Nick Blakey has become Sydney's first contender for this year's AFL Rising Star award after his match-defining performance against Hawthorn on Friday night.
Blakey helped secure the 19-point win over the Hawks with two crucial goals in the last quarter, which has garnered him the round 14 nomination for the award. His spectacular contested mark, which led to his first goal, is also up for this round's mark of the year nomination.
On the rise: Sydney Swans rookie Nick Blakey.Credit:AAP
Key forward Blakey, 19, has added another dimenson to the Swans' attack this year but is seen by coach John Longmire as a player with the potential to operate much further up the field due to his endurance running ability.
"He's played mostly forward, he'll continue to play mostly forward but we're really confident he can play on the wing for us – that tall marking wingman with a big tank who can go forward and back and use the ball really well," Longmire said. "We've been really pleased with his development in that way."
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