Carlton youngster Caleb Marchbank is the Blues’ most likely contender for the 2017 AFL NAB Rising Star Award, according to AFL.com.au reporters.
Following the opening round of the 2017 home-and-away season, the reporters have had their say on the AFL’s next rising star.
With one player predicted from each of the 18 AFL clubs, Marchbank was named as Carlton’s favourite while fellow youngsters Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay, Sam Petrevski-Seton, Jarrod Pickett and Jack Silvagni were also named as possible contenders for the accolade.
Marchbank was recruited to Carlton during last year’s trade period following his two-year tenure at GWS where he featured in a total of seven senior games.
The young defender pulled on his navy blue guernsey for the first official time against Richmond in the opening round of the 2017 season last Thursday night.
In that clash, he showed promise in the Blues’ defence and proved his ability to take a strong grab after he finished with eight marks, only two short of teammate Lachie Plowman who managed the most on the ground.
Having overcome the injuries that hampered his career as a Giant, the reporters anticipated Marchbank to be a stand-out within Carlton’s backline in 2017, particularly if counterpart Jacob Weitering spends time at the opposite end of the field.
To be awarded the AFL NAB Rising Star at the conclusion of the 2017 season, Marchbank would first have to be nominated for the honour following an impressive on-field display in one of Carlton’s matches.
The AFL Rising Star Award first came to fruition in 1993 and has since seen 24 junior players recognised for their talent as an up-and-coming AFL footballer.
