Form guide: The six contenders who can win the 2025 Rising Star

When Fremantle ball magnet Paul Hasleby collected the rising star award in 2000, then sponsored by Norwich, he scooped up a $20,000 investment portfolio, the same sum the standout in a packed field will claim in 2025.

The RBA’s investment calculator would peg that portfolio from 2000 dollars at about $38,800 in today’s money.

Now the share portfolio comes in a NAB envelope, and the award winner is given the Ron Evans Medal.

“I ended up selling it, I should have held it,” Hasleby said.

“It turned into about $28,000 when I sold it helped to go and buy a house.

“You have the draft and that is one measurement system of early success and to back it up in your first year that is something I look back on with a lot of pride.”

A quarter of a century on from when Hasleby pipped Bomber Adam Ramanauskas to win, another Docker is the favourite in a stacked group hunting for rising star votes, which will be announced during the Brownlow Medal night on Monday.

Unassuming headbanded half-forward Murphy Reid moved through the field to end the year as favourite, to potentially join Hasleby and Rhys Palmer as winners of the award as Dockers.

Reid will have to see off the consistent Levi Ashcroft and Adelaide’s adaptable Dan Curtin, who both held favouritism at a time during the year.

Then there is Geelong defender Connor O’Sullivan, Essendon rebounder Archie Roberts and Melbourne onballer Harvey Langford, who could all easily retire as the best player from this crop.

“I think the market has got it right and they have had it right,’ Hasleby said.

“I think Levi was the favourite early because of his consistent start to the year, I thought Murphy early was unbelievable and had a bit of a (quiet) patch but his impact on games for the Fremantle Dockers is probably the reason why I have him in front.

“It is the closest I can remember in recent times.”

Roberts played alongside both Reid and Ashcroft at the Sandringham Dragons and when asked who he would vote for, found it hard to split.

“Murphy Reid has had a great year,” he said.

“I played a bit of footy with him. He is a phenomenal player and phenomenally skilled player, as is Levi too.

“Their ability in their first year to make impact on their team, they have both had phenomenal years and deserve it as much as each other.”

It is a Melbourne Cup field, and this is the case, with help from Champion Data, for any of the six hopefuls to win the award.

MURPHY REID

The case: The headbanded Docker got off to a phenomenal start, booting four goals in rapid time against Geelong. But the Victorian really got going later in the season, providing a point of difference at half-forward, playing no small part in getting the Dockers to finals and deservedly surging to favouritism in the award. He is the favourite for a reason.

The Champion Data case: No player in their debut year has ever kicked at least 25 goals and had at least 25 score assists, until Reid.

What they say: “He has kicked 20-plus goals but it is the direct goal assists. 20-plus (score) assists, that is a pretty big performance for a half-forward. In a lot of those games, even going back to his debut, Fremantle has been up against it and he has been the one who has got them going.” – Paul Hasleby.

DAN CURTIN

The case: With only a few weeks to go in the season, Curtin was suddenly the favourite with the bookies. The giant Crow can play in any position and eventually became a game-changing tall winger for the minor premier. Perhaps no player in this field has the ceiling Curtin has.

The Champion Data case: Between rounds 11-24 – more than half the season – Curtin was ranked in the top 40 players in the league by Champion Data. He averaged 16 disposals, six marks and five intercepts in that run.

What they say: “In contested marking, he is a beast, he’s a beauty in the air … He’s had a terrific six-week patch. I don’t know who else has had a better six-week patch of the rising star contenders.” – David King, in July.

LEVI ASHCROFT

The case: The second Ashcroft burst out of the blocks as the early award favourite and did nothing to dispel that all year, playing a consistent role for a grand final side. In this field, it’s hard to argue that you could bank on anybody to have a better midfield career.

The Champion Data case: Levi racked up 486 disposals in his first 25 games. That was the fifth-best by any Brisbane player this year, not bad for a teen in a reigning premier team.

What they say: “Coming into a premiership side, it’s harder to establish yourself, but what he’s doing out on the wing … he’s grown as a player, he’s added so many attributes to his repertoire this year.” – brother Will Ashcroft, in July.

ARCHIE ROBERTS

The case: Playing in the worst team of this bunch, Roberts was the most important to his side. The second-year Don was a shining light in a dark year and his rebounding play only got better as the season went on.

The Champion Data case: Only three general defenders averaged at least 20 disposals, 15 uncontested possessions, 350 metres gained and five intercept possessions – Dayne Zorko, Bailey Dale and Archie Roberts. Good company.

What they say: “I’m not one to look at personal accolades and get interested in all that. You do sort of hear all the noise about all that stuff … It’s definitely hard to ignore the noise” – Archie Roberts, in August.

CONNOR O’SULLIVAN

The case: It’s hard to underestimate the job O’Sullivan has done playing as a key defender in his second year, holding down a vital spot in team that will play off for the flag. Playing tall as a youngster is tough, that’s why no other contender fills a key position.

The Champion Data case: In his first 24 matches, O’Sullivan racked up 133 intercepts. For Geelong, only Sam De Koning had more across those matches.

What they say: “I haven’t looked at it a whole heap. I am in a pretty fortunate position of being part of a winning club to start the year … that has been my focus and trying to sharpen up my skills.” – Connor O’Sullivan, in July.

HARVEY LANGFORD

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The case: If the tall midfielder is the king in modern footy, Langford is the one in this bunch who can sit on the throne. Capable playing inside, on the wing and half-forward, when it is all said and done, Langford could be the best of these players.

The Champion Data case: In the close of the season, from rounds 17-24, Langford was a top-40 ranked player in the competition, as he averaged 17 disposals and five score involvements in this time.

What they say: “I don’t think he’s talked about enough from a Rising Star point of view … Now there’s some very good young players out there but Harvey’s impact for us this year has been phenomenal.” – Former Melbourne interim coach Troy Chaplin.