Geelong's Selwood Wins Rising Star Award
The Cats knew they were going to have a successful day at the 2006 AFL draft because Tom Hawkins was already on his way to Geelong, but what they didn't know was that their first round pick would be used to take the Rising Star winner. Joel Selwood dropped 3 or 4 spots and the Cats grabbed him when their pick was up.
Pendlebury and Jones also had great years, although it was easier for them as they did play AFL last season, and Westhoff was another player who would have been a deserved winner of the award. Ryder's votes total seems very low, he had some huge games after being switched to the back line this season.
The votes for the award.
Joel Selwood, Geelong. 44
Scott Pendlebury, Collingwood. 37
Nathan Jones, Melbourne. 17
Justin Westhoff, Port Adelaide. 10
Shannon Hurn, West Coast. 9
Jesse Smith, Kangaroos. 7
Bryce Gibbs, Carlton. 6
Tom Williams, Western Bulldogs. 2
Patrick Ryder, Essendon. 2
Martin Clarke, Collingwood. 1
Here are the Rising Star nominees for 2007, arranged in a team.
FB Ricky Petterd, Tom Williams, Martin Clarke
HB Jesse Smith, Patrick Ryder, Shannon Hurn
C Scott Pendlebury, Joel Selwood, Bryce Gibbs
HF Shaun Higgins, Justin Westhoff, Sam Gilbert
FF Mark LeCras, Tom Hawkins, Scott McMahon
Foll Cameron Wood, Nathan Jones, Travis Boak
bench Will Thursfield, Tyson Goldsack, Robert Gray, Mitchell Clark
From the Geelong site: Joel Selwood wins the NAB AFL Rising Star award
Pendlebury and Jones also had great years, although it was easier for them as they did play AFL last season, and Westhoff was another player who would have been a deserved winner of the award. Ryder's votes total seems very low, he had some huge games after being switched to the back line this season.
The votes for the award.
Joel Selwood, Geelong. 44
Scott Pendlebury, Collingwood. 37
Nathan Jones, Melbourne. 17
Justin Westhoff, Port Adelaide. 10
Shannon Hurn, West Coast. 9
Jesse Smith, Kangaroos. 7
Bryce Gibbs, Carlton. 6
Tom Williams, Western Bulldogs. 2
Patrick Ryder, Essendon. 2
Martin Clarke, Collingwood. 1
Here are the Rising Star nominees for 2007, arranged in a team.
FB Ricky Petterd, Tom Williams, Martin Clarke
HB Jesse Smith, Patrick Ryder, Shannon Hurn
C Scott Pendlebury, Joel Selwood, Bryce Gibbs
HF Shaun Higgins, Justin Westhoff, Sam Gilbert
FF Mark LeCras, Tom Hawkins, Scott McMahon
Foll Cameron Wood, Nathan Jones, Travis Boak
bench Will Thursfield, Tyson Goldsack, Robert Gray, Mitchell Clark
From the Geelong site: Joel Selwood wins the NAB AFL Rising Star award

