Why "irresistible" Dean should be leading the Rising Star race

Harry Dean’s progression over his debut season has been second to none, developing into one of the game’s best lockdown key defenders within just his first 15 weeks at AFL level.

Over a five-week span, Carlton's young gun has faced some of the game’s premier tall forwards, with star key defensive partner Jacob Weitering struggling for fitness after a recurring calf concern.

But Dean has responded in a manner very few 18-year-olds are capable of.

After holding Mitch Georgiades, Ollie Henry, Nate Caddy and Aaron Cadman to a combined three goals over four weeks, Dean entered the Blues’ clash with West Coast with the challenge of Jake Waterman.

Waterman – who prior to Round 16, had taken the most shots on goal across the AFL – was held goalless and was entirely nullified by the 18-year-old.

A performance deserving of the highest praise, Dean’s stocks for the 2026 Rising Star award has soared, now running as the third favourite behind teammate Jagga Smith and West Coast’s Willem Duursma according to the bookies.

Speaking following his stunning performance, Adam Simpson believes the Blues’ father/son should be leading the way.

“Jagga Smith is the favourite, Willem Duursma is second favourite, which I can’t really have,” Gerard Whateley said on SEN Whateley.

“The third pick is Dean. If you were filling in the sheet today, would it be Smith or Dean?”

Simpson answered: “I just think Dean is so unique.

“He is 18, there’s no Jacob Weitering and he is playing like he has played 100 games.

“I think he’s got skill, he’s got the right amount of edge – he is not a James Sicily, distracted edge, but he is not going to back away - ‘If you want to have a fight, let’s have a fight’.

“I’d be Dean at one, Smith at two at the moment. They all played together on the weekend, so if you wanted one game to look at, Dean and Smith were pretty good.

“Smith had a pretty good day himself – Brady Hough ended up tagging Smith in the second half, so there’s a feather in his cap as well.

“It’s different positions – it is hard to judge.”

Whateley: “I think in the end, when you make your assessment, you go, Smith is part of a midfield with Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh and George Hewett, whereas Dean… these weeks without Weitering play so heavily when it’s time to vote.

“Without Weitering, he is playing as the key defender, and he is not giving up goals. He is not getting beaten.

“By the end, he will be irresistible if this path continues.”

Simpson: “He got tired at the end.

“Waterman had probably four or five possessions late, but you look at it – he is an 18-year-old, playing against the guy with the most shots this year, and I didn’t even see Jake, at all, for the whole day.

“There was enough delivery – they had 50 inside 50s.”