Nathan Hrovat from the Western Bulldogs is the Round 17 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee.
The 20-year-old kicked a goal and finished with career-high 27 disposals in the Bulldogs’ 28-point win over the Gold Coast Suns in Cairns last Saturday night.
Nathan debuted in Round Nine last year and finished the season with seven matches, including an eye catching performance against Essendon where he collected 25 possessions.
He played his first game in Round 11, after injury delayed his 2014 season, and has played all seven matches since.
His 2014 highlights include two goals against the Brisbane Lions and 20 possessions against Port Adelaide.
He is currently ranked first in contested possessions amongst players eligible for the rising star.
Nathan Hrovat is available for interview tomorrow:
Tuesday July 15 at 11.30am
Whitten Oval
Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney said Nathan enjoys playing his role in the team.
“Nathan is just a great example of a young person who has a real enjoyment of the game — and along with his obvious talent, but perhaps more importantly his appetite to learn and get better, we see him as an important part of our future,” McCartney said.
“Nathan is an emerging leader, and not only do we see those traits in his professional habits during the week, we are also starting to see it translate to match-day — which was evident on Saturday night.”
Nathan was the Bulldogs’ third first round selection (selection 21 overall) in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft. He was recruited from the Mill Park Junior Football Club in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. He captained the Northern Knights in the 2012 TAC Cup season.
He was named Vic Metro’s MVP and an All-Australian following the 2012 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
Nathan is the second Bulldog to be nominated this season, following Marcus Bontempelli in Round 13.
Following each round of the home and away season, a panel of judges will select a NAB AFL Rising Star nominee. At the completion of the season, one of these nominees will be chosen as the 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star.
The 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star winner will be awarded the Ron Evans Medal and a $20,000 personal investment folio and a dedicated personal banker, courtesy of NAB.
NAB continues to grow the game by recognising the junior clubs that helped foster the early careers of the nominated players. Each of the 23 clubs will receive a NAB Club Recognition Award valued at $2,500, comprising financial and practical resources. Since supporting the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, NAB has donated over $660,000 worth of resources to junior football clubs through this initiative.
The NAB AFL Rising Star is part of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfil their dream of playing in the AFL.
NAB has been Footifying Australia since 2002 through the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program which comprises the following elements:
- NAB AFL Rising Star
- NAB AFL Draft
- NAB AFL Draft Combine
- NAB AFL Under-18 Championships
- NAB AFL National Academy
- NAB AFL Under-16 Championships
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