Redland midfielder Jack Rolls has earned the Round 8 NEAFL Rising Star nomination after a standout performance in the Bombers’ 11-point loss to Canberra at Tidbold Park on Saturday.
Rolls polled eight NEAFL MVP votes from the game where he collected 29 disposals, 10 tackles, nine clearances and nine inside 50s in wet and soggy conditions.
The Morningside junior and former Lions Academy member has become an integral part of the Bombers’ midfield since joining the club this season, where he is averaging 24 disposals per game.
With the nomination, Rolls, who is just 18 years old, has become the first three-time NEAFL Rising Star nominee after impressive performances in both 2015 and 2016 for Brisbane.
Rolls said he was enjoying the demands of playing as an inside midfielder, and hoped to string together another consistent season to put himself back into AFL Draft contention.
“Obviously I was shattered and low in confidence after the draft,” he said. “But you’ve got to get back on the horse and keep going.
“I’m enjoying playing for Redland this year. ‘Turtle’ (coach Leigh Harding) has shown a bit of faith in me to throw me in the middle. It’s given me a lot of confidence knowing he’s wanting to put me in that role.
“It’s a bit of a different role, but it’s something I’m comfortable with and I’m enjoying the challenge.”
The Rising Star is awarded to the most promising young talent in the NEAFL competition.
Nominees must be under the age of 21 and played fewer than 20 senior games (excluding games as AFL Academy players) at the start of the 2017 season.
