ST KILDA jet Max King has been rewarded for his continued development this season, nominated for the NAB AFL Rising Star award following his dominant three-goal performance in Sunday's victory over Essendon.
RISING STARS Who's been nominated?
King kicked three majors from six marks, including three strong contested marks, with the exciting potential of the 202cm key forward on full display in a highlight-filled performance.
It was the sixth time in his first 12 games that King has kicked multiple goals in a match, with the talented 20-year-old proving one of the shining lights in an entertaining St Kilda season where the Saints have improved significantly become a legitimate top-four threat.
The No.4 pick in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft, King sat out his maiden season with St Kilda after rupturing his ACL in his final year of junior football. However, he has made a fantastic impact this season with 18 majors from 12 games.
His athleticism and strong contested marking ability have been among the major positives from the start to his AFL career, while his evasive ability and clean skills at ground level were also evident against the Bombers.
King's twin brother Ben, also a 202cm forward who was taken with pick No.6 in the same draft, was also awarded a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination in round 19 last season and has kicked 36 goals from his first 26 matches with Gold Coast.