Rising Star Award

[JK]

Watching "On The Couch" last night, both Mike Sheehan and Gerard Healy thought Andrew Raines was their pick for the Rising Star award ... I haven't seen much of him, but was very impressed by what I saw ... That said, I really can't split Raines from Pearce or Shaw, but tend to think Shaw might get the nod from the judges ... Who do you think is the best first year player of this trio? (or anyone else you think could take out the award)

[MW]

hard to go past that trio

[westiesgirls]

buddy franklin is our bet

[heater31]

sorry ladies dont think that Franklin is eligible to win he was nominated last year.

[sydney-dog]

it will go to the player that was the highest draft pick out of the 3

[JK]

In that case would Murphy have played enough football to top some of the judges list?

[blink]

In that case would Murphy have played enough football to top some of the judges list?

That is right CP - Murphy might have played well enough in the games he did play to warrant the judges awarding him the votes. The 5 judges award the votes on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis, so Murphy could theoretically win the award if maybe all the judges give him either 5, 4 or 3 votes.

[MatteeG]

Birchall would have been a monty if the season had gone for another 5 games...

[Rushby Hinds]

Pearce is NAB AFL Rising Star
2:30:39 PM Wed 6 September, 2006
Exclusive to afl.com.au
Port Adelaide midfielder Danyle Pearce is the 2006 NAB AFL Rising Star.

In one of the most evenly contested fields in the Rising Star's 14-year history, Pearce won the medal from Andrew Raines (Richmond), Heath Shaw (Collingwood) and Marc Murphy (Carlton).

Pearce was presented with the Rising Star Medal by last year's winner Brett Deledio at Melbourne's Crown Towers. He has also won a personal investment portfolio and a dedicated personal banker, courtesy of National Australia Bank.

Pearce played all 22 games this season, averaging more than 19 possessions a game and kicking the most goals (12) of the 22 nominees. The 20-year-old was nominated in Round Three.

Pearce's journey to AFL ranks has been one of perseverance. The dynamic midfielder, who hails from Edwardstown in suburban Adelaide, represented South Australia in the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships in 2004.

He impressed at the 2004 NAB AFL Draft Camp and despite topping the 20-metre sprint, agility run and running vertical jump tests, he was overlooked in the NAB AFL Draft. Recruiters were wary of his ball skills. Pearce later discovered he is short-sighted, and wearing contact lenses helped turn his game around.

He was Rookie-listed by Port Adelaide in 2005. Consistent performances in Sturt's reserve and senior grades in the SANFL saw him reach AFL level in Round 18, 2005. After two goals on debut he has played every game since.

Pearce took the opportunity, and his form in seven AFL matches last season not only earned him the Power's best first-year player award, but saw him elevated from the Rookie list to Port Adelaide's senior list.

Along with Richmond's Nathan Foley, Pearce is the shortest nominee in the field at 177cm, and at 74kg is one of the lightest. He has acknowledged hard work in the gym - he started 2005 listed at 68kg - has made him more competitive.

Port Adelaide Coach Mark Williams praised Pearce's win.

"What a fantastic journey Danyle has had in his short career. He missed being drafted, got rookie-listed and then upgraded, and has since been able to play as exciting a brand of football as you could hope to see from a young player.

"To be justifiably rewarded with the NAB AFL Rising Star is a fantastic achievement. We're absolutely thrilled for Danyle and it is certainly great for our club to have had two Rising Star winners in our first 10 years.

"Danyle plays in a way that excites not just Port Adelaide supporters but football fans in general. He runs hard, he carries the ball, he's fast, he's agile, he can tackle, he wins clearances, he kicks the ball inside-50 and kicks goals.

[Magpiespower]

Well done Pearcey!

43 - Danyle Pearce (Port Adelaide)
33 - Andrew Raines (Richmond)
32 - Heath Shaw (Collingwood)
13 - Marc Murphy (Carlton)
7 - Clint Bartram (Melbourne)
5 - Grant Birchall (Hawthorn)
1 - Michael Rischitelli (Brisbane Lions), Dale Thomas (Collingwood)

The selectors' votes were as follows...

