BEN RONKE'S father Jamie watched his son's Friday night exploits from a Bali bar with intermittent TV reception.

The silver lining was the gaps in transmission coincided with the second-year Swans forward taking a break between kicking his career-best seven goals either side of half-time. 

But such was Jamie's outpouring of emotion at Ronke's stunning performance, which included 10 tackles, that he went for a motorbike ride afterwards to blow off steam. 

SEVENTH HEAVEN Ben Ronke's breakthrough night at the 'G

"I seriously felt numb, like I was in a dream – I don't know how to describe it," a proud Jamie told AFL.com.au from Bali. 

"I wasted time bringing a book over here. I've spent my time flicking through social media instead and there are so many positive comments. 

"It's a great feeling after all the trials and tribulations he faced as a young kid." 

Ronke fever continued into a fourth day on Monday, with the 20-year-old predictably earning the round eight NAB AFL Rising Star nomination.

His story of overcoming the odds and repeated rejection as a teenager was told in bulk in the aftermath of Sydney's eight-point victory over Hawthorn at the MCG. 

It seems everyone was hysterically caught up in Ronke's rags-to-riches rise but the man himself, who remained calm in Friday night's on and off-field storm and still remarkably so on Monday.

"I just accepted all the acknowledgement and moved on," Ronke told AFL.com.au.

"I was just lucky enough to get on the end of a couple of goals that came from a really strong team effort, but I've moved on and am focusing on next week now.

"I'm very happy, obviously, but I just try to keep calm and not get ahead of myself – but I do appreciate the support I'm getting as well."

Both father and son refer to his elevation in 2015 from St Bernard's under-19s to its senior side, under Anthony Rock, in the Victorian Amateur Football Association's premier division as his big break.

Rock, who played 222 AFL games and is now a Fremantle assistant coach, saw something in Ronke that many others missed and they ended up winning a premiership together that year.

This was a kid so desperate to 'make it' he ditched his favourite barbecue-flavoured Arnott's Shapes for a Paleo diet. 

That particular diet didn't last, but the understanding of needing to put the right foods into his body did.

Ronke's incredible ability to push through the pain barrier also held him in good stead for what was first taste of senior footy back then.

He has broken a leg three times and on one of those occasions he actually ran 3km on it the day before he was diagnosed. 

The setbacks – he didn't get his chance at the Calder Cannons until he was already 18 and considered an 'over-age' player – never got to Ronke, either. 

"I've always had the belief I did have what it takes to compete at the top level," Ronke said.

"I tried to draw back on the adversity as much as I could and use it to hold me in good stead when I did get into a rut or was knocked back from a side.

"Dad always had a lot of faith in me growing up and he was one of the key things that did keep me going and did keep me motivated.

"I was never going to lose my love and passion for football, but at times you do get a little annoyed at not getting picked for sides when you think you are capable of being in them."Ronke made his mark at the Cannons, after he and his father – the Ovens and Murray League's 1990 Morris medallist – elected to go to the TAC Cup team over an offer to play with Footscray in the VFL.

Nick Rutley was his midfield coach and was immediately drawn to the boy from Essendon's professionalism as he went on to win the club's best and fairest. 

"It was my first year there, too, and I can paint a picture in one of the first sessions, where we were doing some basic skill drills before training," Rutley said. 

"The kids could have a laugh and muck around and not take them very seriously, whereas Ben was on point with everything he did, to the point I made it known to the head coach at the time, Andrew Johnston.

"I just said, 'This kid ticks all the boxes' and he knew exactly where he needed to get better." 

Ronke's "erratic-at-times" kicking, according to Rutley, was one such area and scared a few AFL recruiters away, with talent spotter Kinnear Beatson eventually swooping with pick 17 in the rookie draft.

His first opportunity to truly impress the Swans came when he twice broke ribs early last season, then diligently set about his rehabilitation.

Ronke finally made his NEAFL debut in round 11, 2017 and went on to kick 14 goals in 12 matches, while averaging 1.6 score assists and 5.8 score involvements.

Sydney knew then it had a serious player – and the rest of the AFL public caught up on Friday night, in Ronke's third game at the elite level.