Jaidyn Stephenson has played a key role in Collingwood's vastly-improved attack and that should earn him the AFL Rising Star award.
Stephenson, Adelaide defender Tom Doedee and Brisbane backman Alex Witherden are the three front runners for the Rising Star, which will be announced on Friday in Melbourne.
The speedy Magpies goalsneak is the only player among the three favourites to play every game this season and his claims are impressive.
After not kicking any goals in the opening three rounds, Stephenson burst to prominence with a season-high haul of five against Adelaide.
Stephenson, Will Hoskin-Elliott and Josh Thomas are the Magpies' Swoop Squad, the mid-sized forwards who have beefed up the Collingwood goalscoring.
One of the biggest knocks on the Magpies in the last few years has been their lack of forward system.
Hoskin-Elliott leads the club's goalkickers this season with 39, Thomas is third behind marking target Jordan De Goey and Stephenson is fourth with 34.
Despite a horror run of injuries, Collingwood finished third this season and are in their first finals series since 2013.
Stephenson's debut season is even more impressive considering some clubs shied away from recruiting the 19-year-old because he has a genetic heart condition.
Collingwood took him at No.6 in last year's national draft.
Doedee has taken a longer path, with the Crows recruiting him with the No.17 pick in the 2015 draft.
But he has been one of the standouts in the Crows' horror season, making his debut and playing 20 games.
Witherden made his debut last season at the Lions, playing nine games.
He played another 21 this year and is one of the main reasons that Brisbane are bullish about their future.
Other prominent Rising Star nominees this season include Richmond utility Jack Higgins, Witherden's teammate and No.1 draft pick Cam Rayner, Geelong's Jack Henry and Sydney midfielder Oliver Florent.
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