Boom youngster Jack Martin is the runaway tip to win the 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star Award and follow in the footsteps of 2013 winner Jaeger O’Meara, according to the competition’s club captains.
The 18-year-old rookie topped the voting ahead of 2013 top draft picks James Aish (Brisbane) and Jack Billings (St. Kilda), also outshining the likes of Essendon’s Joe Daniher and the Giant’s Josh Kelly.
It’s a massive wrap for Martin, after nine captains correctly nominated Jaeger O’Meara last year.
Additionally the clubs were asked which seven other teams, apart from their own, could make the finals.
Of the 17 club captains, not one believed the Gold Coast SUNS would crack into the top eight, suggesting the strength of the competition will make for a tough rise up the AFL Ladder this season.
2013 Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett was edged out of the captain’s pick for this year’s “Charlie” winner, with Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury the top pick top take out the awards amongst the captains.
2013 John Coleman Medallist Jarryd Roughead received four votes as the choice to again lead the goalkicking this season, but West Coast’s Josh Kennedy and Collingwood’s Travis Cloke were each given five votes.
The full voting was:
Which seven other clubs do you think can make this year's top eight? (18 times seven selections. In 2013, the captains correctly nominated Hawthorn, the Geelong Cats, Fremantle, the Sydney Swans and Collingwood, but missed Richmond, Port Adelaide and Carlton.)
Fremantle (17), Hawthorn (17), Sydney Swans (17), Geelong (16), Collingwood (12), West Coast (11), North Melbourne (9), Richmond (9), Essendon (7), Port Adelaide (7), Adelaide Crows (2), Carlton (2).
Which other club is most likely to reach the Grand Final? (Seven Captains picked eventual premier Hawthorn in 2013, while one captain also nominated Fremantle to make the Grand Final.)
Hawthorn (10), Sydney Swans (5), Fremantle (3)
Who do you think will win the 2014 Brownlow Medal? (Three captains correctly nominated Gary Ablett in 2013).
Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood, 4 votes), Gary Ablett (Gold Coast Suns, 3), Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide Crows, 3), Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle, 2), Dustin Martin (Richmond, 1), Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn, 1), Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn, 1), Joel Selwood (Geelong Cats, 1), Dane Swan (Collingwood, 1), Jobe Watson (Essendon, 1).
Who do you think will win the 2014 Coleman Medal? (No one correctly nominated Jarryd Roughead in 2013).
Travis Cloke (Collingwood, 5 votes), Josh Kennedy (West Coast, 5), Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn, 4), Lance Franklin (Sydney Swans, 3), Jack Riewoldt (Richmond, 1).
Who do you think will win the 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star? (Nine captains correctly nominated Jaeger O’Meara in 2013)
Jack Martin (Gold Coast Suns, 7 votes), James Aish (Brisbane Lions, 2), Jack Billings (St Kilda, 2), Joe Daniher (Essendon, 2), Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs, 1), Harry Cunningham (Sydney Swans, 1), Brodie Grundy (Collingwood, 1), Josh Kelly (GWS Giants, 1), Luke McDonald (North Melbourne, 1).
