Nascent

It's been a while since I've looked at this type of literature, but a quick google and read of some of the articles suggest that evidence is still lacking that helmets/protective head gear provide any benefit with regards to concussion.

Adam Saad has it for round 5 with his 26 disposal, 7 mark, 3 tackle effort against the pitiful lions Rising Sun Adam Saad now a rising star

Is Salem injured?

I'm not sure what the process is in regards to selection of nominees round by round, but wouldn't surprise me if they just look at the stats rather than have a panel of judges that watch all 9 games and examine the performances of each eligible player. More disposals and more goals would make it an easy choice for someone looking at the figures alone.

Cameron McCarthy (GWS) is more likely to take it out this week I suspect. With 13 goals so far from the first four games of the year, he picked up 18 disposals, 6 marks and kicked 5 goals 2 against the suns this week. As much as I like Hogan, it would be hard to overlook that performance. Amazing that with GWS losing Tyson, Bruce, Adams, Boyd, O'Rourke, Jaksch and others over the past few seasons that they still have an embarrassment of riches in nearly all parts of the ground.

Geez the swans got a good one with Isaac Heeney, didn't get a lot of the pill but snagged 4 goals from the 10 possessions and looks a player. They'll clean up again this year with Mills and Dunkley through academy and father son respectively, both rated high 1st round picks at this stage. Maybe this will push Mitchell or others further on the outer and be open to trade?

And here I thought Saty was just a massive metal head. Is this your jam saty?

Mitch Honeychurch from the doggies gets the nod this week with his 18 disposals, 6 tackles 1 goal performance. Mitch mirrors dogs rise

Kamdyn McIntosh get the nomination for round 1 with his 23 disposal 1 goal performance on debut against Carlton. Tigers dream debut continues I'll update the first post with each nomination throughout the year for easy reference

Funny you say that, I failed a uni exam but was fortunate enough to be given the chance to resit 1 week later. I ended up getting a distinction the second time around. Shame that I was only left with a pass mark to show for it. Perhaps you're right and he should be the first to go, I certainly thought as such when I was at the game. I don't envy the selectors...

Just watched the replay. Really even performance from our playing group and will be hard to leave anyone out. I'm going to say straight out that I like Toumpas and will back him in to be a very good player for us. While his game wasn't flash on the weekend, I don't think it was as bad as some of the comments I've seen suggest, not least considering it must be difficult being thrown on early as sub then off, then back on mid way through the last. He had two clangers that stood out, a handball that missed its target resulting in a turn over in the first quarter and that handball in the 4th quarter that got smothered. Yet, most of our players had an equal or greater number of clangers/cringe worthy moments. A couple of Tyson's kicks were sprayed massively, two of watts's were something shocking, Jetta's dropped chest mark in defence, McDonalds direct kick to Malceski, Garletts scrubber kick, Salem's dinky out on the full kick, stray handballs from countless players etc.... yet it's Toumpas that cops it. The obsession of bashing him has probably been born out of our fans frustration of our overall performance of the past decade and our seemingly lack of ability to develop our young quality kids. The fact Wines, McCrae et al have gone on to have stunning starts to their careers certainly hasn't helped. For me though, all Jimmy needs to do us gain a little bit of composure at the top level, easier said than done yes, but it was blatantly obvious while watching that Jimmy is just a step off the pace causing him to rush his disposals/decision making. Will he get used to the pace of AFL at VFL level? I don't think so. Much has been said about how Toumpas is a confidence player. Well I think the best thing Roos can do for him to instill a bit of confidence is have him as a starting 18 player next week and back him in. Maybe I'm off the mark and dominating Casey for a month is the way to go, but I'd like to see more of him at the top level first. Having said all that, who goes out for Dawes and Vince?? It will be hard week at selection table indeed. As alternatives to the easy option of Toumpas, I wouldn't be surprised that both JKH and Brayshaw find themselves omitted, and will be very unlucky for it.

Thought we could just keep all the potential and actual nominations of rising stars in one thread. To be eligible for the rising star award players need to have less than 11 games experience prior to the start of the season and be 21 years or less from the 1st of January of that year. 2015 RISING STAR NOMINEES ROUND 1: Kamdyn McIntosh (Richmond) ROUND 2: Mitch Honeychurch (Western Bulldogs) ROUND 3: Isaac Heeney (Sydney) ROUND 4: Patrick Cripps (Carlton) ROUND 5: Adam Saad (Gold Coast) ROUND 6: Cory Gregson (Geelong) ROUND 7: Billy Hartung (Hawthorn) ROUND 8: Cam McCarthy (GWS) ROUND 9: Jesse Hogan (Melbourne) ROUND 10: Angus Brayshaw (Melbourne) ROUND 11: Timothy Broomhead (Collingwood) ROUND 12: Thomas Boyd (Western Bulldogs) ROUND 13: Charlie Cameron (Adelaide) ROUND 14: Jack Lonie (St Kilda) ROUND 15: Dom Sheed (West Coast) ROUND 16 Touk Miller (Gold Coast) ROUND 17: Jake Lever (Adelaide) ROUND 18: Harris Andrews (Brisbane) ROUND 19: Jackson Thurlow (Geelong) ROUND 20: Jordan De Goey (Collingwood) ROUND 21: Darcy Lang (Geelong) ROUND 22: Ben Lennon (Richmond) ROUND 23: Orazio Fantasia (Essendon)

Awesome day, very decent (and vocal) crowd considering it was the long weekend and playing against an interstate team. The highlight for me, apart from seeing all the new faces acquitting themselves well, was our second half. Gold Coast twice had great momentum with a small run of goals. Expecting us to roll over like usual, we successfully arrested the onslaught and kept the scoreboard pressure on. Happy easter all!

Both won't play this weekend and will most likely have restricted gametime in the vfl practice match just a week out before seasons start. Round 2 at the earliest with round 3/4 more likely I would've thought.

Sorry to give you the bad news dazzle, already reported to have put off contract talks last week. http://m.theage.com.au/afl/demons-highflyer-jeremy-howe-puts-off-contract-negotiations-20150305-13wepe.html

Was convinced he was going early, bit giddy that he made it through to us. So much so I completely forgot about Oscar McDonald until I saw his name pop up at 53. Never felt this comfortable post draft about all of our picks.

Anyone else notice the subtle MFC monogram in the middle of the jumper? Or have I just been oblivious to it the past year?

This. Nicholson and Clisby the forgotton deletions.

It's simple really. Pick 4 = Cale Morton Pick 4 = Jimmy Toumpas Therefore Toumpas = Morton

You do realise that Salem and Kennedy-Harris played 12 & 14 games respectively in their 1st year? Our new draftees don't need the pressure and expectation of being the driving force behind our improvement. That doesn't mean they can't contribute by playing a role if fit and able.

So giants have picks 4, 6 and 7... Any chance of some sort of deal there if they want to move up the draft. Maybe pick 2 and 23 for 6, 7 and frost?

What has two thumbs and doesn't give a crap? Only accepting picture or gif entries. No prize.

A swallow you say... well that really begs the question then. African or European?