Your club's NAB AFL Rising Star contendersSarah Black
afl.com.au
3 April 2019RICHMOND
Best chance: Ryan Garthwaite (BetEasy odds: $34)
With Alex Rance requiring a knee reconstruction after rupturing his ACL, Garthwaite is expected to play the vast majority of the season. He has missed the first two games after suffering an Achilles injury in the pre-season, but is building match fitness in the VFL. A young key defender on the rise, Garthwaite has benefited from two years away from the spotlight, developing his game in the twos while training with star defenders Rance, David Astbury and Dylan Grimes.
Other chances: Liam Baker (three games), Noah Balta (one game), Riley Collier-Dawkins (yet to debut), Jack Ross (yet to debut)
Nippy small forward Baker has good awareness but is probably just out of the best 22. Balta's versatility at either end of the ground means he is likely to add to his first senior game in round one, while draftee midfielder Ross and Collier-Dawkins should play AFL this year.
Other eligible players: Shai Bolton (nine games), Callum Coleman-Jones, Derek Eggmolesse-Smith, Luke English, Ben Miller, Patrick Naish, Sydney Stack, Fraser Turner (all yet to debut).
https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-04-03/your-clubs-nab-afl-rising-star-contenders