This is a rise from just 12 clubs that put players forward last year.

Hosted by the Sportsmen’s Association of Australia Ballarat branch, the winner will follow in the footsteps of Springbank’s Joel Maher, who was crowned the league’s best rookie in 2013.

THE NOMINEES

BALLAN: Michael Snaith

The former Blues under-17.5 captain and junior best and fairest played 14 senior and three reserves games in 2014, predominantly in the forward line.

BEAUFORT: Lachie Pfeifer

Pfeifer played 16 senior games for the Crows in 2014, missing just one through his commitments with the AFL Goldfields under-17 team that travelled to Cairns. He played in a variety of positions on the ground and had a top-six finish in the club’s best and fairest.

BUNGAREE: Steven Ryan

The speedy winger/forward is a product of the Demons’ junior program, and after two years playing at St Albans Saints, he returned to the club this season. Ryan played two senior games and 15 in the reserves, including in the weekend’s grand final win over Waubra.

BUNINYONG: Jack Robertson

The 2013 under-17.5 league best and fairest played 19 senior games – including two finals – for the Bombers this year in a variety of roles. He was predominantly a forward and kicked 24 goals.

CARNGHAM-LINTON: Brad McDonald

Like some of his other rookie rivals, McDonald was eligible for the under-17.5 grade this season, but played just two games for the juniors and 15 senior games in 2014. He performed largely in the midfield.

CLUNES: Lachlan Wrigley

The Magpies have rated Wrigley’s efforts as a key defender this season, where he played 16 senior games and on some of the biggest names in the competition. At the club’s best and fairest count, Wrigley was named the senior side’s best defender.

CRESWICK: Brad Dunbar

After graduating from the Wickers’ under-17.5 side at the end of 2013, Dunbar played 11 senior and six reserves games this year. He played mainly forward for the senior side, kicking three goals.

DAYLESFORD: Josh Clough

After playing five senior games as a junior in 2013, Clough featured in 18 in his first full year out of the under-17.5s. His big build allowed him to play a key role forward for the Bulldogs, as well as in defence and on a wing.

DUNNSTOWN: Mitch Kennedy

The 18-year-old played 13 senior and four reserves games, where he held down a number of tagging roles against some of the top players in the competition.

GORDON: Gerard Clifford

The lifelong Gordon boy played in all of the Eagles’ 19 senior matches this season – including two finals – where he was a wise head in defence at just 17-years-old.

HEPBURN: Finn Anscombe

A 2013 senior premiership player with the Burras, the defender featured in all 19 senior games – including two finals – with Hepburn after stepping out of the juniors full-time this season.

LEARMONTH: Jackson Ford

Ford has been a regular member of the senior side for a number of seasons while being eligible for junior football. This year, the winger/onballer played 17 senior games – including a final – and was named CHFL captain for an intraleague under-17.5 clash.

NEWLYN: Sean Dummett

Dummett played every senior game this season and finished sixth in the Cats’ best and fairest for his efforts in the defensive half, midfield and also as a small forward.

ROKEWOOD-CORINDHAP: Caius Barrenger

The 18-year-old played all bar one senior game this season, where he held down a key role in defence. Barrenger finished third in the club’s best and fairest, polling in 12 separate rounds.

SKIPTON: Bryan Smith

The Emu small played three senior and 11 reserves games after graduating from the club’s under-17.5s last season.

SMYTHESDALE: Andrew Baker

Baker played three senior and five reserves games during season 2014, as well as all 17 in the under-17.5s.

SPRINGBANK: Darcy Osborne

Osborne showed his ability as a tap ruckman and player that can float forward in his six senior and nine reserves games in 2014.

WAUBRA: Nathan Lilley

As a bottom-age under-17.5 player, Lilley played six reserves games for the Roos, where he kicked seven goals.