SELWOOD WINS AFL NAB RISING STAR AWARD
Ben Jensen 5 September 2007

By Ben Jensen GEELONG'S JOEL SELWOOD has won the AFL's NAB Rising Star award for 2007, and was awarded the inaugural Ron Evans Medal. Taken by the Cats with pick seven in the 2006 AFL National Draft, Selwood edged out Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury, Melbourne's Nathan Jones and Port Adelaide's Justin Westhoff in a near unanimous choice. Only former West Coast star Chris Mainwaring didn't give Selwood the maximum five votes.

Selwood is hoping to become the first ever winner to also win a Premiership in the same year, and plays in his first final this Sunday against the Kangaroos at the MCG. Geelong Football Club coach Mark Thompson declared Selwood the 'best first year player' he'd seen at the club earlier this season. But Selwood maintains the public statement didn't affect him. "It didn't really worry me, it didn't make me feel any more pressured or anything like that. It was better just getting it from him", he said.

The first Geelong player to win the Rising Star award in its fifteenth year history, the 19-year-old midfielder was presented the inaugural Ron Evans Medal by Andrea Evans at a function held at Melbourne's Crown Palladium today. He has also won a personal investment portfolio and a dedicated personal banker, courtesy of National Australia Bank.

OVERALL VOTING

1. Joel Selwood Geelong 44
2. Scott Pendlebury Collingwood 37
3. Nathan Jones Melbourne 17
4. Justin Westhoff Port Adelaide 10
5. Shannon Hurn West Coast 9
6. Jess Smith Kangaroos 7
7. Bryce Gibbs Carlton 6
8. Tom Williams Western Bulldogs 2
8. Patrick Ryder Essendon 2
10. Martin Clarke Collingwood 1

Joel debuted in Round One and quickly found a regular place in the Cats' midfield. His statistics illustrate how he has become an important part of the side. His 83 tackles ranks third at the club; he ranked fourth in clearances with 60, sixth in goal assists with 15, seventh in hard-ball gets with 46 and eighth in marks with 98.

He played 18 matches during the home and away season and averaged 19 possessions a match. Joel also kicked seven goals. He was nominated in Round Five.

In becoming the 2007 NAB AFL Rising Star, Joel has capped a stellar junior career. He was a member of the AIS-AFL Academy squad and captained the Under-17 Australian side against Ireland in 2005. Joel won the Barassi Medal for best player during this tour.

In 2005 he represented Vic Country in 2005 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and was named an All-Australian.

These credentials guaranteed him certain top 10 selection at the 2006 NAB AFL Draft. He was Geelong's first selection (seventh overall), despite a knee injury restricting him to only three games with the Bendigo Pioneers in the TAC Cup in 2006.

Hailing from the Sandhurst Football Club in Bendigo, Joel is the younger brother of Adam (West Coast Eagles) and Troy (Brisbane Lions) and older brother to 17-year-old Scott, who is eligible to be drafted in November this year. Adam and Troy were Rising Star nominees in consecutive weeks in 2005.

Geelong coach Mark Thompson congratulated Joel on his win. "Joel has stepped in and from day one earned the respect of everyone at the club. The way he plays, the way he prepares and the way he conducts himself is first-class. He respects the game and that was evident from the first time I met him," Thompson said.

"We were thrilled when we were able to draft him and he has fitted into our team as if he has been here for five years. To win the Ron Evans Medal is a deserved honour and I think he has clearly been the stand-out first-year player this season. He has been an integral part of our midfield and his hardness has set him apart from most first-year players. He has no fear and he uses the ball well.

"Our recruiting and coaching staff who have worked with Joel to improve his game also deserve credit and recognition. The great thing about Joel winning this award is that I know he will be back at training tomorrow totally unaffected by it, and that isn't always easy when you're a young player," Thompson said.

NAB Executive Director and CEO Ahmed Fahour said NAB was again proud to be associated with the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program. This is a fantastic achievement for Geelong's Joel Selwood, a young player whose spirit, courage and talent make him a worthy 2007 NAB AFL Rising Star," Mr Fahour said.

"While there can only be one winner, all 22 young players nominated today should be congratulated on their achievements throughout the year, and for the hope and encouragement they're providing their clubs and supporters. NAB is delighted to contribute to the development of AFL football through the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program and we look forward to
celebrating Joel's career success well into the future."

The NAB AFL Rising Star was voted by the All-Australian selection panel: Andrew Demetriou (chairman), Adrian Anderson, Rod Austin, Gerard Healy, Mark Bickley, Kevin Bartlett, Robert Walls, Chris Mainwaring and Kevin Sheehan (Rising Star selector only).

SELECTOR'S VOTES