Malceski for Rising Star

[SimonH]

Incidentally, we should use the example of Malceski to push for a rule change: change to the Rising Star rules, that is. (Sadly, not that all kicks for goal on the run to the Paddington end of the SCG in the final 30 seconds of the game count for 7 times the usual score.)

The current criteria for nomination are that you haven't played more than 10 games and are under 21 (i.e. 20 or younger) on January 1 on the year of your nomination.

Malceski doesn't qualify b/c he turned 21 in 2005, but is the classic example of a kid who deserves this sort of recognition.

Players are far more 'built' now, as a result of more $ and more professional training methods, than when the award was invented in 1993. Only weak sides and sides riddled by injury rush many 18 and 19 year olds into league footy-- mostly only the freakishly talented (top 5 picks) are considered for selection the year after drafting; for most of the rest, it would be a suicide mission to pick them before they had a year or two (or three or four...) in the 2nds and plenty of time in the gym to add 10kg plus. This is a substantial contrast with the 1980s and previously, where if you were good, you were in the side when you were 18.

Nowadays, excluding players who turn 21 before they get sufficiently established in the side to warrant a Rising Star nomination, excludes far too many good young players. Typically, by the latter stages of the year (or earlier) they're scratching around for eligible players, and anyone who fits the criteria who has got double-figure possessions for a couple of weeks in a row, scores a nomination.

Time for them to up it by at least a year.

Eski for RS: it may not be as catchy as Boony for PM, but it's worth a go.