Brisbane Lions ruckman Cameron Wood has become the second player to be nominated for the 2007 NAB AFL Rising Star Award. Wood, who said he was "surprised" to be named as the Rising Star from round two, has stepped up in the past year as the Lions' ruck stocks have been limited by injury. Against the Saints on Thursday night, he teamed up with Beau McDonald to amass 30 hit-outs for the team in their 52-point win The 20-year-old South Australian said while he is continuing to "live the dream" of playing against the country's elite, he was shocked to be singled out from the handful of the round's impressive young performers. "I was a bit surprised, because I didn't think I played that well. It's a good feeling," he said. "(Travis) Varcoe and (Tom) Hawkins both played pretty well, and Leroy Jetta from Essendon … it was a bit of a surprise and it's been something I've set my sights on. "To be nominated this early is just great. It gives me confidence to continue this year, and confidence in my form." He was selected by the club with the overall No.18 pick in the 2004 NAB AFL Draft, after his agility and marking ability impressed the Lions' coaching staff. He said the influence of the Lions' ruck coach in dual premiership player and All-Australian ruckman Shaun Rehn had been pivotal in his development. "I've done the most developing over the past pre-season, as I've put on about seven kilos," he said. "My skills have definitely improved as well, probably my movement around the ground, and Shaun has helped me a lot with that. "He coached me at West Adelaide as well before I got drafted. He's been a great help since he came up after my first year. He was a great ruckman in the 90s, won a couple of premierships with Adelaide. "Along with him and ‘Charmo’ and Beau, who are premiership ruckmen as well, there are a lot of guys to learn from." Wood is buoyed the fact he managed seven senior games last year, and is determined to hold his spot in the line-up as this season progresses. "There's a bit of competition for a ruck spot up here, with (Jamie) Charman and McDonald and (Matthew) Leuenberger, who just got drafted," he said. "I have to try and stay in the senior team as much as I can. I played the last five games of last year, which was good." Wood joins Essendon's Paddy Ryder as players in contention to win the coveted award for this season.
NAB AFL Rising Star: round two
Brisbane Lions ruckman Cameron Wood is this week's NAB AFL Rising Star nominee
Brisbane Lions ruckman Cameron Wood has become the second player to be nominated for the 2007 NAB AFL Rising Star Award. Wood, who said he was "surprised" to be named as the Rising Star from round two, has stepped up in the past year as the Lions' ruck stocks have been limited by injury. Against the Saints on Thursday night, he teamed up with Beau McDonald to amass 30 hit-outs for the team in their 52-point win The 20-year-old South Australian said while he is continuing to "live the dream" of playing against the country's elite, he was shocked to be singled out from the handful of the round's impressive young performers. "I was a bit surprised, because I didn't think I played that well. It's a good feeling," he said. "(Travis) Varcoe and (Tom) Hawkins both played pretty well, and Leroy Jetta from Essendon … it was a bit of a surprise and it's been something I've set my sights on. "To be nominated this early is just great. It gives me confidence to continue this year, and confidence in my form." He was selected by the club with the overall No.18 pick in the 2004 NAB AFL Draft, after his agility and marking ability impressed the Lions' coaching staff. He said the influence of the Lions' ruck coach in dual premiership player and All-Australian ruckman Shaun Rehn had been pivotal in his development. "I've done the most developing over the past pre-season, as I've put on about seven kilos," he said. "My skills have definitely improved as well, probably my movement around the ground, and Shaun has helped me a lot with that. "He coached me at West Adelaide as well before I got drafted. He's been a great help since he came up after my first year. He was a great ruckman in the 90s, won a couple of premierships with Adelaide. "Along with him and ‘Charmo’ and Beau, who are premiership ruckmen as well, there are a lot of guys to learn from." Wood is buoyed the fact he managed seven senior games last year, and is determined to hold his spot in the line-up as this season progresses. "There's a bit of competition for a ruck spot up here, with (Jamie) Charman and McDonald and (Matthew) Leuenberger, who just got drafted," he said. "I have to try and stay in the senior team as much as I can. I played the last five games of last year, which was good." Wood joins Essendon's Paddy Ryder as players in contention to win the coveted award for this season.
