Connor Rozee, Gryan Miers or Sam Walsh? Who will be the Round 3 AFL Rising Star nominee
Gryan Miers and Sam Walsh must have thought a Rising Star nomination was coming after their Round 3 efforts. Then Connor Rozee went ballistic at the Gabba. Who should get the nod?
Port Adelaide
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The Rising Star selectors have been blessed this weekend.
Elusive small forward Gryan Miers, No. 1 pick Sam Walsh and fellow first-round draftee Connor Rozee have produced matches worthy of the Round 3 nomination.
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Miers delivered a strong case to continue the Cats’ run of early-season nominees when he kicked 3.1 from 11 disposals in the Geelong’s victory over Adelaide on Thursday night.
Miers, who kicked seven goals in a TAC Cup grand final for Geelong Falcons, has averaged 14 disposals and three marks since his Round 1 debut.
“The program down there at the Geelong Falcons is one that we admire and we have said quite a few times we have a bias, a logical bias, towards local players,” coach Chris Scott said.
“It is also a reflection that we rate the programs that they run. When I say they, I mean the Falcons and our VFL program as well. We have got a strong history of bringing guys through our VFL program who a couple of years ago were playing in the local league.
“Gryan, it must be really exciting for him. I know he’s loving his footy. It’s come quite quickly because he was probably a fair way away at the start of pre-season.
“But with a flawless pre-season and a commitment to the team ethos he’s starting to prosper.”
Red-hot Rising Star favourite Sam Walsh bumped Miers from the likely Round 3 nomination on Saturday when he amassed 28 disposals, five marks and kicked 1.1 in Carlton’s loss to Sydney.
Walsh has been a short-priced favourite for the award since he was snapped up with the first pick in last year’s national draft.
His impressive performance against the Swans was a taste of what is to come from the classy on-baller.
“It can be a real trap that you get a young guy in with a real free mind and spirit (and) there’s a lot of structure and system in AFL,” Blues coach Brendon Bolton said.
“We have just been really mindful to let him fit into that, but without getting him to over think it. It’s so important that he keeps playing with the freedom and run that he does.
“We’re rapt with how he’s progressing. There will be some ups and downs this year for Walshy, I don’t think every game will be a perfect game. But what I love about him is his want to get better and most importantly, like today, his work ethic.”
If Walsh thought he was a monty to join Bailey Scott and Charlie Constable on the nominees list on Saturday afternoon, by Saturday night he must have wondered how he’d been toppled.
Rozee then likely usurped Walsh with an incredible five-goal effort in Port Adelaide’s thrilling loss to Brisbane Lions.
The No. 5 draft pick produced a performance it will be almost impossible for the Round 3 selectors to overlook, logging 21 possessions, seven marks and five goals.
“If there’s a better first year player play this round they probably deserve it,” Power coach Ken Hinkley said.
“But I don’t think they’ll see a better game.”
As brilliant as Miers was on Thursday and as prolific and hardworking as Walsh was on Saturday, there will be eyebrows raised if Rozee is overlooked.
In any ordinary round all three would be worthy winners, but this has been a weekend where the AFL’s young guns have thrust themselves firmly into the spotlight.
Richmond debutant Sydney Stack deserves an honourable mention after he had 17 disposals, eight marks and kicked a goal in the Tigers’ loss to GWS.
Originally published as Connor Rozee, Gryan Miers or Sam Walsh? Who will be the Round 3 AFL Rising Star nominee
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