a feature and he’s laid more tackles than any of the players who have already been nominated.

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Two rounds remain and quality players such as Aaron Naughton, Charlie Spargo and Bailey Banfield are yet to be nominated.

They have had strong seasons and would be extremely deserving if they are nominated.

But Brayshaw’s opportunity to be nominated was taken from him as a result of a non-football act.

He didn’t lose form and get dropped. He didn’t suffer a soft tissue injury. His season ended because of a punch which led to an eight-week suspension

There is already a precedent for adding a player to the list of nominees. The AFL nominated Brisbane’s Ashley McGrath and Collingwood’s Matthew Lokan in round 22 2003.

McGrath won a premiership several weeks later and went on to have a fantastic 214-game career.

Lokan played 22 home-and-away games in his debut season then went on to play in the Magpies’ grand final loss. His career ended after only 46 matches.

The league decided they both deserved to be recognised and nominated them both in the last round.

The Rising Star is a big award with a terrific function and it’s an honour for players to be nominated. Their names are permanently recognised in the AFL Season Guide and nominations are always listed in among their career honours.

The nomination process shouldn’t be changed for the sake of it and the world won’t end if Brayshaw isn’t nominated. But this a unique scenario and he deserves to have his case seriously discussed.