Author: Jennifer Witham, Exclusive to afl.com.au
West Coast forward Ben McKinley has been rewarded for his third multiple-goal haul in as many weeks by winning the NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for round five.
McKinley, 21, booted five majors against Port Adelaide on Sunday at Subiaco, with three coming in the final term when the Eagles mounted a charge that cut a 68-point difference back to just 24.
It was the third week running the Victorian had kicked more than one goal, having managed three against Fremantle in round three and four against Sydney in round four.
It was McKinley's fourth senior appearance on Sunday, after making his debut in round 15 last year – incidentally, against Port Adelaide.
The former Northern Knight said it was a significant honour to be recognised for his achievements this year, after spending his first two seasons on the Eagles' list playing at full forward for East Perth in the WAFL.
"It's nice to be nominated this early in the season, but it's not really going to change the way I play," he said, on Monday.
"It's a good honour, but I'm still fighting for my spot in the side, and I'm still fighting for a win.
"I've just got to keep working hard and do the things I've been doing."
He joined the club via the 2005 NAB AFL Draft, when the Eagles used selection No.29 overall to snare his services and relocate him from Victoria to Western Australia.
As junior mid-sized forward, he was likened to Melbourne's Russell Robertson leading up to the draft, and in recent weeks he has been the Eagles' shining light in attack as the rest of the forward line continued to struggle.
After five rounds of football, McKinley is leading the side's goal-kicking with 12 majors, to David Wirrpanda (seven) and Quinten Lynch (six).
He said he was currently focusing on holding his spot in the senior side, after playing some positive football in the lower league towards the end of last year.
"Basically just to try and cement myself in the side by the end of the year, but look, to do that, I had to play good WAFL footy at the start and just be consistent," he said.
"Basically, as a forward, my job is to kick goals and try and set some up and get the forward line working well."
Last Modified on 23/01/2009 17:10
