Player Rater

7th September 2011 Category: General

Image: Slattery Media Group

The first 3 Rising Star nominations for 2011, might just finish, first, second and third at today's award ceremony.

Dyson Heppell, Luke Shuey and Mitch Duncan were the Round 1, Round 2 and Round 3 Rising Star nominations this season, and as it turns out they've finished 1,2,3 in the Player Rater rankings.

The Top 3:

Dyson Heppell: Clubs always say they're relieved to have got "their man" in the draft, but in Heppell's case the Bombers might have been genuine. Heppell slipped to 8th overall in the 2010 draft due to rumours he'd suffered from persistent groin problems as a junior. Heppell's outstanding first season is made even more impressive by the fact that that he's a genuine first year player - playing nearly half the season as an 18 year old. Heppell played all 22 home and away games, averaging over 21 touches a game.

Luke Shuey: Despite having played only 6 games before this season, Shuey has benefitted from 3 years within the AFL system. Those 3 years have allowed him to build up the strength and fitness required to compete physically with the AFL's elite midfielders. Shuey averaged 20 touches and 4 tackles a game in 2011.

Mitch Duncan: After playing 8 games in 2010, Duncan came into the 2011 season with about as much experience possible for a player still eligible to be nominated for the Rising Star. Duncan has played predominantly on half forward this season, averaging 18 disposals and 1.2 goals a game. One of the major reasons for Geelong's renewed focus in 2011, has been the contribution of Duncan and fellow Rising Star nominees, Daniel Menzel and Allen Christensen.

Heppell and Shuey are almost too close to split in terms of player ratings, but with all factors considered it's hard to go past Heppell. He's a first year player - a 2011 debutant, and his contribution to his club in 2011 has been greater than any other nominee.

Player Ratings and Rankings for all Rising Star Nominees: