Matthew Kreuzer may not win the NAB AFL Rising Star Award for 2008 but there is no doubting he is a star on the rise. The big “Kreuz” has played every game since he made his debut in round 3, and the only reason he didn’t play all 22 games is an injury he suffered in the final practice match that kept him out of the first two rounds. He has not only played 20 games, he has played them well, in what is perhaps the most difficult positions on the ground; ruck and key position.

His first game was a sign of what we could expect and Brett Ratten was clearly impressed and honest when he said what made it such an impressive start to his AFL career was that he was playing in such a difficult position. Midfielders get more of the ball and they also have the chance to ‘relax’ a little more. Kreuzer has not had that luxury, as there has been no down time and plenty of accountable action.

So why wouldn’t the big “Kreuz” win the Rising Star Award? Probably the biggest reason is that he is not a midfielder because there is no doubt it is a midfielders award. The midfielders tend to rack up the possessions and look the goods more so than the big guys but really how can you pick between them. While Kreuzer may not be considered the best young player to have played under 10 games prior to 2008, there is no doubt Carlton would not change that first selection at last year’s National Draft. And isn’t that what the Rising Star is about; the player most likely?

Of course Matthew will be joined by Shaun Grigg at the NAB AFL Rising Star Award as the other Carlton nominee for 2008. Grigg played five games in 2007 and has shown great development in 2008 securing his place in Carlton’s best 22 in the number 16 guernsey made famous by Scott Camporeale and Jim Buckley.

Grigg and Kreuzer will be joined by their parents and friends at the Award Luncheon this week as the AFL celebrate the young group of players making their mark in the big league.

It would be a surprise if Kreuzer isn’t in the leading players when the NAB AFL Rising Star Award is announced; it is probably a question of whether he finishes in third or fourth position. No matter what the ‘experts’ say, there is no doubting the place the big “Kreuz” has at Carlton and that is number one with a rising star next to his name.