Gold Coast youngster Connor Budarick celebrates the first goal of his career against Adelaide in round three. Picture: AFL Photos
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THE GOOD news just keeps coming for Gold Coast.

After the Suns registered their second straight win on the weekend, the club has also claimed back-to-back NAB AFL Rising Star nominations after Connor Budarick's performance.

RISING STARS Find out who else has been nominated

The powerful and speedy half-back put in a dashing showing in the Suns' 53-point win over Adelaide on Sunday, gathering 16 disposals and booting the first goal of his career.

His nomination follows the week two Rising Star honour for No.1 pick Matt Rowell, who continued his brilliant start to his career against the Crows.

Budarick also joined the Suns at the end of last year but via a very different path.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 07:44

    Dew on Rowell: 'He's got that self-belief'

    Stuart Dew believes the heavy work Matt Rowell puts in each week will give him the confidence to perform consistently

    AFL
  • 04:23

    Nicks: 'We're in a world of hurt'

    Matthew Nicks says his side are currently nowhere near the level required and will be holding some tough conversations to find out why

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  • 05:36

    Highlights: Gold Coast v Adelaide

    The Suns and Crows clash in round three

    AFL
  • 01:37

    The next big King marks his territory

    Ben King proves he will be a force to be reckoned with after an exceptional outing against the Crows

    AFL
  • 01:23

    Wow, Rowell, the hype is real

    Matt Rowell further enhances his highly touted credentials after another stunning performance

    AFL
  • 00:48

    New Crow soars forward to halt bleeding

    Adelaide recruit Ben Keays dashes forward with great speed and notches a superb goal on the run to end the drought

    AFL
  • 00:59

    Macpherson's 'miracle' goal as party continues

    Darcy Macpherson nails a near impossible snap on boundary to send the Suns into dreamland

    AFL

  • Look out, here comes beast Rowell for 50m lefty

    Matt Rowell continues to excite the football world after another stunning goal on the run

    AFL
  • 00:36

    You can't give Sexton an inch, Suns on fire

    Alex Sexton adds another for Gold Coast after a typically silky snap on goal

    AFL
  • 00:48

    Crow hurt after recruit's tough tackle

    Rory Atkins leaves the field feeling worse for wear after being tackled by new Sun Brandon Ellis

    AFL
  • 00:51

    King of the Suns electrifies with buzzer beater

    Suns on fire as Ben King notches a timely dribbler to excite everyone

    AFL
  • 00:54

    Match Preview: Gold Coast v Adelaide

    Sportsbet's Nathan Brown and Matthew Richardson preview the clash between the Suns and Crows at Metricon Stadium

    AFL

The Suns Academy member was signed to the club as a rookie before the NAB AFL Draft without it having to match a bid due to the AFL's concession package to the 2019 wooden-spooners.

If not for the priority access, Budarick would likely have attracted a rival bid in the second round of the national draft, with his performances to start 2020 highlighting his skills out of the back half.

He made his debut in the Suns' round one loss to Port Adelaide, and also gathered 16 disposals in their surprise win over West Coast in round two.

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