Normally at this stage of the season, there are no more than a couple of standout young guns in contention.
But in 2014, the Ron Evans Medal race is wide open.
Who do you think will win? Leave a comment below.
Marcus Bontempelli
After debuting in Round 5, the big-bodied onballer hit his straps in the Bulldogs' Round 13 win over Collingwood.
The similarities with Magpies captain Scott Pendlebury are clear, and that adds to the hype.
They are both 192cm left-footed midfielders who were top-five draft picks – and each has a background in elite basketball.
The knock on Bontempelli might be the fact he's played only emerged as a contender in the second half of the season.
However, Bontempelli's remarkable matchwinning goal against Melbourne in Round 15, in which he stripped the ball from James Frawley and delivered the goods, might just sway the judges.
He'd be the first Bulldog to take out the award.
Luke Dunstan
The hardnut midfielder became St Kilda's first nomination since mid 2012 thanks to his Round 1 effort against Melbourne.
What makes him a top contender is the fact he's played all but two matches this season, and averages 19 disposals per game.
The last St Kilda player to win the Rising Star was Nick Riewoldt in 2002.
Kade Kolodjasnij
Kolodjashnij, an All Australian under 18, has assumed a key distribution role for Gold Coast and his absence robs them of much of its attacking creativity.
A couple of standout performances to finish the season could make him a leading contender. He's played 14 matches so far but is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Another Sun, Jaegar O'Meara, won last year's award.
James Aish
The Lions' top draft pick at No. 7, Aish has been ever-present for the Lions. The midfielder achieved a career-high 25 disposals in his club's three-point win over St Kilda in Wellington, and kicked an important goal in that game.
Not playing for a Victorian club means he has flown under the radar, but the Rising Star judges will have studied his season closely.
Tom Langdon
Collingwood has never had a Rising Star winner, but No.65 draft pick Tom Langdon is a genuine chance.
That's because his style of play turns heads. He's a superb intercept player and has taken 87 marks so far this season, second only to Travis Cloke.
The half-back flanker was nominated after Collingwood's Round 7 win over Carlton.
Luke McDonald
The Kangaroos' father-son selection wasted little time repaying North Melbourne's faith at last year's draft, with the disciplined defender claiming the Round 4 nomination after the Roos' big win over Sydney.
He's proven to be a reliable part of North's defence, and has played 16 matches.
McDonald is not one of the main contenders, but will nonetheless figure in judges' minds because of his consistent season.
A couple standout performances before the finals could see his odds shorten.
The last Kangaroo to clinch the award was Byron Pickett in 1998.
Harry Cunningham
Nominated in Round 15, the Swans forward is a forgotten smokey because 2014 is his third season in the AFL. He has the chance to finish with a bang given the Swans will play several blockbusters in the run to the finals.
With Sydney's salary cap squeeze, could Cunningham join inaugural Rising Star Nathan Buckley (1993) as a winner to switch clubs the following year?
* To be eligible, a player must be younger than 21 years of age on January 1 this year and have played 10 or fewer games before this season.
But in 2014, the Ron Evans Medal race is wide open.
Who do you think will win? Leave a comment below.
Marcus Bontempelli
After debuting in Round 5, the big-bodied onballer hit his straps in the Bulldogs' Round 13 win over Collingwood.
The similarities with Magpies captain Scott Pendlebury are clear, and that adds to the hype.
They are both 192cm left-footed midfielders who were top-five draft picks – and each has a background in elite basketball.
The knock on Bontempelli might be the fact he's played only emerged as a contender in the second half of the season.
However, Bontempelli's remarkable matchwinning goal against Melbourne in Round 15, in which he stripped the ball from James Frawley and delivered the goods, might just sway the judges.
He'd be the first Bulldog to take out the award.
Luke Dunstan
The hardnut midfielder became St Kilda's first nomination since mid 2012 thanks to his Round 1 effort against Melbourne.
What makes him a top contender is the fact he's played all but two matches this season, and averages 19 disposals per game.
The last St Kilda player to win the Rising Star was Nick Riewoldt in 2002.
Kade Kolodjasnij
Kolodjashnij, an All Australian under 18, has assumed a key distribution role for Gold Coast and his absence robs them of much of its attacking creativity.
A couple of standout performances to finish the season could make him a leading contender. He's played 14 matches so far but is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Another Sun, Jaegar O'Meara, won last year's award.
James Aish
The Lions' top draft pick at No. 7, Aish has been ever-present for the Lions. The midfielder achieved a career-high 25 disposals in his club's three-point win over St Kilda in Wellington, and kicked an important goal in that game.
Not playing for a Victorian club means he has flown under the radar, but the Rising Star judges will have studied his season closely.
Tom Langdon
Collingwood has never had a Rising Star winner, but No.65 draft pick Tom Langdon is a genuine chance.
That's because his style of play turns heads. He's a superb intercept player and has taken 87 marks so far this season, second only to Travis Cloke.
The half-back flanker was nominated after Collingwood's Round 7 win over Carlton.
Luke McDonald
The Kangaroos' father-son selection wasted little time repaying North Melbourne's faith at last year's draft, with the disciplined defender claiming the Round 4 nomination after the Roos' big win over Sydney.
He's proven to be a reliable part of North's defence, and has played 16 matches.
McDonald is not one of the main contenders, but will nonetheless figure in judges' minds because of his consistent season.
A couple standout performances before the finals could see his odds shorten.
The last Kangaroo to clinch the award was Byron Pickett in 1998.
Harry Cunningham
Nominated in Round 15, the Swans forward is a forgotten smokey because 2014 is his third season in the AFL. He has the chance to finish with a bang given the Swans will play several blockbusters in the run to the finals.
With Sydney's salary cap squeeze, could Cunningham join inaugural Rising Star Nathan Buckley (1993) as a winner to switch clubs the following year?
* To be eligible, a player must be younger than 21 years of age on January 1 this year and have played 10 or fewer games before this season.