or maybe not.

can someone explain the criteria on how they pick the winner?

all i can find is this:

"One young player is nominated for the award after each round of home-and-away matches, with a panel of experts choosing the winner at the end of the season. To qualify for the NAB AFL Rising Star nomination, a player must be under 21 years of age as at January 1 of that year, must not have played more than 10 games to the start of that season and must not have been suspended by the AFL or State League tribunals during the season".

plenty on eligibility but not much on criteria.

so did rhys win because he had the best year (a'la brownlow) or because he is the best player (a'la aflpa mvp)?

i only ask because if it is the former (and i want proof not hearsay) then adrian anderson must go as it's obvious he was on the punt or has no idea or both.

if it was mvp style he has a leg to stand on.