The National AFL Rising Star award is given annually to a stand out young player in the Australian Football League.

[1] The 2002 medal was awarded to St Kilda player Nick Riewoldt.

[2][3] Every round, an Australian Football League rising star nomination is given to a stand out young player.

To be eligible for the award, a player must be under 21 on 1 January of that year, have played 10 or fewer senior games and not been suspended during the season.

[1] [3] The seven members of the All-Australian team selection panel voted for the National AFL Rising Star for 2002, with each voter ranking their top 5 players from the 22 players nominated during the year.