QAFL Rising Star winner Nathan Colenso has nominated for the AFL national draft.

QAFL Rising Star winner Nathan Colenso has nominated for the national draft. The 17-year-old Park Ridge Pirates junior had a sensational debut season in the QAFL with Morningside which aroused interest from up to six AFL clubs.

QAFL Rising Star winner Nathan Colenso has nominated for the national draft in November.

The 17-year-old Park Ridge Pirates junior had a sensational debut season in the QAFL with Morningside which aroused interest from up to six AFL clubs.

“It’s exciting but really until someone selects you, it is still a dream,’’ Colenso said. “I need to continue to work hard and back up my first year with an even better year so the recruiters have no choice but to look at my form and results. If I do that who knows what will happen.’’

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A deep forward and sometimes midfielder, Colenso kicked 38 goals for the Panthers.

Asked when he felt he belonged playing alongside the men in the QAFL, Colenso reflected. “I think the day in round six against Mt Gravatt. I kicked six goals and the boys really looked for me as a target.

Nathan Colenso moves to hustle Palm Beach Currumbin player Jesse Derrick. Pic Mike Batterham

“I played on a really good defender and thought ‘I think I can really compete at this level’ and contribute to team and not just make up numbers.’’

Colenso believed having a season of senior football playing with men, when he was a member of the Pirates 2018 Division 2 premiership winning side, helped him adjust to the QAFL.

Park Ridge Pirates Nathan Colenso and Riley Greene leave the field in their junior days.

“I worked hard over pre-season and the more we trained and played pre-season games the more comfortable I felt,’’ Colenso said.

“I think having a year of senior footy at 16 with Park Ridge really got me ready to play at a higher level.’’

He said his season in the QAFL confirmed what he had always thought.

“I think you get out of footy what you put in.

“If you train hard and recover well your footy naturally improves.’’

Playing for the Park Ridge Pirates, Nathan Colenso takes a mark.

He said he learned more about what was needed to be a more professional player in his season with Morningside.

“Going to another level of professionalism at Morningside has been a real eye opener,’’ he said.

This year Colenso was the youngest player in QAFL history to make the Team of the Year. His father Andy, the Pirates’ president, was an outstanding QAFL player with Coorparoo.