AFL Rising Star

JUDD McVEE MELBOURNE

Playing every game of the season for a premiership contender at 19 is no mean feat.

And it was reason enough for Melbourne small defender Judd McVee to earn the round 18 AFL Rising Star nomination.

He had 14 disposals last Friday night in the Demons’ thrilling come-from-behind win over Brisbane at the MCG and through 17 games has impressed with his rebound from defence and clean hands at ground level regarded as features of his game.

McVee was a member of the Casey Demons premiership team in 2022, his first season with Melbourne after being selected with the 18th overall pick at the 2022 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

He played his junior football with Rover Junior Football Club in the Great Northern Junior Football League and was drafted from East Fremantle.

He and Jacob van Rooyen are Melbourne’s two Rising Star nominations so far this season.

ASHLEY BROWNE a Giants-Suns clash garners much interest, but Sunday’s clash is one such time.

FREMANTLE (OPPORTUNITY

LONG MISSED): No shame in getting blown off the park by Collingwood last week. But losing to the similarly placed Carlton, Western Bulldogs, Richmond and GWS Giants the weeks before is where it all went pear-shaped for the Dockers. Such is the evenness of the season that they can still play finals if they win enough games from here, as unlikely as that is.

SYDNEY (OPPORTUNITY TAKEN): It might have taken a significant milestone (John Longmire’s 300th game as coach) to awaken them from their slumber, but they eked out a win against the Bulldogs last week and while they need to be perfect from here, there isn’t a game remaining where they would start as rank outsiders.