Click here to watch CTV's exclusive interview with Tyson Goldsack

Click here to watch Collingwood's Tuesday press conference with Tyson Goldsack and Alan Richardson

Tyson Goldsack spoke to CTV after becoming the third Magpie to be nominated for the 2007 AFL Rising Star award.

The 20-year-old from Pakenham has enjoyed an excellent debut season after being snared with the 63rd pick in the 2006 AFL Draft, something the Collingwood recruiting department can certainly be proud of.

He follows team mates Scott Pendlebury (round four) and Martin Clarke (round 13) as nominees for the prestigious award recognising the finest young talent in the game, and after a team-high 25 possessions playing on Sydney star Michael O’Loughlin last Saturday night, his nomination became a formality.

“It’s been good so far. I had the rest last week, so I felt fresh going into the game, and I suppose I was just trying to get as much run out of the legs as I could. I suppose it worked out alright, so it was good,” Goldsack said at the Lexus Centre on Tuesday.

A good performance it was indeed, keeping O’Loughlin, who he also played on back in round 12 during the Magpies’ win at Telstra Stadium, to only six disposals and one goal.

“It definitely helps knowing a bit about the player. Like last time, just the way he moves and the way he leads, you know how to cut him off and shut down his leads, so that was probably the main thing, and just to know how he goes about his football.”

But it came as no surprise to people at the club who have become accustomed to Goldsack’s run, courage, poise and carry coming out of the back half since he made his debut in round eight against the Western Bulldogs.

However, he hasn’t always been a defender, in fact he played just about everywhere, including wing and centre-half forward, while playing for the Gippsland Power in 2006.

“It’s been a bit different, definitely a learning curve, but I played down back in VFL obviously, and stepped up to play backline for Collingwood.

“It’s my favourite position, the half back flank and maybe on a wing. It’s just a bit different not getting the celebrations of a goal, or getting the highlights or that kind of thing, when you kick a goal.

“But again, it’s more about the team, and doing your thing for the team, and getting the win.”

On earning the Rising Star nomination, Goldsack was visibly delighted, but is very level-headed about what it means and his progress.

“It’s just another step in your development. I suppose it’s a good thing to look back on and have on your CV, but I’m not so much about the awards, I just want to play footy and get as many games under my belt as I can this year, and hopefully go on with it next year like some of the boys have done, like Dale (Thomas) and Scotty (Pendlebury).