AFL Futures Tracker, 2023 Rising Star
Harry Sheezel (North Melbourne)
$1.72
The floodgates have opened for the talented Kangaroos playmaker following Will Ashcroft’s season-ending knee injury in Round 19. Not that he wasn’t in the discussion already, having stood alone as a shining light in an otherwise disastrous season for the Shinboners.
His start to the year was something we’ve never seen in the AFL, with the 18-year-old clocking 30 disposals in four of his first five games. He’s since notched 30+ disposals on 10 occasions and only gone under 21 twice. The kid’s a freak.
In fact, with an average of 26.79 disposals from his 19 appearances, Sheezel is finding more of the ball than Nick Daicos did in his debut year at Collingwood (25.76). And Daicos polled 60 of a possible 60 Rising Star votes.
Clearly the most talented player on North’s list in the first year, expect the Cheezel to threaten the Rising Star/Best & Fairest double.
Mitch Owens (St Kilda)
$5.00
When it’s all said and done, this guy could have the most influential career of them all.
The athletic 19-year-old has been a significant reason for the Saints’ climb up the ladder in 2023, impacting up forward, in the ruck and through the midfield.
After playing seven games in 2022, Owens opened his account with eight goals in the first four games of this season and has registered 23 while averaging 15 disposals.
Whether his best position is up forward or as a modern-day ruck rover, the sky is the limit for this kid, and it could all start with this year’s Rising Star Award.
Jye Amiss (Fremantle)
$13.00
Punters could do worse than the $13 offered for Jye Amiss.
Fremantle’s young key forward, another player who got a start in 2022, has become one of its most important players this year.
Despite the team’s pronounced fall from grace, Amiss has stood tall with 33 goals from 18 games as the leading scorer for the club, ahead of Micky Walters with 30.
He has kicked at least one major in all but two games while shooting at an incredible 75% accuracy. He doesn’t miss.
Darcy Fogarty, Jesse Hogan, Jack Riewoldt, Bayley Fritsch and Harry McKay all trail Dead-Eye Jye on the goal-kicking leaderboard, showcasing the influence he’s having as the main man for the Dockers.
Will Ashcroft (Brisbane)
$2.60
The punters were well and truly on the Will Ashcroft bandwagon before his season-ending injury as the father-son prodigy held his own in a star-studded Brisbane midfield.
Surrounded by the likes of Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley and Hugh McCluggage, Ashcroft showcased poise and skill far beyond his years to average 22.11ppg alongside 8.17 contested possessions and 3.5 clearances.
His 31 disposals in the Lions’ Round Two victory over the Dees was a clear highlight of his young career, but a lot will depend on the final four rounds of the season as he watches his main rivals from the sidelines.
