Classy flanker David Pocock is the hot favourite to be crowned Australian rugby's player of the year next month.

The top 10 contenders for the 2010 John Eales Medal were unveiled on Wednesday with Wallabies midfielder Matt Giteau in the mix to become the first player in the award's nine-year history to go back-to-back.

Realistically, though, Pocock is odds-on to take the spoils after an outstanding season at international level.

Pocock, with 149 votes, led the poll from Giteau (146), playmaker Quade Cooper (130), injured No.8 Wycliff Palu (113) and halfback Will Genia (74) after the June Tests.

And the 22-year-old pocket rocket was immense for Australia during the Tri-Nations tournament after voting went behind closed doors.

It would be a major shock if the chasing pack, including the five other nominees - Test captain Rocky Elsom, fullback Kurtley Beale, utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper, lock Nathan Sharpe and reserve halfback Luke Burgess - ran Pocock down.

Palu led the voting after a brilliant spring tour last November, but his hopes have been scuppered after missing the winter Tests with a knee injury.

Should Pocock prevail, it would continue the back-rowers' dominance of the award.

Champion flanker George Smith won the inaugural John Eales Medal in 2002 and again in 2008, while fellow back-rowers Phil Waugh (2003) and David Lyons (2004) have also collected the gong.

Hooker Jeremy Paul won in 2005, fullback Chris Latham in 2006, Sharpe in 2007 and Giteau last year.

Rugby's top individual honour - to be presented at the annual ARU awards night in Sydney on October 21 - is decided by polling from 15 Tests beginning with the spring tour and concluding after the final Tri-Nations match.

The 22 players involved in each Test cast votes on a 3-2-1 basis.

Other awards up for grabs include rookie of the year, try of the year, women's player of the year and sevens player of the year.

Members of the public can also vote for their favourite Wallabies player online at www.rugby.com.au from Friday to decide who from the shortlist will be crowned Australia's Choice as Wallaby of the Year.

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