EXCITING Carlton defender Harry Dean has earned this week's Telstra AFL Rising Star nomination after a standout performance in the Blues’ Round 12 win against Geelong.
In just his 10th AFL game, Dean had a career-high 15 disposals and four tackles, along with seven intercept possessions – the most of anyone on the ground.
Dean is one of five Carlton players to make their AFL debut this year, alongside Jagga Smith (Opening Round), Talor Byrne (Round 3), Wade Derksen (Round 4) and Jack Ison (Round 10) and was one of six players who have played 12 games or less on Friday night.
Since Round 10 last year, Carlton has secured five Rising Star nominations – Cooper Lord, Ashton Moir, Matthew Carroll, Jagga Smith and now Harry Dean.
Today’s announcement follows an impressive start to Dean’s AFL career, including an excellent game against Port Adelaide last week where he accumulated 12 disposals and six intercept possessions, including three intercept marks.
With pick No.3 in the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft, Dean arrived at Carlton as a father-son recruit. Son of dual Carlton premiership player Peter Dean, Harry made an immediate impression since walking through the doors at IKON Park, highly regarded for his aerial ability and competitiveness.
Standing at 193cm and at just 18 years old, he brings an old-school hardness to Carlton’s defence, where he is currently ranked No.3 at Carlton for spoils and No.5 for intercepts. Always eager to further his game education, he has embraced the mentorship of Jacob Weitering and Nic Newman, who have taken Dean under their wing.
AFL Interim Senior Coach Josh Fraser said today’s announcement is just reward for Dean's hard work after such a promising start in the AFL.
"Harry has been outstanding since the moment he walked through our doors,” Fraser said.
“For an 18-year-old key defender to come in and perform with such composure and maturity at AFL level is rare. This nomination is well deserved, and we're excited for him to get his acknowledgement.
“Harry is everything you want in a young defender: enthusiastic and aggressive, with the willingness to take on the game. He’s becoming a real favourite amongst the playing group, not just how he holds himself on the field but also the teammate he is turning into off the field.
“Harry is exactly the type of young man and footballer this club is trying to develop. Someone tough, composed and hungry to improve every day. We can’t wait to see what he does next."
