IN JUST 11 rounds of footy, Melbourne has had three NAB AFL Rising Star nominees, with Trent Rivers recognised for his performance against the Western Bulldogs on Friday night.
The 19-year-old, who is playing his second season at the top level, remained eligible for the award after managing just nine games in 2020.
Joining teammates Luke Jackson and James Jordon in the running to win the top prize, Rivers earned his nomination for a 19-disposal effort at Marvel Stadium.
The half-back flanker is yet to miss a match this year – taking his career tally to 20 – and has become a crucial member of the Demons’ backline which conceded just eight goals in last week’s top-of-the-table clash.
Since being selected with pick No.32 in the 2019 National Draft – alongside Jackson and Kysaiah Pickett (who were both nominated in their debut seasons) – the Western Australian-born defender has developed into one of the Demons’ most damaging kicks of the footy.
And the Dees’ No.24 wouldn’t be the first player with his surname to win the award for the club, with Jared Rivers taking it out in 2004, 19 votes clear of Aaron Davey who placed second.
