Vote now on the real rising star of 2012 Sam Landsberger
Herald Sun
August 29, 2012 12:15PMTHERE have been 118 debutants this season. But, if you ask Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson, the Rising Star award is a lock to head to Daniel Talia.
The Crows defender is a hot favourite despite playing nine games last year and joining the club in 2010.
He will not have to compete with GWS ball magnet Toby Greene, who was ruled ineligible with a one-match suspension earlier this year, and football experts have been quick to criticise the criteria for the award.
“Who’s going to be the better player (Greene or Talia) in five years?” North Melbourne champion David King asked today.
To win the AFL’s award you must enter the season aged 21 or under and have played 10 or fewer games.
That means Talia also doesn’t have to compete with mature-aged recruits such as Tory Dickson, Sam Gibson, Jon Giles and Dayne Zorko – despite those players entering this season with no AFL experience.
We’ve compiled a list of 10 nominees to find out who you think is the best first-year player of 2012.
The criteria is short and simple: to be eligible you must have made your AFL debut this season - that means even Israel Folau is in the mix.
And yes, Toby Greene is also in the running. And that means Talia, like with Mitch Wallis, aren't due to that pair making their debuts last season.
Read the profiles below and vote now on who you think is the best first-year player of 2012.http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/vote-now-on-the-real-rising-star-of-2012/story-e6frexx0-12264606947241. JEREMY CAMERON (Greater Western Sydney) - Games: 16 Goals: 29 Behinds: 15
2. TORY DICKSON (Western Bulldogs) - Games: 16 Goals: 22 Behinds: 9
3. JAMIE ELLIOTT (Collingwood) - Games: 12 Disposals: 135 Tackles: 57
4. SAM GIBSON (North Melbourne) - Games: 11 Disposals: 235 Efficiency: 77.4 per cent
5. JON GILES (Greater Western Sydney) - Games: 19 Goals: 15 Hitouts: 419
6. TOBY GREENE (Greater Western Sydney) - Games: 18 Disposals: 501 Score assists: 16
7. STEVE MORRIS (Richmond) - Games: 20 Efficiency: 80 per cent Rebound 50s: 36
The mature-age defender has evolved into one of the recruits of the year, missing just one game and adding a layer of resilience to Richmond’s leaky defence. Morris, 23, boasts raw pace and a knack for closing key opposition players out of matches – just ask Cyril Rioli. The dashing defender blanketed the Hawks star as the Tigers steamrolled the top team in Round 9, even burning free up forward and kicking a memorable goal. Morris also has the scalp of Steven Milne, who he shut down on the Friday night stage, with his closing speed, tackling and pressure acts quickly transforming him into one of the coaches’ favourites. Morris perfected a critical smother against Essendon last week and his ability to spark teammates with his selfless style has become a highlight of the Tigers this year. You’d now back the son of Richmond premiership great Kevin Morris to advance and become a 100-game strong defender at Punt Rd.
8. AHMED SAAD(St Kilda) - Games: 15 Goals: 27.14 Tackles: 50
9. ADAM TRELOAR (Greater Western Sydney) - Games: 17 Efficiency: 74.5 per cent Inside/rebound 50s: 81
10. DAYNE ZORKO (Brisbane Lions) - Games: 15 Inside 50s: 78 Tackles: 99
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/vote-now-on-the-real-rising-star-of-2012/story-e6frexx0-1226460694724