<p>Who will win the 2025 AFL Rising Star?</p> <p>Since 1993, the AFL Rising Star award has recognised the league’s best young talent, crowning one standout player each season with the prestigious Ron Evans Medal.</p> <p>The 2025 field is as strong as ever, with several exciting prospects making their mark across the competition. But in a tightly contested race, a few names have risen above the rest — while others are lurking as surprise smokeys.</p> <p>So, who will etch their name into AFL history in 2025? Who are the top contenders? And which young guns could sneak onto the podium?</p> <p>Read on for Sportbet’s 2025 AFL Rising Star Award Tips &amp; Predictions — including leading contenders, dark horses, and the full list of nominees.</p> <p><br /> &nbsp;</p> <h2>Who Will Win the AFL Rising Star Award 2025 - Top Contenders</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Levi Ashcroft</h3> <p>The pre-season favourite, Ashcroft, hit the ground running in 2025. His early nomination backed up his form as he seamlessly slotted into the Lions’ best 22.</p> <p>Still playing meaningful footy deep into finals, expect Ashcroft to feature prominently in the final vote count — likely on the podium.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Murphy Reid</h3> <p>He dazzled on debut with four goals in a row, and from then on, Murphy Reid has been one of the most consistent and exciting performers in 2025.&nbsp;</p> <p>His silky skills and elite ball use have kept him in Rising Star contention all season. He’s a clear favourite — and likely to finish on the podium, if not at the very top.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Dan Curtin</h3> <p>Curtin’s rise has mirrored the Crows’ surge up the ladder in 2025. At various points in the season, he was the outright favourite to take home the award.</p> <p>Whether on the wing, up forward, or through the middle, Curtin’s versatility and impact justified Adelaide’s bold draft-day trade to secure him. Has he done enough to pip Reid and Ashcroft?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Harvey Langford</h3> <p>Despite a tough season for Melbourne, Langford shone brightly, establishing himself as a star of the future in Red and Blue.&nbsp;</p> <p>He played all 22 games, averaged 17.9 disposals, and kicked 14 goals, proving his worth across multiple positions.</p> <p>A consistent presence in the Dees’ midfield rotation and a top-10 finisher in the club’s best and fairest — he’s a strong chance to poll well.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Connor O’Sullivan</h3> <p>After playing just the one game in his debut season last year, O’Sullivan fitted in seamlessly to the Geelong defensive group in 2025, showing all the hallmarks of a premium tall defender.&nbsp;</p> <p>Showing his composure under pressure and confidence in the air, his intercepting ability was on show, and he won several of his one-on-one battles against more seasoned opponents.</p> <p>He’s had an excellent year and is a name to keep in mind when the votes are tallied.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>2025 Rising Star Award Smokeys - Value Picks</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Archie Roberts</h3> <p>One of only a handful of Bombers to play every game in 2025, Roberts grew in confidence and output each week.</p> <p>Averaging 24.5 disposals per game, with a season-high 34 in the Dreamtime clash, Roberts has the numbers to surprise. He’s a serious top-five smokey.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Finn O’Sullivan</h3> <p>The young Roo quickly became one of the most exciting first-year players in 2025.</p> <p>Deployed across half back and across the wing early in his first year, before unleashing him closer to goal, showcased his versatility across all areas of the ground to be among the contenders for the Rising Star award this season.&nbsp;</p> <p>His standout performance came in Round 15, where he collected 18 disposals at 75% efficiency, three intercept possessions, and three score involvements, capping off several weeks of strong performances to help the Roos down the Blues.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Isaac Kako</h3> <p>Despite a tough season for Melbourne, Langford shone brightly. He played all 22 games, averaged 17.9 disposals, and kicked 14 goals, proving his worth across multiple positions.</p> <p>A consistent presence in the Dees’ midfield rotation and a top-10 finisher in the club’s best and fairest — he’s a strong chance to poll well.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Full List: 2025 Rising Star Award Nominees</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Round 1 - Sam Lalor - Richmond</p> <p>Round 2 - Connor O’Sullivan - Geelong</p> <p>Round 3 - Harvey Langford - Melbourne</p> <p>Round 4 - Levi Ashcroft - Brisbane</p> <p>Round 5 - Archie Roberts - Essendon</p> <p>Round 6 - Murphy Reid - Fremantle</p> <p>Round 7 - Xavier Lindsay - Melbourne</p> <p>Round 8 - Hugo Garcia - St Kilda</p> <p>Round 9 - Nate Caddy - Essendon</p> <p>Round 10 - Cooper Lord - Carlton</p> <p>Round 11 - Angus Clarke - Essendon</p> <p>Round 12 - Ed Allan - Collingwood</p> <p>Round 13 - Dan Curtin - Adelaide</p> <p>Round 14 - Tyrell Dewar - West Coast</p> <p>Round 15 - Finn O’Sullivan - North Melbourne</p> <p>Round 16 - Clay Hall - West Coast</p> <p>Round 17 - Isaac Kako - Essendon</p> <p>Round 18 - Luke Trainor - Richmond</p> <p>Round 19 - Ashton Moir - Carlton</p> <p>Round 20 - Joe Fonti - GWS Giants</p> <p>Round 21 - Ethan Read - Gold Coast</p> <p>Round 22 - Hugh Boxshall - St Kilda</p> <p>Round 23 - Harry Rowston - GWS Giants</p> <p>Round 24 - Matt Carroll - Carlton</p> <p><br /> &nbsp;</p> <h2>Who Has Won the AFL Rising Star Award?</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>2024 - Ollie Dempsey - Geelong</p> <p>2023 - Harry Sheezel - North Melbourne</p> <p>2022 - Nick Daicos - Collingwood</p> <p>2021 - Luke Jackson - Melbourne</p> <p>2020 - Caleb Serong - Fremantle</p> <p>2019 - Sam Walsh - Carlton</p> <p>2018 - Jaidyn Stephenson - Collingwood</p> <p>2017 - Andrew McGrath - Essendon</p> <p>2016 - Callum Mills - Sydney</p> <p>2015 - Jesse Hogan - Melbourne</p> <p>2014 - Lewis Taylor - Brisbane</p> <p>2013 - Jaeger O’Meara - Gold Coast</p> <p>2012 - Daniel Talia - Adelaide</p> <p>2011- Dyson Heppell - Essendon</p> <p>2010 - Daniel Hannebery - Sydney</p> <p>2009 - Daniel Rich - Brisbane</p> <p>2008 - Rhys Palmer - Fremantle</p> <p>2007 - Joel Selwood - Geelong</p> <p>2006 - Danyle Pearce - Port Adelaide</p> <p>2005 - Brett Deledio - Richmond</p> <p>2004 - Jared Rivers - Melbourne</p> <p>2003 - Sam Mitchell - Hawthorn</p> <p>2002 - Nick Riewoldt - St Kilda</p> <p>2001 - Justin Koschitzke - St Kilda</p> <p>2000 - Paul Haselby - Fremantle</p> <p>1999 - Adam Goodes - Sydney</p> <p>1998 - Byron Pickett - North Melbourne</p> <p>1997 - Michael Wilson - Port Adelaide&nbsp;</p> <p>1996 - Ben Cousins - West Coast</p> <p>1995 - Nick Holland - Hawthorn</p> <p>1994 - Chris Scott - Brisbane</p> <p>1993 - Nathan Buckley - Brisbane</p>