MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey is rapt for Austin Wonaeamirri to have won a nomination for the NAB AFL Rising Star award, but now says the youngster has to be able to repeat the performance.

Wonaeamirri kicked four goals and won the hearts of supporters with his celebration on kicking the majors, but Adelaide this week poses something of a bigger challenge, with four Crows defenders playing in the Hall of Fame tribute match.

"Aussie's had a big week – I think he's been pleasantly happy with it," Bailey said at Tuesday's media conference. "He won't say much about it, but the boys are still into him a little bit about his celebration.

"He's a good kid, and he's now got to back it up again this week, because there's going to be a lot more attention on him, I'm sure."

Bailey said the path the 19-year-old had followed to get to the top level would help him cope with the added pressure.

"He's a pretty level-headed kid. He certainly doesn't get carried away with himself – he certainly hasn't showed any aspect of that at all.

"It's a fair distance to travel from the Northern Territory, and Norwood in South Australia, then onto a rookie list, and elevated (to the senior list) – so he's worked pretty hard.

"He's very level-headed, but he's got a degree of confidence – there's not a lot that fazes him. He knows where he sits – he's moulded in very well, and he's brought some excitement.”

Wonaeamirri took the chance over the break to head back up to the Northern Territory to see the family, and had promised before leaving that he'd be extremely careful with his diet.

"I haven't seen my barramundi yet, so I'm going to have to chase him up today about it, but he sort of assured me, without looking at me in the eye, that 'everything will be okay, coach'. Look, he's an exciting opportunity, and he has to back it up this week because that's what AFL footy's about."