Sydney on-baller Adam Schneider is the National AFL Rising Star round five nominee.
Originally from Osborne, south-west NSW, Schneider was drafted by the Swans at the 2001 National AFL Draft, after playing for the NSW-ACT Rams in the National AFL Under 18 Championships.
He endured an interrupted season in 2002, held back at the beginning of the season with a foot injury while glandular fever forced him out for a further two months.
Despite this, Schneider managed to play well enough in his limited VFL appearances to secure a place in the Port Melbourne side for the Grand Final.
Named each week by the Sydney coaching panel through the start to the 2003 AFL Premiership Season, this lively rover has made a significant mark on his team.
Kicking three goals against Melbourne on Friday night at an important time during the match, Schneider assisted his team in winning the Barassi Cup, in the first time the two clubs have contested an Anzac Day match.
From the 14-minute mark of the final term, Schnieder kicked two of his three goals in Sydney's emphatic 10-goal final term as the match was wrenched from the grip of the Demons.