There’s a no-nonsense, country simplicity to Carlton’s breakout talent.

Talor Byrne has earned this week’s Rising Star nomination for his three-goal performance against Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

Byrne has sparked a Carlton forward line that started this year flat, clunky and unconnected.

But the small forward, true to form, isn’t one for individual compliments or accomplishments.

“I haven’t called anyone yet, I haven’t told anyone yet. I should probably tell them soon,” Byrne said with a laugh when asked who he shared his nomination news with first.

Byrne plays with the enthusiasm and flair of a young player relishing every minute at AFL level.

But before he was drafted, Byrne needed to divert back to local footy to rediscover that passion for the game.

“I guess, in my bottom age year I was sort of not sure if I wanted to do it and, I guess, in the back end of the year played some alright footy,” he said.

“In the pre-season I just had to lock in and give it a red-hot crack and I guess that’s why I am here now.

“I wasn’t playing very good footy (at the end of my bottom age year), so I was just doubting myself sort of thing.

“I was still playing a bit of footy at the (GWV) Rebels but also, when I wasn’t going so well, I played for my local club.

“My local coach was unreal for me, Chris McLaren, he sort of just helped me along there and just made me enjoy my footy again.”

Byrne was selected by Carlton at pick 45 of last year’s national draft and moved in with star midfielder Sam Walsh.

Walsh was a landlord, teammate, mentor, friend and the beneficiary of a departing gift.

“I moved in with (Walsh), he was great showing me the ropes, getting to know everyone and even him as a person – I didn’t really know him,” he said.

“He had me for a lot longer than he probably expected (because) it took us a bit longer to find a house. He was great for the start of my career.

“I got him a big slab (of steaks) one day just to say thanks for having me, from my cousin, he works at Midfield Meats.”

Byrne now lives with fellow young Blues Billy Wilson, Flynn Young and Harry Dean.

He’d put Young at the top of the housemate leaderboard, though it’s Dean who shares his late-night bursts of energy.

“We all take (cooking and cleaning) in turns, whether some of us are very good at it or not,” Byrne said.

“I’d say Flynn Young is the best one, he cooks and loves going in his little cleaning modes but the rest of us aren’t great.

“Me and Deany, I don’t know what’s the go with us, at night-time we just somehow find another gear and start running around to burn a bit of energy.

“That puts us to sleep, so that’s pretty good.”

Originally published as AFL 2026: Carlton small forward Talor Byrne wins Round 20 Rising Star nomination