Stephen Hill from Fremantle Football Club wins Round 6 NAB AFL Rising Star nominationA DAY after celebrating his 19th birthday, Stephen Hill was a standout for Fremantle in their derby triumph over the West Coast Eagles at Subiaco last Saturday. He gathered 21 disposals including six marks, five tackles, a game-high seven inside-50s and booted two valuable goals.
The speedy midfielder (pictured) debuted in Round 1 and has played all six matches this season.
Fremantle coach Mark Harvey said Hill's ability to fit straight into the AFL system was significant.
"To play in a derby and play the way he did plus handle the pressure and the build-up to the game is a real feather in Stephen's cap," he said. "As each game goes by, he is working out more and more how he can take the game on. Players who can bring their team-mates into the game have a special quality and he's got that."
After playing his junior football with Quinns Districts Football Club and West Perth, Fremantle selected Hill with pick three at the 2008 NAB AFL Draft. His draft stocks rose after an outstanding 2008 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships where he earned All Australian honours. At the NAB AFL Draft Camp in Canberra he again impressed eclipsing former Rising Star winner Danyle Pearce's agility test record and posting top-five results in the vertical leap and 20-metre sprint tests.
Hill is Fremantle's first NAB AFL Rising Star nominee for 2009 and follows on from 2008 winner Rhys Palmer and nominee Garrick Ibbotson.
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 2009 NAB AFL Rising Star.
The 2009 NAB AFL Rising Star will receive a personal investment folio and a dedicated personal banker, courtesy of the National Australia Bank.
NAB will once again recognise the junior clubs that helped foster the early careers of the nominated players. NAB will present each of the 22 clubs with a NAB Club Recognition Award, a package of practical and financial resources designed to assist them in developing future champions.
The NAB AFL Rising Star is the pinnacle of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfill their dream of playing in the AFL.
The NAB AFL Rising Stars Program provides recognition and a clearly identifiable direction for a player's career, and comprises the following elements: NAB AFL Rising Star, NAB AFL Draft, NAB AFL Draft Camp, NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, AIS-AFL Academy, NAB AFL Under 16 Championships.
AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
AFL.com.auWednesday, May 6, 2009
Last Modified on 06/05/2009 12:09