Lewis Taylor from the Brisbane Lions Football Club is the Round Nine NAB AFL Rising Star nominee.
The 19-year-old has played nine AFL games after making his debut in Round One. Lewis finished with 20 possessions against the Kangaroos last Saturday at Etihad Stadium. He has delivered consistent performances with highlights including two goals against St Kilda and 19 possessions against Essendon and the Geelong Cats.
Standing at just 173cm, he has spent most of his time playing as a small forward and rotating in the midfield. His opponents have included last week’s rising star nominee Jarman Impey and premiership player Nick Malceski.
Lewis Taylor is available for interview tomorrow:
Tuesday May 20 at 11.30pm
Gabba
Media are requested to arrive at Gate 2, Stanley Street, from 11.15am
Brisbane Lions coach Justin Leppitsch said Lewis is a young player with a bright future.
"You can always count on Lewy to have a red-hot crack. He’s a self-motivator and his enthusiasm is infectious," Leppitsch said.
"To be able to slot straight into senior footy in his first season on an AFL list a testament to the hard-work and effort Lewy has put in since arriving at the club.
“He has put together some consistent performances over the last couple of weeks and it is exciting for our fans to be able to follow the development of Lewy over the next few years.”
Lewis captained Vic Country in the 2013 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and named in the 2013 Under-18 All-Australian team. He was a member of the 2012 AIS-AFL Academy – Level Two squad.
Lewis was selection 28 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft. He was recruited from the Terang-Mortlake Football Club in country Victoria and TAC Cup team the Geelong Falcons.
Lewis is the second Brisbane Lion player to be nominated this season following James Aish in Round Six.
Following each round of the home and away season, a panel of judges will select a NAB AFL Rising Star nominee. At the completion of the season, one of these nominees will be chosen as the 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star.
The 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star winner will be awarded the Ron Evans Medal and a $20,000 personal investment folio and a dedicated personal banker, courtesy of NAB.
NAB continues to grow the game by recognising the junior clubs that helped foster the early careers of the nominated players. Each of the 23 clubs will receive a NAB Club Recognition Award valued at $2,500, comprising financial and practical resources. Since supporting the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, NAB has donated over $660,000 worth of resources to junior football clubs through this initiative.
The NAB AFL Rising Star is part of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfil their dream of playing in the AFL.
NAB has been Footifying Australia since 2002 through the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program which comprises the following elements:
- NAB AFL Rising Star
- NAB AFL Draft
- NAB AFL Draft Combine
- NAB AFL Under-18 Championships
- AFL National Academies
- NAB AFL Under-16 Championships
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