FOUR impressive performances have earned Collingwood midfielder Scott Pendlebury the round four nomination for the AFL Rising Star award.
The athletic youngster was shocked to hear of his achievement, and said he had been focusing more on team goals than individual ones so far this season.
"I wasn't really expecting it, to be honest. I was more concentrating on looking ahead to this week's game," Pendlebury told afl.com.au.
"I felt like I played pretty decent on the weekend. It was a solid performance, but I wasn't really expecting any awards or anything like that. It was a bit of a surprise.
"I'm really just worried about trying to stay in the senior side, and contribute every week. That's probably more important to me."
Pendlebury has averaged more than 18 possessions over the first four rounds and has kicked five goals.
The youngster from Gippsland was selected by Collingwood with its second selection in the 2005 AFL Draft, at No.5 overall.
He has been playing with an increased level of confidence this season after putting together nine games in his debut year at the club.
"I haven't really looked back at my games this year yet, but I'll probably look back in a few weeks and set some goals down," he said.
"It's been good to have been playing some solid football, and hopefully I can just stay in the senior side."
He has kicked two goals in each of the past two matches and has been showing off the benefits of his first full pre-season.
Last year he contracted glandular fever just before Christmas and missed a large portion of training in the lead-up to the season proper.
"All my goals this year have been about football and playing seniors, rather than getting recognition for it," he said.
"Having an extra year at the club and knowing the guys a lot better, as well as being more confident and feeling like I'm more a part of the side this year has made a difference.
"When we were away in Arizona it was a good chance to me to get to know everyone a bit better, and it's a lot easier to fit in now."
The Magpies have had an impressive record with their youngsters in recent times. Both Dale Thomas and Heath Shaw were nominated for the AFL Rising Star award last season, with Shaw placing third overall.
Pendlebury said he felt less anxious before games now he was a second-year player, and was loving the fact his body was now tuned to that of an AFL player.
"I'm not really nervous any more before I play, which is good," he said.
"I also feel a lot fitter and stronger, because I didn't do much of a pre-season last year because of the glandular fever.
"Obviously now, after a full pre-season of running on the track and in the gym, helps a hell of a lot."
Pendlebury joins Paddy Ryder (Essendon), Cameron Wood (Brisbane Lions), and Tom Hawkins (Geelong) as players to be nominated so far this season.
