NUMBER one draft pick Charlie Rowbottom has become Gold Coast's third NAB Rising Star nominee in club history, while an impressive two-goal performance has seen second-year Demon Alyssa Bannan also earn a nomination.
In just her second AFLW game, Rowbottom played an important role in the Suns' first win in 672 days, dominant around stoppages while also proving her willingness to work defensively at the contest.
Laying a game-high 12 tackles while also recording 17 disposals and five clearances, Rowbottom's strength and game awareness came to the fore against West Coast.
Rowbottom was an important part of the Oakleigh Chargers side which won the 2021 NAB League Girls competition, and unexpectedly nominated the Gold Coast region for last year's draft which saw her move north to start her AFLW career.
Taken with pick No.5 in the 2020 NAB AFLW Draft, Bannan has found her home at the Demons, showcasing her speed and agility. Kicking two goals on the weekend against Richmond, it was her spectacular running goal which saw her cover half of the ground evading opponents that had everyone talking.
Bannan kicked six goals in her debut season last year, and played all 11 games for Melbourne, including two finals and showed a proven versatility to play both inside 50 and higher up on the wing.
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)
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