The 2015 NAB AFL Rising Star will be announced on Wednesday afternoon at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne, with two Gold Coast SUNS young guns nominated for the coveted award.
Rookie revelation Adam Saad earned a nomination in just his fifth game at AFL level, following his brilliant performance against the Brisbane Lions in round five’s QClash9.
After being overlooked in a number of nominee worthy efforts, first-year midfielder Touk Miller was finally rewarded for his persistence and consistency in round 16 against Greater Western Sydney.
During a turbulent year for the Queensland club, the pair have been shining lights, enthralling the football landscape for an array of reasons.
With a generous helping of dare and dash, Saad burst on to the scene, cutting opposition sides apart with his brave run and carry and his polished finishing skills by foot. His unique audacity with ball in hand instantly captivated fans and created a mild hysteria after only a few games. Unfortunately a lingering groin injury limited his impact late, but we saw enough to know he has a big future.
Whilst Saad oozed excitement, Miller was the picture of dependability throughout 2015. The Victorian played every single game in his debut year – one of only two nominees to do so, along with Richmond’s Kamdyn McIntosh – becoming a key contributor in Rodney Eade’s side and one of the SUNS most consistent players across the season, as well as one of the premier pressure applying players in the competition. Miller was second behind Collingwood's Jack Crisp for pressure acts in 2015.
The first half of the season was far from pretty for Gold Coast, but during a difficult time, Saad was a beacon of hope. Having been overlooked in three drafts, and not taken until pick No. 7 in last year’s rookie draft, the question quickly centred on how he could have been passed up for so long?
Miller was a completely different story. He captained football factory the Calder Cannons, as well as leading Vic Metro in the under 18 national championships. He was an accomplished junior footballer and taken in the second round with pick No. 29 in the national draft. From there, he looms as the biggest bargain of that draft class, immediately looking at home at the highest level.
The 2015 Ron Evans Medal is set to be one of the most thrilling in the awards history. Melbourne’s Jesse Hogan and Carlton’s Patrick Cripps will fight it out for the honour, with most experts struggling to split the pair. Two medals will be there on the day if they poll the same amount of votes.
It is worth noting that both Hogan and Cripps are in the second-years in the AFL system, and in the Demon spearheads case, his third given he landed at AAMI Park as a 17-year-old priority access pick. Taking this into consideration, Miller’s year deserves more credit than it earns in football dominant states. Injury may have prevented Hogan from playing last year, but Cripps only managed three appearances in his first year in the AFL.
Two of the other favourites – West Coast’s Dom Sheed and Hawthorn’s Billy Hartung – are also second-year players having been taken in the 2013 national draft.
Of all the players taken last year, Miller is the only one to play every game. Sydney’s Isaac Heeney (pick No. 18) has dazzled in his 12 games and had it not been for injury he undoubtedly would have challenged Hogan and Cripps.
Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw (pick No. 3) played 21 games, quickly becoming a regular player in Paul Roos’ 22. At Collingwood, Jordan De Goey (pick No. 5) also demonstrated why he was taken so high, playing 16 games in his first year.
And Adelaide’s Jake Lever (pick No. 14) produced a remarkable year coming back from a knee reconstruction to play 12 games and become a vital cog in the Crows back six.
Out of the 2014 draft class, Miller has had arguably been a more consistent contributor than any player taken in his year. He may not be rewarded with the ultimate young talent award, but accolade or no accolade, nothing can detract from his stunning debut season.
As for Saad, once he gets his body to a level that can perform for an extended period, he could develop into one of the most damaging rebound defenders in the game. A tantalising prospect.
