THE FUTURE looks bright for Fremantle, according to the Dockers' latest NAB AFL Rising Star nominee Lachie Weller.
The dashing half-forward became the second Docker in consecutive weeks to be nominated for the award after close mate Connor Blakely was nominated in round 11.
Matt Taberner was the only Docker to receive a Rising Star nomination in the previous four seasons.
But a mass of injuries to star senior players has created an opportunity for a youth movement of sorts to take place at the Dockers this season, and Weller said the signs were positive.
"The future is really healthy," Weller said.
"I think Darcy (Tucker) played really well on the weekend. Croz (Hayden Crozier) and Tommy (Sheridan) are going really well. Sammy Collins has come in and filled a really good role as well. The youth is coming through, which is really good."
The Dockers had six players with less than 20 games experience against the Brisbane Lions, compared to their round one side that had just one. The Dockers had no players with less that 20 games experience playing in last year's finals series.
Weller, 20, collected 22 disposals and kicked four goals against the Lions, just his 15th AFL game. He has collected 22 disposals in each of the last two weeks and kicked multiple goals in two of his last three outings.
Weller has played every game this season after playing just three in his debut year, and said he has benefitted from playing week in, week out.
"It's like anything - the more you do it the better you get, I think," Weller said.
"So I'm definitely feeling that way."
He credited coach Ross Lyon as the most important person in his development at AFL level since being drafted with pick No.13 in the 2014 Draft.
"He has probably been the most influential person so far since I've been here," Weller said.
Congratulations bro @lachieweller #NABRisingStarNominee @AFL @NAB
— Maverick Weller (@Maverickweller) June 13, 2016
"I'm learning a lot every day off him and really enjoying it.
"You sort of come out of juniors and you hunt the ball, but now you've got to learn it's a 360 (degree) game.
"I'm sort of learning about that, some of the decision making when you can't influence and stuff like that. So that's what I'm working on."
Weller is originally from Tasmania but lived in Queensland and played under-18 football for Queensland when his brother Maverick was at the Gold Coast Suns.
Now he is settled in Perth, having signed a significant contract extension last year to remain at Fremantle until the end of 2018.
Despite being very close with his brother and parents who all live in Melbourne he said he has developed a network of people in Perth outside of the football club. He also said there was a great benefit to playing for the Dockers every week.
"You travel every second week so I see my parents a lot," Weller said.
"They are in Melbourne now so I'm really enjoying it."
Weller said the culture was still strong at Fremantle despite the disappointing season to this point.
Want more?
• Find 2016's nominees at the NAB AFL Rising Star hub
• How does the Rising Star Award work and who is eligible?