AFL Rising Star

Bailey Humphrey Gold Coast Suns

Gold Coast is putting together a fine midfield and Bailey Humphrey is shaping as a key element.

He earned the round nine AFL Rising Star nomination after gathering 20 possessions, at 70 per cent disposal efficiency, in West Coast’s thumping 70-point win over West Coast, the largest away win in the club’s history.

He had 10 contested possessions, kicked a goal and had five tackles, five inside-50s and 404 metres gained.

It was a complete performance and the Suns can already feel confident they called the right name with the sixth selection overall at the 2022 NAB AFL Draft.

He nearly earned the nomination the previous week with 15 touches and five tackles in the Suns’ narrow loss to Melbourne.

Humphrey was drafted from the Gippsland Power and came runner-up in the Morrish Medal last year for the fairest and best player in the Coates Talent League.

He played his junior football for the Moe Lions in the Gippsland League.

ASHLEY BROWNE four points in round 11 and by a point in the final game of the season, which pushed the Blues out of the top eight after they had been there all season.

And they’re on the outside looking in once again after losing four of their past five games.

They kicked one goal in the opening half against the Western Bulldogs last week, then rallied to hit the front in the final quarter, before the Dogs steadied to win by 20 points.

Coach Michael Voss liked what he saw in the second half and certainly the Blues threw caution to the wind as they mounted their comeback.

But there would need to be significant improvement again to overcome the Magpies, the best and most entertaining side in the competition through the opening two months of the season.