Gold Coast SUNS could win its first piece of silverware on Wednesday with four players eyeing off the NAB AFL Rising Star Award.

The award will be presented in Melbourne with GC SUNS Zac Smith, David Swallow, Trent McKenzie and Brandon Matera all flying south after being nominated during the season.

Although punters have Essendon's Dyson Heppell and West Coast's Luke Shuey as raging favourites, Smith, Swallow and McKenzie should all come into the reckoning after exciting debut campaigns.

Smith had a blistering first half of the season, but playing the most physically demanding role in the game for a youngster – ruckman – he tailed off late, but should be right in the mix to win.

His skill and athleticism are extraordinary for such a big man, and his teammate Swallow believes he's every chance of winning the award.

"Zac's had an outstanding year. He's a big talent and he's got a massive future," Swallow said.

"I've enjoyed watching him, and his skills in the air and on ground have been fantastic to watch. His athleticism and skills for a big man are something you haven't seen for a while."

Swallow also had an exceptional season, despite playing in the rather large shadow of his captain Gary Ablett in the midfield.

He had all the pressure of being the No.1 NAB AFL Draft pick last year and lived up to his billing, playing all bar one match and averaging 20 disposals a game in the midfield despite playing older and stronger bodies for much of the season.

Swallow injured his hamstring in Saturday's final round loss against Hawthorn but said he would be fine to start pre-season in full swing when the Suns resume in eight weeks.

McKenzie stunned the League with his long left foot kicking and showed a rare level of consistency for a first year player, while the GC SUNS contingent is rounded out by small forward Matera who was lively and exciting in his 12 appearances.

"I saw a couple of his big kicks last year. I think there was one at Casey that he kicked from the middle of the field," Swallow said of McKenzie.

"We all knew he could kick but he probably surprised a few people with just how far he could kick."

For the record, Swallow believes Heppell or Shuey would be deserving winners but has not ruled out either Smith or McKenzie upsetting the favourites and winning.