Who will win the John Eales Medal?

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A VETERAN, a rising star and a rugby rookie lead the charge for this year's John Eales Medal. We crunch the numbers so you can make an informed decision in our knock-out poll.

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Hooker Stephen Moore, flanker Michael Hooper and attacking ace Israel Folau, in just his first year of rugby union, are three of the names challenging for the prize.

Fox Sports Stats have crunched the numbers and come up with a list of nine players in the running for the honour to be crowned Australia's best player for the past 12 months.

The Medal is judged by the players, with each Wallaby awarding points on a 3-2-1 basis after every match, and takes in Tests from the 2012 end-of-year spring tour right through until last weekend's Bledisloe Cup clash with the All Blacks.

Bad boys Quade Cooper and James O'Connor generated plenty of headlines during that period but also cost themselves a host of appearances through off-field antics, while injury probably hurt the hopes of skipper James Horwill and vice-captain Will Genia with neither playing in the northern hemisphere last year.

Catch the John Eales Medal LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on Thursday, October 24, 8.30pm (EDT) on Fox Sports 1HD.

Hooper, who finished third in last year's Medal race and was named rookie of the year, looks a strong chance to take out the gong after another stellar campaign in just his second season.

The flanker played in all 14 matches during the voting period and often earned rave reviews after going toe-to-toe with the likes of All Blacks great Richie McCaw, British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton and England skipper Chris Robshaw - and regularly coming out on top.

Hooker Moore, 30, shows no signs of slowing down after also featuring in all 14 matches. A tireless and quality contributor around the paddock, the veteran's work isn't always reflected in the stats but his teammates are sure to appreciate his efforts.

Folau was simply superb from the moment he stepped on to the Test scene, scoring two tries on debut against the British and Irish Lions. After starting his Wallaby career on the wing, Folau was moved to fullback to ensure he saw more of the ball and flourished in the No.15 jersey, highlighted by his hat-trick of tries against Argentina in Rosario.

A string of other Wallabies - prop Ben Alexander, utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper, fullback/flyhalf Kurtley Beale, centre Christian Lealiifano and No.8s Ben Mowen and Wycliff Palu - also performed strongly at times in what was a tough 12 months for Australian rugby, with just six victories from those 14 Tests.

We've run the rule over all the contenders, with their key stats listed below. Check them out and then vote in our poll on who you think should win the John Eales Medal for 2013.

Get involved in the John Eales Medal discussion via the comments section (at the bottom of the page) and on Twitter: tweet using the hashtag #JEM2013

THE MATCHES

Nov 10, 2012: France 33-6 Australia at Stade de France, Paris

Nov 17, 2012: England 14-20 Australia at Twickenham, London

Nov 24, 2012: Italy 19-22 Australia at Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence

Dec 1, 2012: Wales 12-14 Australia at Millenium Stadium, Cardiff

June 22, 2013: Australia 21-23 British and Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

June 29, 2013: Australia 16-15 British and Irish Lions at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne

July 5, 2013: Australia 16-41 British and Irish Lions at ANZ Stadium, Sydney

August 17, 2013: Australia 27-49 New Zealand at ANZ Stadium, Sydney

August 24, 2013: New Zealand 27-17 Australia at Eden Park, Auckland

September 7, 2013: Australia 12-38 South Africa at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

September 14, 2013: Australia 14-13 Argentina at Patersons Stadium, Perth

September 28, 2013: South Africa 28-8 Australia at Newlands, Cape Town

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October 5, 2013: Argentina 17-54 Australia at Estadio Gigante de Arroyito, Rosario

October 19, 2013: New Zealand 41-33 Australia at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

THE CONTENDERS

Ben Alexander

A virtual fixture in the front-row, missed just one game for the Wallabies during the John Eales Medal period. Was both equal fifth for tackles (72) and pilfers/penalties-forced (three).

Games: 13
Minutes: 707
Tries: 0
Points: 0

Adam Ashley-Cooper

Another ultra-consistent season from the utility back, who played every game - shifting between wing and outside centre. Played the most minutes of any Wallaby (1098) in that period and was second for tries (three), run metres (676), and tackle busts (22).

Games: 14
Minutes: 1098
Tries: 3
Points: 15

Kurtley Beale

Started every game at flyhalf on last season's spring tour, and played all three Tests against the Lions before he was sidelined by injury. Led the way with kick metres (1823), offloads (14) and linebreak assists (four) and also chimed in with the third-most points (26).

Games: 7
Minutes: 521
Tries: 1
Points: 26

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Israel Folau

Stellar debut season for the former NRL star, who looked right at home from the opening minute of his first Test. Two tries on debut (v Lions) and a hat-trick against Argentina the highlights. In his 10 games he scored the most five-pointers (seven) to be second on the points tally (35) and led the way for run metres (828), tackle busts (45) and linebreaks (10).

Games: 10
Minutes: 748
Tries: 7
Points: 35

Michael Hooper

A leading contender for the medal given he played all 14 games and was on the field for the second-most minutes (971). Was first for pilfers and penalties forced (10) as well as tackles (151). He also contributed the third-most run metres (571) and tackle busts (18) and fourth-most offloads (10). Made the most tackles (151)

Games: 14
Minutes: 971
Tries: 0
Points: 0

Christian Lealiifano

Another player who stepped up to the mark in debut Test season, with accomplished and accurate goalkicking a highlight - his 86 points making him a runaway leader in that category.

Games: 9
Minutes: 589
Tries: 0
Points: 86

Stephen Moore

An ever-present at hooker for the Wallabies, the veteran played in all 14 Tests and was third for most minutes (867). His strong, consistent play isn't always recognised by the stats but was second for most tackles (96).

Games: 14
Minutes: 867
Tries: 0
Points: 0

Ben Mowen

Another rookie who made a seamless transition to Test rugby, even captaining the Wallabies in just his seventh international. Led the Wallabies for lineouts won (31), was third for tackles (94), and despite missing all four spring tour Tests was fourth for most minutes played (773).

Games: 10
Minutes: 773
Tries: 0
Points: 0

Wycliff Palu

Only managed to play half the Tests in the period due to injury but still managed to make his mark with a string of standout performances. Was equal fifth for tackles (72) and offloads (eight).