KOZZY Pickett had to make a quick decision after scooping up the Sherrin at one stage during the first quarter against North Melbourne on Sunday night.
Luke Davies-Uniacke was less than a metre behind the first-year Demon, Jack Mahony was even closer, and Aiden Bonar and Trent Dumont descended on him within half a second.
Pickett faked to his right, then within a couple of quick steps he'd spun out of trouble the other way, shrugged Mahony's tackle attempt and snapped a brilliant, no-look goal.
>> WATCH HIS HIGHLIGHTS IN THE PLAYER BELOW
Moments like these are what Demons national recruiting manager Jason Taylor tried to explain last year, after highlights of a skyscraper mark and thunderous bump dominated Pickett's pre-draft coverage.
The 19-year-old's performance against the Kangaroos, including 12 disposals (eight contested) and six score involvements, delivered him the round 11 NAB AFL Rising Star nomination.
Melbourne hadn't had a Rising Star nominee for four years until Luke Jackson's round 10 recognition, and it's now celebrating back-to-back nominations for the first time since Jack Grimes and Liam Jurrah in 2009.
"I love Kozzy. His forward craft – I don't think it's underestimated, but not many players have that. It's an innate ability," Taylor said on draft night.
RISING STARS Who's been nominated?
"He's able to hit (the drop of the ball) at speed, but slow up and get front and centre, and his balance is outstanding as well.
"He's never knocked off the ball, whether that's in the air or at ground level, he always keeps his feet, and he's got an ability to go either side and bring teammates into the game."
Later in the Roos game, Pickett twice triggered Demons shots at goal after forcing a turnover from clever smothers, including driving the ball inside 50 himself on the second of them.
The nephew of Norm Smith medallist Byron Pickett ranks elite at his position for pressure acts and score launches, and is already Melbourne's most dangerous small forward.
ROUNDS 12-13 Check out the full fixture
It hasn't been all smooth sailing for him in his debut season, with a COVID-19 regulation breach costing him a game, while an ankle complaint saw him miss the club's win over Adelaide.
Pickett has played every other game for Simon Goodwin's side after being last year's No.12 draft pick.
The Dees were so keen on the Woodville-West Torrens product it traded this year's top selection, plus picks 26 and 50 last year, to North in order to secure him with a second first-round pick in 2019.