2021 Mecwacare Men’s Rising Star nominees

With the home and away season for all sections concluding, the list of 2021 Mecwacare Men’s Rising Star nominees has been finalised.

Congratulations to all players who received a nomination this season. The shortlist and then the winner will be announced next month.

Round 1: Ed Nichols (Old Melburnians)

What the club said: “Ned’s ability to make good quick decisions in traffic and he has a great goal sense. He has exceptional skills, sure hands and has a great team ethos. According to his coach, Ned has attributes akin to two-time Woodrow medallist Jake Williams from De La Salle.”

Round 2: Castan Racunica (Old Haileybury)

What the club said: “Castan is in his first year at Old Haileybury and forms part of the new emerging breed at Princes Park. He never looks rushed with ball in hand and is capable of playing a variety of positions.”

Round 3: Josh Watson (Collegians)

What the club said: “Josh joined Collegians in 2021 and quickly became known for his hardness at both the ball and the opposition, as well as his booming left boot. He plays like a young Jack Viney and is renowned for his tree trunk quads.”

Round 4: Eddy Ziebarth (Uni Blues)

What the club said: “He’s a left footer and plays a bit like Luke Parker from the Sydney Swans. He’s a tough, inside type and relishes the contest, working hard in both directions all over the ground. He is known for his strength and being a bull where it comes to his attack on the ball.”

Round 5: Josh Le Grice (Old Brighton)

What the club said: “Josh first started playing for Old Brighton while in Year 11 and his strengths include his versatility, toughness, team player, pressure, and skills on both sides.”

Round 6: Jai Florent (Old Mentonians)

What the club said: “Jai does have the same traits and plays a lot like his older brother Oliver Florent (Sydney Swans) but we do see some similarities to Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions) with his strengths including speed, endurance, skills and ability to cover the ground.”

Round 7: Nicholas Bufalo (De La Salle)

What the club said: “His strengths as a player include a penetrating kick, dynamic line breaking abilities and he has been making big improvements in his defensive craft.”

Round 10: Ben Overman (St Bernard’s)

What the club said: “Ben began at St Bernard’s in our Junior Auskick program when he was five years old. He’s deceptively quick, a long and usually accurate kick – much like Adelaide’s Lachlan Sholl.”

Round 11: Matt Presutto (St Kevin’s OB)

What the club said: “Matt is a very calm and composed winner of the ball and an exceptional distributor off the half back line. Not surprisingly, his favourite AFL player and a model for his own game is Caleb Daniel of the Western Bulldogs.”

Round 12: Angus Grant (Old Mentonians)

What the club said: “Angus arrived at Old Mentonians’ preseason extremely fit over the summer and he is renowned for his hard work and training ethic. Displaying genuine leadership both on and off field, Angus is a respectful young man.”

Round 14: Angus Hart (St Kevin’s OB)

What the club said: “He is mobile for a big man, contests strongly in the air and covers the ground with ease. Angus is an extremely hard work, trains with the U19s before the Seniors and hasn’t missed a session with either all year!”