FREMANTLE'S Rhys Palmer has capped off a stellar debut season to become the 16th NAB AFL Rising Star.
Palmer, 19, was awarded the Ron Evans Medal at the annual function at Melbourne's Crown Palladium on Wednesday afternoon.
He won with 44 votes from Hawthorn's Cyril Rioli (37) and Richmond's Trent Cotchin (21).
Carlton's Matthew Kreuzer (11) was fourth, with Fremantle teammate Garrick Ibbotson (seven) and West Coast's Ben McKinley (six) rounding out the top six.
Collingwood's Nathan Brown (three), Melbourne's Cale Morton (three), Port Adelaide's Alipate Carlile (two) and another Demon, Austin Wonaeamirri (one), earned the remainder of the votes.
"There's been some great boys that have come through, Cyril Rioli, Cale Morton, Garrick Ibbotson," Palmer said in accepting the medal.
"I always hoped I could make it to the big time, but I love footy, pretty much since I was born, and I've played through the ranks.
"I've always loved Robert Harvey with the way he carries the ball and how steps up in big games, so he was my idol.
"It was a dream come true to play against him this year."
Palmer is the second Fremantle player to win the accolade after Paul Hasleby in 2000, and joins an elite crop of emerging guns including the last three recipients – Joel Selwood (Geelong), Danyle Pearce (Port Adelaide) and Brett Deledio (Richmond).
He played 20 games this year after being drafted by the club with selection No. 7 in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft, having stood out at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships.
He led Fremantle in disposals, averaging 23 possessions a game, and also demonstrated fearlessness at the contested ball and a high level of endurance.
The West Australian was nominated in round three for the 24-touch, four-tackle game he produced against cross-town rival West Coast – just his second match – and suffered a head gash that was reported to need 22 staples to close.
"I only had 10 but 22 sounds better," he said.
"It's left a nice scar on my head, but it was a great day."
Palmer battled a bad bout of osteitis pubis in 2006 while playing junior football in Perth, which he believes strengthened his character.
"It was a real good stepping stone in my life, a good learning curve, just to teach me how to look after my body," he said.
"It really gave me inspiration to really succeed and to prove to everyone I can play the game."
He said this year has opened his eyes to how tough life an AFL footballer is, but wouldn't change his occupation for a second.
"It's a tough gig," Palmer said. "When you win, everyone is up and about at the club and when you lose, everyone is down.
"But it's been a great experience and it's just a great job."
THE NOMINEES FOR 2008
Round one - Bachar Houli (Essendon)
Round two - Josh Hill (Western Bulldogs)
Round three - Rhys Palmer (Fremantle)
Round four - Kieren Jack (Sydney Swans)
Round five - Ben McKinley (West Coast)
Round six - Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn)
Round seven - Austin Wonaeamirri (Melbourne)
Round eight - Kurt Tippett (Adelaide)
Round nine - Garrick Ibbotson (Fremantle)
Round 10 - Nathan Brown (Collingwood)
Round 11 - Matthew Kreuzer (Carlton)
Round 12 - Trent Cotchin (Richmond)
Round 13 - Jarryd Morton (Hawthorn)
Round 14 - Colin Garland (Melbourne)
Round 15 - Jack Riewoldt (Richmond)
Round 16 - Kyle Reimers (Essendon)
Round 17 - Brad Ebert (West Coast)
Round 18 - Gavin Urquhart (North Melbourne)
Round 19 - Shaun Grigg (Carlton)
Round 20 - Cale Morton (Melbourne)
Round 21 - Bradd Dalziell (Brisbane Lions)
Round 22 - Alipate Carlile (Port Adelaide)
Click here for more information on this year's nominated performances and the history of the NAB AFL Rising Star award.
