2008 NAB Rising Star ratings: By Ryan Daniels
Posted Feb 11, 2008 - 5:35 AM
Ryan Daniels continues his top 10 lists in 2008, this time taking a look at the ‘up and coming’ stars who will look to succeed Geelong’s Joel Selwood as the nation’s fastest rising AFL talent.
(Eligibility- Nominees must have played no more than 10 AFL games at the start of the season, and must be under 21 years of age as at 1 January of that year.)
1. Trent Cotchin- Richmond With number one pick Matthew Kreuzer expected to take some time to develop, Cotchin is the standout from the top selections. He will get a chance to play round one in a Tigers midfield that struggled last season. The award has gone to a midfielder for the past three years (Joel Selwood, Danyle Pearce and Brett Deledio) and don’t expect this season to be any different. Cotchin is the clear favourite.
2. Chris Masten- West Coast
3. Matthew Kreuzer- Carlton
4. Jamie McNamara- West Coast
5. Rhys Palmer- Fremantle
6. Robbie Tarrant- Kangaroos
7. Brad Ebert – West Coast
8. Mitch Brown – West Coast
9. Tom Collier – Brisbane
10. Cale Morton – Melbourne
The Roughie - David Gourdis – Richmond Gourdis would have been devastated to have been overlooked at the NAB AFL Draft after performing so well at the draft camp (1st in the vertical jump and the 20 metre sprint), but the Tigers nabbed him in the preseason draft. The former Subiaco junior needs to develop some of his ball skills a little further, but his athletic ability will stand out even in the AFL. He will get his chance at some stage and will be keen to prove to the other 15 teams that they made a mistake by ignoring him last November.
On the outside looking in David Myers (Essendon),
Alex Rance (Richmond), James Sellar (Adelaide), Mathew Leuenberger (Brisbane), Ryan Cook (Collingwood)
http://www.footygoss.com/main/club_news/richmond/view/2008_nab_rising_star_ratings_by_ryan_daniels/