Andrew Demetriou
5 – Danyle Pearce – Port Adelaide
4 – Heath Shaw – Collingwood
3 – Andrew Raines – Richmond
2 – Marc Murphy – Carlton
1 – Clint Bartram – Melbourne

Adrian Anderson
5 – Danyle Pearce – Port Adelaide
4 – Andrew Raines – Richmond
3 – Heath Shaw – Collingwood
2 – Grant Birchall – Hawthorn
1 – Dale Thomas - Collingwood

Rod Austin
5 – Danyle Pearce – Port Adelaide
4 – Andrew Raines – Richmond
3 – Heath Shaw – Collingwood
2 – Marc Murphy – Carlton
1 – Grant Birchall – Hawthorn

Gerard Healy
5 – Danyle Pearce – Port Adelaide
4 – Heath Shaw – Collingwood
3 – Andrew Raines – Richmond
2 – Clint Bartram – Melbourne
1 – Marc Murphy – Carlton

Mark Bickley
5 – Danyle Pearce – Port Adelaide
4 – Andrew Raines – Richmond
3 – Heath Shaw – Collingwood
2 – Clint Bartram – Melbourne
1 – Grant Birchall – Hawthorn

Kevin Sheehan
5 – Danyle Pearce – Port Adelaide
4 – Andrew Raines – Richmond
3 – Heath Shaw – Collingwood
2 – Marc Murphy – Carlton
1 – Grant Birchall – Hawthorn

Kevin Bartlett
5 – Heath Shaw – Collingwood
4 – Andrew Raines – Richmond
3 – Danyle Pearce – Port Adelaide
2 – Marc Murphy – Carlton
1 – Michael Rischitelli – Brisbane Lions

Robert Walls
5 – Danyle Pearce – Port Adelaide
4 – Heath Shaw – Collingwood
3 – Andrew Raines – Richmond
2 – Marc Murphy – Carlton
1 – Clint Bartram – Melbourne

Chris Mainwaring
5 – Danyle Pearce – Port Adelaide
4 – Andrew Raines – Richmond
3 – Heath Shaw – Collingwood
2 – Marc Murphy – Carlton
1 – Clint Bartram – Melbourne

[blink]

Congratulations to Danyle Pearce, a deserved winner.

At least Port has won something this year!!

[Booney]

Great stuff Pearcey,well deserved for a great talent on the rise.

Kevin Bartlett
5 – Heath Shaw – Collingwood
4 – Andrew Raines – Richmond
3 – Danyle Pearce – Port Adelaide
2 – Marc Murphy – Carlton
1 – Michael Rischitelli – Brisbane Lions

Insular Pricktorian.

[Rik E Boy]

Great stuff Pearcey,well deserved for a great talent on the rise.

Kevin Bartlett
5 – Heath Shaw – Collingwood
4 – Andrew Raines – Richmond
3 – Danyle Pearce – Port Adelaide
2 – Marc Murphy – Carlton
1 – Michael Rischitelli – Brisbane Lions

Insular Pricktorian.

Because he didn't give Pearce 5??? LMAO.

Well done Danny Pearce, a real talent. The big surprise to me is that Thomas only got one vote. He is going to be a gun.

regards,

REB

[PortAdelaideProud]

GO PEARCY!

[Booney]

Great stuff Pearcey,well deserved for a great talent on the rise.

Kevin Bartlett
5 – Heath Shaw – Collingwood
4 – Andrew Raines – Richmond
3 – Danyle Pearce – Port Adelaide
2 – Marc Murphy – Carlton
1 – Michael Rischitelli – Brisbane Lions

Insular Pricktorian.

Because he didn't give Pearce 5??? LMAO.

Well done Danny Pearce, a real talent. The big surprise to me is that Thomas only got one vote. He is going to be a gun.

regards,

REB

Nope.No one else ranked Raines higher than Pearce.One ranked Shaw higher than Pearce.Sorry if my comment sounded Port Adelaide biased,just thought his judgments were some what out of touch compared to the rest.Relax.

[Dutchy]

Great stuff Pearcey,well deserved for a great talent on the rise.

Kevin Bartlett
5 – Heath Shaw – Collingwood
4 – Andrew Raines – Richmond
3 – Danyle Pearce – Port Adelaide
2 – Marc Murphy – Carlton
1 – Michael Rischitelli – Brisbane Lions

Insular Pricktorian.

Because he didn't give Pearce 5??? LMAO.

Well done Danny Pearce, a real talent. The big surprise to me is that Thomas only got one vote. He is going to be a gun.

regards,

REB

Nope.No one else ranked Raines higher than Pearce.One ranked Shaw higher than Pearce.Sorry if my comment sounded Port Adelaide biased,just thought his judgments were some what out of touch compared to the rest.Relax.

Fair Dinkum - all the others give him 5, one doesnt and the cage is rattling again at alberton

[Booney]

Yes Dutchy,thats right.

FFS!!!!

[JK]

LOL .. No surprise to see Bartlett vote that way, from memory he left Griffen out altogether last year

[Dutchy]

FFS he won - be happy, enjoy it....this perceived victorian bias gets very boring not to mention it being embaressing to this state

[Punk Rooster]

Pearce gets 5 votes- the judge is smart, the Power supporters approve of his being on the judging panel& recognise him as a good judge of football talent
Pearce gets less than 5 votes- the judge is a Victorian to start with, what the f**k would he know about football anyway? Idiot!

Insert Crows player for Crows supporters response.