THE first man to miss out on an AFL Rising Star award because of suspension says there will be little consolation for Toby Greene when this year's award is announced on Wednesday.

Corey McKernan was widely considered to be one of the hottest properties in the game in his first full season in 1994 but was ineligible due to a suspension for tripping by hand.

The award went to Brisbane Bears rookie and current Geelong coach Chris Scott despite many believing McKernan had a better season.

Eighteen years later, Greater Western Sydney midfielder Toby Greene is ineligible for the award despite averaging 28.4 possessions a game – the 10th highest average of any AFL player this season.

Greene was nominated for the award in round 14 after he had already been ruled ineligible for a one game rough conduct suspension against the Brisbane Lions' Jed Adcock in round eight.

McKernan said Greene's impressive performances were irrelevant as there was little he could do to change the Rising Star eligibility rules.

"It wouldn't matter if he'd averaged 40 touches a game, it doesn't change the rules," McKernan told AFL.com.au.

"Some would argue that if you've missed a game and you've done enough to come back and win it then you deserve to win it but it throws up the whole conjecture about whether it should be a best and fairest as opposed to the best player. It creates a grey area in the debate."

McKernan said Greene would have a feeling of helplessness on Wednesday as he watched the winner accept his trophy.

"The rules are in place. As to whether they are going to change it, he's in the same position as I was, you don't get a lot of say in it," he said.

"If you know you're suspended then unfortunately there's not a lot you can do."

McKernan said if there were any consolation for Greene, it would be that he seems to have a long and successful career in front of him.

"A Rising Star award is always going to look good on the CV but being the player that Toby is I think he's going to go on to bigger and better things and this isn't even going to be on the radar. If he keeps this form up he could win MVPs, the whole box and dice," McKernan said.

"It's only the last few weeks where everyone's commented on what a good year he's had. He's shown a maturity beyond his years and he is really going to be a special player for years to come."