With Gold Coast sensation Matt Rowell out of the picture for this season’s Rising Star race, the pool of rookies in 2020 have not failed to let us down in making the chase for the honours a close competition.

The Suns have continued their surge without their bullish onballer, with a host of first-year sidekicks stepping up in his absence.

While five nominations are still up for grabs, we take a look at the five strongest contenders for the overall Rising Star Award in 2020.

Caleb Serong

The gritty midfielder launched into contention after his round eight performance against Geelong, winning his nomination after 22 touches, 10 contested possessions, seven tackles and a goal against the Cats.

Since then, Serong has collected over 20 touches in three of his last four matches, with the Dockers collecting a win in each match he reached the feat.

The 19-year-old is the clear favourite for the Rising Star title, but he will need to maintain his form as Fremantle come up against four clubs above them on the ladder in their last five rounds to end the season.

Max King

An elongated nomination, but King’s named was pencilled into the class of 2020 after his best perforce of the season in round 12.

King pulled in four marks (three contested) from his seven disposals against the Bombers and booted an equal career-high three goals in the Saints victory.

The brute forward is already a proven goal-scorer, already tallying 18 majors for the season across his 13 matches in 2020, only being held goalless on three occasions.

King stands a great chance to go ahead of Serong in the power rankings as he continues to play a significant role in St Kilda’s finals push. Click here for Pointsbet offers, if you want to back King and St Kilda.

Izak Rankine

It seems the Suns’ patience with their treasured prodigy has paid off, with Rankine living up to the livewire expectations that were thrust open.

The dazzling forward has flared for the Suns in his first eight games with the club, despite just the one victory.

A three-goal performance and a Rising Star nomination on debut were quickly backed-up by 16 touches and two goals in his first career win, with the youngster a proven match-winner in his second season in the league.

For Rankine, an improvement in goalkicking and decision-making are a must if he wants to earn the honours of Rising Star in 2020.

Noah Anderson

The No.2 selection in the 2019 draft, Anderson perhaps flew under the radar up until his last month of football.

Anderson collected double-digit disposal counts in 11 of his opening 12 matches in the AFL, highlighted with 26 possessions (13 contested) against the reigning premiers.

His versatility and dependable efforts have been a major cog in the Suns success in 2020, with his ability to thrive in the air while being a threat on the ground.

Playing every game so far this season gives Anderson a great appeal for the Rising Star, giving voters much to consider if he is to end 2020 with strong numbers from 17 games.

Will Day

The Hawthorn youngster is yet to receive a nomination in 2020, but we’re sure one is on its way.

In a season where the Hawks are coming to terms with a bottom-half finish and the beginning of a rebuild, Day has been a standout performer as the answer to the club’s future.

His professionalism and decision making in the Hawks’ backline matches that of a veteran, leading a lacklustre defence at the age of 19.

Day has offered excellent service off the back-50 and is a name to watch out for in 2020 and beyond.