Golby became the second Lions player in eight weeks to achieve the honour, after Claye Beam’s earned the nod for his Round 1 performance against Melbourne.
“Mitch is one of our most improved players,” O’Donnell told LIONS TV as part of the weekly Vero Coaches Wrap.
“He’s getting better and better every week and it’s good for the Club, and him, to see him rewarded with this week’s Rising Star.”
“Hopefully he can play out the rest of the year at that same sort of level, and be a long-term player for our future.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s match against North Melbourne, O’Donnell also said it was important for the Lions to capitalise on winning momentum and rectify their poor record in Melbourne.
“Other than the Round 1 game, we haven’t had good form in Melbourne over the last few years,” he said.
“It’s a key thing for us to have a good performance down there against a team that’s sitting equal with us on points and in the part of the ladder.”
“We haven’t been playing Etihad Stadium well - it’s been a bit of a bogey for us.”
“It’s important we get a good start and really take it up to them and take a bit of momentum we got on the weekend into the game.”
