SYDNEY Swans youngster Callum Mills will be crowned this year's NAB AFL Rising Star winner, according to AFL.com.au's reporters.
Mills polled 73 votes (out of a possible 80) from our 16 journalists, including maximum votes (five) from 10 reporters. Caleb Daniel finished nine votes behind the standout Swans defender on 62 votes.
Darcy Parish (43 votes), Jacob Weitering (24) and Christian Petracca (18) round out the predicted top five.
Mills would join teammate Daniel Hannebery (2010) and former champion Adam Goodes (1999) as Swans to have won the award.
The winner will be announced at a gala luncheon at Crown Palladium on Tuesday afternoon.
Nick Bowen
5. Callum Mills (Syd)
4. Caleb Daniel (WB)
3. Darcy Parish (Ess)
2. Jacob Weitering (Carl)
1. Jade Gresham (St K)
Why he should win: Mills has stepped into one of the competition's powerhouse teams and fitted right in. Reads the game extremely well, has the composure of a 10-year veteran under pressure and takes the right option time and time again.
Ash Browne
5 Callum Mills (Syd)
4 Caleb Daniel (WB)
3 Darcy Parish (Ess)
2 Jacob Weitering (Carl)
1 Jade Gresham (Stk)
Why he should win: Mills has slotted into the best team in the competition with the aplomb and maturity of a 100-gamer. He moves well, rarely fumbles or turns the ball over and is a key member of a back six that has improved markedly this year.
Ben Collins
5. Caleb Daniel (WB)
4. Callum Mills (Syd)
3. Darcy Parish (Ess)
2. Jacob Weitering (Carl)
1. Darcy Moore (Coll)
Why he should win: What the helmeted midfielder lacks in size and speed, he more than makes up for with his poise, deft ball use and a penchant for lifting in the big moments. Didn't play a bad game all season and his best was a coming-of-age performance in the Dogs' narrow loss to Hawthorn in round three.
Adam Curley
5. Callum Mills (Syd)
4. Caleb Daniel (WB)
3. Christian Petracca (Melb)
2. Jacob Weitering (Carl)
1. Darcy Parish (Ess)
Why he should win: Mills stepped into senior footy and not only played a role; he's made himself a vital component of the League's best defence to play 20 games in his debut season. Showed courage and leadership beyond his years.
Ryan Davidson
5. Callum Mills (Syd)
4. Caleb Daniel (WB)
3. James Sicily (Haw)
2. Darcy Parish (Ess)
1. Jacob Weitering (Carl)
Why he should win: It's hard to split the seasons Mills and Daniel have had with both already key cogs in top-eight sides. Mills has shown the maturity and composure of a 100-game player across half-back, while Daniel's vision and football IQ is a rarity for a midfielder so young. For Mills to have such an impact in his debut season, he'll just pip the diminutive Bulldog for the prestigious award.
Nat Edwards
5. Callum Mills (Syd)
4. Caleb Daniel (WB)
3. Tom Papley (Syd)
2. Darcy Parish (Ess)
1. Jacob Weitering (Carl)
Why he should win: Mills has slotted seamlessly into the Swans side this year, and incredibly in his first season is averaging 19 disposals and five marks per game. For a 19-year-old he is so composed and reads the play excellently in defence. Already a classy player, he is going to be an absolute star for the Swans for years to come.
Lee Gaskin
5. Caleb Daniel (WB)
4. Callum Mills (Syd)
3. Darcy Parish (Ess)
2. Jacob Weitering (Carl)
1. James Sicily (Haw)
Why he should win: Led all Rising Star nominations in possessions with 21.4 per game, sixth for inside 50s and top 10 for tackles. Quickly worked his way into the Bulldogs' best 22, playing 20 games this season.
Ben Guthrie
5. Callum Mills (Syd)
4. Darcy Parish (Ess)
3. Caleb Daniel (WB)
2. Christian Petracca (Melb)
1. Jacob Weitering (Carl)
Why he should win: What Parish was able to do in his first season deserves major kudos, but it's hard to go past Mills for the top honour. The 19-year-old walked into the Swans' first-choice lineup, displaying the poise, toughness and football smarts of a seasoned veteran.
