Why impressive Demon should be Rising Star favourite

Connor Scanlon • June 21st, 2025 11:10 am

Champion Data’s Daniel Hoyne believes the Rising Star race should already be over.

Hoyne declared that Melbourne winger Harvey Langford should be the clear winner, and is putting together one of the best first-year seasons in recent memory.

“Rising Star, 10 weeks away from getting announced, right now the Rising Star should be going straight to the hands of Harvey Langford,” Hoyne told SEN’s Sportsday.

“Out of the players that are eligible for the Rising Star this year, he’s having the best season of any player.”

Hoyne revealed Langford is currently rated among the top 100 players in the competition, which is an extremely rare achievement for a first-year player.

“He’s in the top 100 of the competition,” Hoyne said.

“Only Daniel Curtin is also top 100. The next highest-rated player is Murphy Reid at 110.”

If Langford can maintain his impressive form for the Dees, Hoyne revealed that the 19-year-old could soon join a very exclusive group.

“So, to put that into a bit of consideration with where a top 100 rated season sits in your first year in the AFL,” said Hoyne.

“Our ratings system goes back 15 years, only seven players in their very first season have been inside the top 100 at season’s end.

“Harvey Langford could be the 8th.”

The seven first-year players that were top 100 at the end of their debut season were:

Nick DaicosConnor RozeeNoah AndersonBailey SmithTom LangdonCallum MillsBayley Fritsch

With Langford on track to join an elite list of footballers, Hoyne admitted that his ball use is what separates him from the pack.

“What he’s doing from a ball use perspective, that is his point of difference on anyone in the competition,” Hoyne revealed.

“Out of all wingers he has the second most impact for ball use in the competition this year.

“He is having a brilliant season.”

Hoyne also flagged Langford’s potential to become even more damaging if he’s given midfield minutes, which would make him a definite lock for the Rising Star.

“I know a lot of people are talking about Melbourne’s midfield,” Hoyne said.

“Whether or not (Langford) gets injected because his point of difference is how he uses it.

“If he does get injected into there, he could almost lock himself away for the Rising Star.

“Because he could get even better with more exposure around the footy.”

Hoyne finished by admitting that Harvey Langford should be the favourite to take out the Rising Star Award, over current favourite Levi Ashcroft.

“This guy is shooting the lights out with his season,” Hoyne exclaimed.

“(He) should be recognised as Rising Star favourite.”