AFL Rising Star

Angus Sheldrick Sydney Swans

Sydney has picked up some handy players from Western Australia in recent years.

Chad Warner is a star. Logan McDonald is shaping nicely. And here comes Angus Sheldrick.

The 178cm inside midfielder had 29 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 12 score involvements and a goal in Sydney’s crushing win over West Coast last Saturday, earning the round 15 AFL Rising Star nomination.

Sheldrick was taken with the 18th overall selection by the Swans in the 2021 NAB AFL Draft after an excellent season at Colts level for Claremont in the WAFL that culminated with 27 disposals and two goals in the Grand Final.

He made his debut for the Swans in the opening game of 2022 but his season was curtailed after two appearances because of a knee injury. He has played five games this season and was in good form leading into last weekend with 19 disposals against St Kilda (round 13) and Brisbane Lions (round 14).

Sheldrick, who played his junior football for Mosman Park, is Sydney’s first Rising Star nomination for 2023.

ASHLEY BROWNE

59-point pre-bye win over Gold Coast that snapped their six-game losing streak was an aberration or the start of a hair-raising run to the finals.

They meet Hawthorn at the MCG and should win again.

There is a significant gap between Hawthorn’s best and worst that usually depends on the availability of skipper James Sicily.

Geelong’s barnstorming final quarter against Melbourne sets up a big Friday night clash with the Sydney Swans, fresh off their belting of the Eagles.

With 81 and 93-point wins over the Swans in their past two encounters, the Cats will travel to the SCG with plenty of confidence.

They can end Sydney’s season once and for all and get themselves back into the eight with a win.