The youngsters pushing Jagga for the Rising Star

After just a couple of games, many thought the 2026 Rising Star race was over, with Carlton’s Jagga Smith looming as a runaway winner.

While the ball magnet Blue is still the bookie’s favourite, Kane Cornes thinks the race is ‘well and truly back on’ after some other youngsters have shown huge flashes across the past fortnight.

The main player competing for the crown at this stage is No. 1 pick Willem Duursma, with the Eagle showing superstar potential after having 10 scoring shots in the last three weeks to go with an average of 17 disposals.

SEN Breakfast trio Cornes, David King and Tom Morris discussed how the award was shaping up and whether it was still considered Smith’s to lose at this early stage.

King: “Is the Rising Star competition back on? 

“Everyone was saying Jagga Smith, and it’s over.”

Cornes: “I think it's well and truly back on.”

King: “Willem Duursma?”

Cornes: “Would he (Smith) even be favourite now?”

King: “Even Cooper Trembath, is he in the chat?”

Cornes: “He's in the chat.”

King: “Do you think it's Jagga’s award?”

Morris: “I think if all things are equal, that it's Jagga’s to lose, but I don't think the others are out of the question.”

Cornes: “Is it Duursma's to lose or Jagga’s to lose?”

Morris: “I think it’s Jagga’s.”

King: “I think Duursma looks unbelievable.”

Morris: “He does. It’s a good contest.”

Cornes: “I don't mind Uwland either, Zeke the freak.”

As things stand, Smith is a $2.25 favourite to win the Rising Star with Sportsbet, while Duursma is just behind him at $3.00.

The next favourites are Richmond’s Sam Grlj ($21), Gold Coast’s Zeke Uwland ($21), North’s Cooper Trembath ($26) and West Coast’s Jobe Shanahan ($26).