Essendon has a long association with the AFL’s Rising Star award.

Orazio Fantasia’s became the Club’s latest nomination when he was recognised for his 27-possession performance against Collingwood.

The award was first given out in 1993.  Essendon had five nominations that season and those young players featured prominently in the Grand Final win over Carlton.

Essendon has had the second most (36) nominations of any Club in the history of the award, including Dyson Heppell who won the award in 2011.

Twelve of Essendon’s nominees have gone on to become premiership players.

Michael Hurley is one of nine players to have been nominated for the award twice.

1993 – Joe Misiti

1993 – James Hird

1993 – Dustin Fletcher

1993 – Ricky Olarenshaw

1993 – Mark Mercuri

1994 – Che Cockatoo-Collins

1994 – Scott Cummings

1995 – Ryan O’Connor

1996 – Matthew Lloyd

1997 – Blake Caracella

1998 – Jason Johnson

1999 – Dean Rioli

1999 – Dean Solomon

1999 – Mark Johnson

2000 – Adam Ramanauskas

2001 – Aaron Henneman

2001 – Danny Jacobs

2001 – Mark McVeigh

2003 – Ted Richards

2003 – Marc Bullen

2004 – Brent Stanton

2005 – Kepler Bradley

2005 – Jason Laycock

2007 – Patrick Ryder

2008 – Bachar Houli

2008 – Kyle Reimers

2009 – David Zaharakis

2009 – Tayte Pears

2009 – Michael Hurley

2010 – Jake Melksham

2010 – Michael Hurley

2011 – Dyson Heppell

2012 – Jake Carlisle

2014 – Zach Merrett

2014 – Joe Daniher

2015 – Orazio Fantasia