Travis King
5. Christian Petracca (Melb)
4. Darcy Moore (Coll)
3. Caleb Daniel (WB)
2. Callum Mills (Syd)
1. Peter Wright (GC)
Why he should win: Petracca gets my vote for the simple reason that when he gets the footy, exciting things happen. His foot skills in the wet against West Coast in round 18 were phenomenal and the damage he can do will soon elevate him into the AFL's elite.
Caleb Daniel is tipped to run second in this year's Rising Star award. Picture: AFL Photos
Alex Malcolm
5. Callum Mills (Syd)
4. Caleb Daniel (WB)
3. Jacob Weitering (Carl)
2. Darcy Parish (Ess)
1. Tom Papley (Syd)
Why he should win: Mills has settled into the Swans' defence with the ease of a 10-year veteran changing clubs. His composure and consistency were standout features this season and a level above the other nominees.
Dinny Navaratnam
5. Callum Mills (Syd)
4. Darcy Parish (Ess)
3. Caleb Daniel (WB)
2. Christian Petracca (Melb)
1. Jade Gresham (StK)
Why he should win: From the moment he stepped into the Sydney Swans' line-up in round one, Mills has looked a defender accomplished far beyond his years. He's tough and can be relied upon to get the job done.
Peter Ryan
5. Caleb Daniel (Western Bulldogs)
4. Callum Mills (Sydney Swans)
3. Darcy Parish (Essendon)
2. Jacob Weitering (Carlton)
1. Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
Why he should win: The pint-sized midfielder kept a cool head in big moments against Port Adelaide and the Sydney Swans that helped the Western Bulldogs over the line in two games between rounds 12 and 15. Not only an outstanding decision maker, he executes brilliantly and has the courage to find the ball in tight spots.
Darcy Parish has had a sensational season for the battling Bombers. Picture: AFL Photos
Nathan Schmook
5. Callum Mills (Syd)
4. Caleb Daniel (WB)
3. Darcy Parish (Ess)
2. Jacob Weitering (Car)
1. Christian Petracca (Melb)
Why he should win: Simply unrivalled this year for impact on his team. For a 19-year-old, his courage and ability to intercept mark – highlighted in round 16 against Geelong – has already made him one of the Swans' most important players.
Matt Thompson
5. Callum Mills (Syd)
4. Caleb Daniel (WB)
3. Darcy Parish (Ess)
2. Christian Petracca (Melb)
1. Daniel Rioli (Rich)
Why he should win: Mills has cemented a place in a Swans defensive setup where competition for spots are fierce. His consistent performance is why he wins, but his love of the game makes him the all-round rising star on and off the field. Back in August, Mills told Sydney radio he's 'pumped' to be playing footy for a living 'rather than working in a bar or being a uni student' – that attitude sums him up.
Callum Twomey
5. Darcy Parish (Ess)
4. Callum Mills (Syd)
3. Caleb Daniel (WB)
2. Christian Petracca (Melb)
1. Jade Gresham (StK)
Why he should win: Parish played all bar two games (when he was rested both times), averaged 21 disposals and nearly half of those were won in contested situations. He quickly became one of Essendon's best players and most important midfielders.
Michael Whiting
5. Callum Mills (Syd)
4. Jacob Weitering (Carl)
3. Caleb Daniel (WB)
2. Darcy Parish (Ess)
1. Peter Wright (GC)
Why he should win: Mills has been a revelation in the Swans backline. Despite being just his first season, the 19-year-old controls the defensive 50 with his ability to organise and intercept marking. Has a level head, makes good decisions and plays well beyond his years.
Top five leaderboard
Callum Mills - 73
Caleb Daniel - 62
Darcy Parish - 43
Jacob Weitering - 24
Christian Petracca - 18
