Sam Mayes from the Brisbane Lions is the Round 12 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee.
Mayes was among Brisbane’s best in the Lions’ Round 12 loss to Fremantle on Saturday at Patersons Stadium, collecting 25 possessions - 15 kicks, 10 handballs and 7 marks.
Taken by Brisbane at number eight in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft, Mayes made his AFL debut against the Gold Coast in Round Three and has continued to flourish in seven more appearances for the Lions this season.
Lions coach Michael Voss said Mayes’ NAB AFL Rising Star nomination was testament to his work ethic.
“From day one we’ve been very impressed by Sam’s attitude and his approach to his training,” Voss said.
“He’s a good, level-headed young man. When you keep presenting yourself in that fashion then people start to take notice.”
A former AIS-AFL Academy graduate, Mayes gained Under 18 All-Australian selection in 2011, before being named Under 18 South Australian vice-captain in 2012.
The 19-year-old from Port Pirie in South Australia played for North Adelaide in the SANFL in 2012 before being selected with the Lions’ first pick (8th overall) at last year’s NAB AFL Draft.
Following each round of the home and away season, a panel of judges will select a NAB AFL Rising Star nominee. At the completion of the season, one of these nominees will be chosen as the 2013 NAB AFL Rising Star.
The 2013 NAB AFL Rising Star winner will be awarded the Ron Evans Medal and a $20,000 personal investment folio and a dedicated personal banker, courtesy of NAB.
NAB will also recognise the junior clubs that helped foster the early careers of the nominated players. Each of the 23 clubs will receive a NAB Club Recognition Award valued at $2500, comprising cash and practical resources. Since supporting the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, NAB has donated over $600,000 worth of resources to junior football clubs through this initiative.
The NAB AFL Rising Star is the pinnacle of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfil their dream of playing in the AFL.
The NAB AFL Rising Stars Program provides recognition and a clearly identifiable direction for a player's career, and comprises the following elements:
NAB AFL Rising Star
NAB AFL Draft
NAB AFL Draft Combine
NAB AFL Under-18 Championships
AIS-AFL Academy
NAB AFL Under-16 Championships
