Darcy Gardiner from the Brisbane Lions is the Round 19 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee.
The 18-year-old took 12 marks in the backline in the Lions 23-point win over Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Regarded as the best defender in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft, Darcy excels in one-on-one contents with his strong marking and effective spoiling.
Darcy made his AFL debut in Round Five and has played 13 games, becoming a consistent part of the Lions defensive line-up.
He has had a string of solid performances to date this season including a career-high 22 possessions (10 contested) in the Lions Round 16 clash with the Tigers, in which he finished the game with seven one-percenters, and an equal game-high six rebounds.
Darcy also extended his contact with the Lions last week, which will see him remain at the Lions until at least the end of the 2016 season.
Darcy Gardiner is available for interview tomorrow,
Tuesday, August 5 at 11.45am
Gabba
Media are requested to arrive at Gate 2, Stanley Street, from 11.30am
Brisbane Lions coach Justin Leppitsch said Darcy had been a consistent performer for the Lions this season.
“Darcy has really established himself as a crucial part of our back line this season,” he said.
“It’s never easy to come in to a side and hold down a key position role, but Darcy has managed to do this consistently for us week in week out.
“He’s got great aggression on the field and it will be exciting for our fans to witness his development over the coming years.”
Darcy was the Lions’ second selection (selection 22 overall) in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft. He was recruited from the Queenscliff Football Club and has represented St Joseph’s College and the Geelong Falcons.
He was a member of the 2013 Vic Country Under-18 Championships team and was named in the 2013 Under-18 All-Australian team. He is also a graduate of the NAB AFL Academies.
Darcy is the third Brisbane Lion to be nominated in 2014 following James Aish in Round Six and Lewis Taylor in Round Nine.
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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