ADELAIDE ruck Montana McKinnon and Blues midfielder Mimi Hill are the round five NAB AFLW Rising Star nominees after both were recognised from the same game.
McKinnon, who was selected at pick 14 in the 2019 NAB AFLW Draft, has had to bide her time in a strong Adelaide side. The ruck has grabbed her chance this season by featuring in every game in Adelaide’s unbeaten start to the season.
She first caught the eye of recruiters as she represented South Australia against New South Wales in the NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships at just 14 years of age.
The 20-year-old has played an important role in Adelaide’s strong midfield by providing them first use of the football in the centre. This was evident in the Crows' 39-point thumping of Carlton where McKinnon collected 12 disposals, seven marks, two tackles and 12 hitouts.
Comeback Blue Mimi Hill marked her return from injury to lock up the second consecutive week that a Carlton player has been nominated for the Rising Star, getting the nod after Keeley Sherar in round four.
Hill, 19, coincidentally returned to the side in place of Sherar due to the latter suffering a broken hand during her breakout performance.
After impressing for the Oakleigh Chargers, Hill was selected with pick No.12 in the 2020 NAB AFLW Draft. She went on to play six games in her debut season before suffering an ACL injury against Geelong in March 2021.
Hill slotted back seamlessly into the Carlton midfield and made her presence felt against a formidable Adelaide outfit. She finished the game with 25 disposals, 340 metres gained, four tackles and three clearances.
Players are eligible for the NAB AFLW Rising Star if they are 21 years and under as of January 1, 2022, and have not been previously nominated.
Two players will be nominated per home and away round of the NAB AFLW season.
2022 NAB AFLW RISING STAR NOMINEES
- Round one - Georgie Prespakis (Geelong), Mia King (North Melbourne)
- Round two - Charlie Rowbottom (Gold Coast), Alyssa Bannan (Melbourne)
- Round three - Zimmorlei Farquharson (Brisbane), Megan Fitzsimon (Melbourne)
- Round four - Keeley Sherar (Carlton), Sarah Verrier (Fremantle)
- Round five – Mimi Hill (Carlton), Montana McKinnon (Adelaide)
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