Could the Blues' NAB AFL Rising Star drought end in 2017?
Despite coming awfully close in recent years, Carlton has yet to crown a Rising Star since the award's inception in 1993.
Young gun Patrick Cripps remains the Blues' highest finisher in history, coming second behind Melbourne's Jesse Hogan in 2015.
Another top-three finish followed in 2016, as then first-year player Jacob Weitering finished third behind winner Callum Mills (Sydney) and Bulldog Caleb Daniel.
Carlton will once again contend the prestigious award thanks to its latest Rising Star nominee Caleb Marchbank, who got the nod for his impressive performance in the Blues' win over Sydney in Round 6.
But the Blues' 2017 contenders appear unlikely to end there, with a raft of youngsters still eligible for nomination.
Here are the baby Blues who have featured at senior level after the first six rounds and fit the criteria of being aged under 21 on January 1 and having played no more than 10 games to the start of the 2017 season:
Jack Silvagni
Age at January 1: 19
Debut: Round 15, 2016
Games in 2017 season: 6
Games prior to 2017 season: 8
Since making his debut in Round 15, 2016, Jack Silvagni has established himself as a regular in the Blues' forward line. The third-generation Silvagni has missed just one game through injury. He is averaging 13 disposals, six marks and a goal a game in 2017, despite copping a knock to the shoulder early on Saturday and not returning to the action.
Samo Petrevski-Seton
Age at January 1: 18
Debut: Round 1, 2017
Games in 2017 season: 6
The No.6 draft pick has made a seamless transition to the AFL, featuring in all six of the Blues' games in his debut season. He produced arguably his best game at the weekend, collecting 20 disposals, a goal and two goal assists in Carlton's 19-point win over Sydney. It seems a Rising Star nomination is inevitable for the smooth-moving midfielder from Halls Creek.
Zac Fisher
Age at January 1: 18
Debut: Round 4, 2017
Games in 2017 season: 3
Zac Fisher had the footy world talking in Round 4, booting a miraculous goal from the boundary and running down speedy Gold Coast midfielder Aaron Hall in a sizzling debut. The No.27 draft pick's output has dipped in the past fortnight since, but he wasn't helped by a corked hamstring suffered in the win over Sydney. That injury is likely to sideline the left-footer against Collingwood on Saturday, meaning Blues fans might have to wait to see him back in action.
Harrison Macreadie
Age at January 1: 18
Debut: Round 1, 2017
Games in 2017 season: 5
The boyhood Bluebagger earned the earliest debut possible after impressing in the Blues' JLT Community Series campaign. Taken at pick No.47 in last year's national draft, the composed defenders's decision-making and pinpoint accuracy have been hallmarks of his game. Macreadie was rested in the Blues' win over Sydney, but will no doubt feature again at senior level in 2017.
Cameron Polson
Age at January 1: 18
Debut: Round 5, 2017
Games in 2017 season: 1
The speedy midfielder/forward was rewarded for his brilliant VFL form, but faced a baptism of fire in his AFL debut. Lining up in the forward line, the 18-year-old's first taste of senior footy came in the Blues' 90-point loss away to Port Adelaide under Friday night lights, but he showed glimpses of his potential.
Charlie Curnow
Age at January 1: 19
Debut: Round 2, 2016
Games in 2017 season: 5
Games prior to 2017 season: 6
If Charlie Curnow's past two games are anything to go by, a Rising Star nomination is imminent. The second-year forward's impact in the past fortnight has been telling, gathering 33 disposals, 14 marks (four contested) and a goal. His confidence has notably risen and a breakout game is looming large.
Tom Williamson
Age at January 1: 18
Debut: Round 3, 2017
Games in 2017 season: 4
The former North Ballarat Rebel is already shaping as one of the steals of the draft. Taken at pick No.61 last year, the composed left-footer has shown his ability to find the footy and use his composure to deliver it effectively. He's collected 36 disposals across half-back in the past fortnight and may well have been next in line after Caleb Marchbank for the Round 6 Rising Star nomination.
Jarrod Pickett
Age at January 1: 20
Debut: Round 1, 2017
Games in 2017 season: 5
The former Giant has shown glimpses of his pace, guile and goal-smarts, but is yet to put them all together across four quarters. After featuring in the Blues' first five games of the season, the forward was demoted to the VFL at the weekend. The former No.4 draft pick, who bases his game on Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli, has undeniable talent.
Other Blues yet to feature in 2017 but eligible for a Rising Star nomination: Harry McKay, David Cuningham, Pat Kerr, Kym Lebois*, Jesse Glass-McCasker*.
*denotes rookie
