Clayton Oliver's Rival Dyson Sharp Becomes Essendon's Third Telstra AFL Rising Star Nominee of 2026

Clayton Oliver's rival Dyson Sharp has become Essendon's third Telstra AFL Rising Star nominee of 2026 after a standout performance against Greater Western Sydney.

What happened?

Sharp helped the Bombers to a breakthrough three-point win over the Giants at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, finishing with 23 disposals, 12 contested possessions, seven clearances, five tackles, and a goal. He was among the Bombers' best players, with only Clayton Oliver (17) and Sam Durham (13) having more contested possessions in the upset win.

Why it matters for Clayton Oliver

Sharp's performance is a testament to his growth as a player, and he joins fellow draftees Jacob Farrow (round five) and Sullivan Robey (round nine) as nominees for the Bombers this year. Playing mostly forward, Sharp made his debut in round one and kicked two goals, featuring in five of Essendon's first nine games. However, he was sidelined with a shoulder injury suffered in the round nine loss to the Giants before making his return.

What comes next?

Sharp's return to form is a significant boost for the Bombers, who are looking to make a push for the finals. With three nominees already, Essendon is one of several clubs vying for the most Rising Star nominations in 2026. Gold Coast, Richmond, and West Coast are the other clubs with three nominees this season.

Sharp's performance against the Giants was a highlight of the season, with the midfielder showing his ability to dominate games. He had a team-high three centre clearances and was instrumental in the Bombers' win. With Sharp's return to form, the Bombers will be looking to build on their momentum and make a push for the finals.

The 2026 Telstra AFL Rising Star nominees are:

- Opening Round: Leo Lombard (Gold Coast) - Round one: Jagga Smith (Carlton) - Round two: Jobe Shanahan (West Coast) - Round three: Willem Duursma (West Coast) - Round four: Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne) - Round five: Jacob Farrow (Essendon) - Round six: Phoenix Gothard (Greater Western Sydney) - Round seven: Sam Grlj (Richmond) - Round eight: Jack Whitlock (Port Adelaide) - Round nine: Sullivan Robey (Essendon) - Round 10: Josh Lindsay (West Coast) - Round 11: Patrick Retschko (Richmond) - Round 12: Harry Dean (Carlton) - Round 13: Cooper Hynes (Western Bulldogs) - Round 14: Jasper Alger (Richmond) - Round 15: Jai Murray (Gold Coast) - Round 16: Ty Gallop (Brisbane) - Round 17: Zeke Uwland (Gold Coast) - Round 18: Riley Hamilton (Greater Western Sydney) - Round 19: Dyson Sharp (Essendon)

Sharp's performance against the Giants was a significant win for the Bombers, and he will be looking to build on this momentum in the coming weeks. With three nominees already, Essendon is one of several clubs vying for the most Rising Star nominations in 2026.

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