AFL Futures Tracker, 2023 Rising Star
Five rounds into the AFL season, and the newest crop of young stars are already making their mark.
From Harry Sheezel’s record-breaking feats finding the ball to Reuben Ginbey’s tackling prowess, Bet Nation looks at the best bets for this year’s AFL Rising Star Award.
Harry Sheezel
$1.91
The No. 3 draft pick has launched into $1.91 favouritism for this year’s award on the back of an unrivalled ability to find (and use) the ball so early in his career.
Sheezel, who has been a beacon for Alistair Clarkson’s Kangaroos, has accumulated 30 possessions in four of his five games, including a 37-disposal performance against Carlton. It was after this game that he set the V/AFL record for disposals after four career matches, with his 127 ahead of Mark Bairstow (121), Greg Williams (116), Michael Barlow (112) and Craig Bradley (111).
If his ability to find the ball wasn’t impressive enough, Sheezel is also part of Clarko’s kick-in rotation from defensive 50.
While we can’t reasonably expect the young gun to continue to average 31.6 disposals per game, anything even remotely close to that number will see him win Winx-style award.
Will Ashcroft
$2.50
The son of the Brisbane champion entered the season as the red-hot favourite in the market and any other year, that would still hold true after his first five rounds.
Unfortunately for Ashcroft, his former Sandringham teammate has exploded onto the scene, but it certainly hasn’t stopped him from having a real influence at the Lions. After a lacklustre debut of 13 disposals against Port Adelaide – where every Lions player lowered their colours – the smooth-moving midfielder hit back with 31 and the Rising Star nomination against Melbourne before adding 23, 26 and 23 since.
He averages over four clearances and nine contested possessions per game, working seamlessly alongside Lachie Neale and Josh Dunkley.
If he can continue to produce these numbers and the Lions continue to win games, the margin between him and Sheezel will diminish.
Reuben Ginbey
$18
It’s been a tough start to the season for the West Coast Eagles, but fans will undoubtedly take comfort in the performances of Reuben Ginbey.
The No. 9 draft pick has been a shining light in an otherwise disappointing opening five rounds for the Eagles, producing on the biggest stage of all and receiving the Round 3 nomination in the Western Derby. He had 20 disposals, eight tackles, six clearances and 13 contested possessions in his side’s loss to the Dockers.
But it’s his physical pressure where Ginbey stands out, averaging seven tackles per game through the first five rounds, including an unbelievable 12 on debut against North Melbourne. He is currently ranked equal sixth for tackles alongside Clayton Oliver, Touk Miller and Tom Liberatore.
We know Ginbey will feature heavily in the injury-ravaged Eagles side, so his $18 looks very juicy.
Max Michalanney
$26
As far as value for the award is concerned, we can’t go past the feats of Tex Walker’s adopted son, Max Michalanney.
Adelaide’s first father-son selection at a National Draft earnt the Round 5 nomination following his impressive performance in the Crows’ 56-point thumping of Carlton on Thursday night.
While he doesn’t possess the statistical prowess of the other three nominees – 11.6 disposals, 3.4 tackles and 3.6 marks – Michalanney has easily slotted into the Crows’ backline and helped them to three wins on the trot.
He won’t garner the support of Sheezel and Ashcroft in the market, but after claiming him as one of his own, we know Tex is a fan. And at $26, so are we.
