The Brisbane Lions’ Sophie Conway and Fremantle’s Emily McGuire are the Round Three NAB AFL Women’s Rising Star nominees.
Selected by the Brisbane Lions in the 2017 NAB AFLW Draft, Sophie Conway was crucial in her side’s 22-point win over Carlton at Ikon Park on Saturday. Off just eight touches, Conway showcased her impressive foot skills booting two goals in the final quarter of the match.
A former junior hockey star and Under-18 Queensland representative, Conway chose football as her sport of choice. With an impressive combination of evasion, agility and endurance Conway has been a crucial addition to Brisbane’s 2018 side.
Snapped up by Fremantle in the 2017 NAB AFLW Draft, Emily McGuire has proved herself an invaluable asset to Fremantle after snapping the game winning goal late in the last quarter against Melbourne on debut.
The first Aboriginal woman to be nominated as a rising star, McGuire caught the eye of talent scouts from a young age having played in the last two WAWFL premierships for Swan Districts. After taking part in the Diversity Championships Kickstart program, McGuire was selected to represented Western Australia at Under-18 level before beginning her career in the AFL Women’s competition.
All AFLW players 21 years and under as at 1 January 2018 and who have not previously been nominated as a rising star qualify for consideration for the award.
Two players will be nominated each week of the NAB AFL Women’s season. Each of the 14 NAB AFL Women’s Rising Star nominees throughout the season will be awarded $500 prize money from NAB to acknowledge their great achievement. In addition, NAB will continue to support the development of future footy stars by awarding junior clubs of each nominee with a NAB Club Recognition Award pack of practical and financial resources, valued at over $2500.
The overall NAB AFL Women’s Rising Star winner will be awarded $20,000 from NAB and a private banker to assist with securing their financial future.
NAB is proud to support the development of female footballers throughout the country from grassroots players and football communities to the NAB AFL Women’s Competition.
The NAB AFL Women’s Rising Star is part of the NAB AFL Women’s Rising Stars Program.
The NAB AFL Women’s Rising Stars Program consists of the following elements:
• NAB AFL Women’s Rising Star
• NAB AFL Women’s Draft
• NAB AFL Women’s Draft Combine
• NAB AFL Women’s Under-18 Championships
• NAB AFL Women’s Academy
NAB has been supporting footy from grassroots to the elite level since 2002.
