The 2021 Rising Star Thread

[Pates 9,690]

I’m surprised he qualifies, I swear he played plenty of games last season. In any case it’s very well deserved, he’s an absolute ripper. 

[DubDee 26,432]

1 minute ago, Pates said:

I’m surprised he qualifies, I swear he played plenty of games last season. In any case it’s very well deserved, he’s an absolute ripper. 

just made it. 9 games last year

still only 19yo!  what a beauty

[Demon Jack 7,155]

A game clear on top of the ladder and three rising star nominations midway through the season.

Yep, I think we're travelling alright.

[Jaded No More 68,976]

He is a genuine A grader already. For a 19 year old with 20 games to solidly hold his position in the best defensive unit in the competition is just bloody impressive. 
I think he will end up playing wing when his tank is up to it. Has the speed, skills and physicality to do it beautifully. 

[leave it to deever 17,598]

On 5/29/2021 at 2:14 PM, hemingway said:

Agreed. Rivers is something else. But also agree with your comments about the young brigade. For me this is just as thrilling as watching our stars. They have injected youth, energy,  enthusiasm, tenacity and never give up spirit. They have a fresh approach untainted by the past. Add to Rivers, Jordon, Kozzi, Jackson, Spargo, Petty, Sparrow, and yes, even Weideman. The future with these kids looks bright. 

The club has done well with thus group. Great stuff. Although your being generous with Sam W .. he turns 24 in a few weeks.

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,525]

He's so solid, self assured and steady that I don't even think of him as a 'young' player anymore.
He has all the attributes to make him a very, very good player for many years to come.

 

 

[ArtificialWisdom 4,045]

Riv! Thank god he finally got his nom. Long overdue. 

So calm with the ball after just 20 games. Always confident with it in his hands, huge future. 

[adonski 13,064]

Reminds me of Elliot Yeo. Think he'll be a midfielder eventually. 

[Demon Dynasty 17,135]

VN game on Saturday night.  7 intercepts and 5 rebounds.  I've seen him play as well or maybe even a tad better on occasions but given the opposition and 1 v 2 block buster he deserved every bit of this nomination.

Approaches every match with gusto & a great attitude.  Takes the game on at every opp.  Makes the occasional blunder as all players do, especially rookies, but often follows up to attempt to rectify immediately or try and impact at the next opportunity.

No fear since his first match!  I know Lockhart has been injured a fair bit and certainly not saying he wont come back by any means but they were probably vying for a similar role and he's managed to keep him out after joining a year later.  Although i'm just guessing as to role play positions here.  Happy to be corrected.   Great pick up.

[Demonland 73,915]

 

[Demonland 73,915]

 

[Jibroni 5,048]

Best looking player we've had since Russell Roberston, well at least according to the wife anyway.

Congrats Trent :)

[Demonland 73,915]

 

[hemingway 7,633]

43 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

The club has done well with thus group. Great stuff. Although your being generous with Sam W .. he turns 24 in a few weeks.

When you love something or somebody, it’s easy to be generous. And I love our club. Sam is a Demon with upside. At the moment we can afford to be generous. 

[leave it to deever 17,598]

18 minutes ago, hemingway said:

When you love something or somebody, it’s easy to be generous. And I love our club. Sam is a Demon with upside. At the moment we can afford to be generous. 

I love your passion for the club. You are a great supporter Ernest.

[Fritta and Turner 4,678]

Well done to Daisy Pearce for nominating him during the broadcast.

[DeeZee 7,463]

Saw something in this kid the first time I watched him play.

[dees189227 12,464]

His first half in particular was great last Friday. Ha ha all the Essendon fans complaining suck it up. 

[rjay 25,360]

3 hours ago, Jaded said:

He is a genuine A grader already. For a 19 year old with 20 games to solidly hold his position in the best defensive unit in the competition is just bloody impressive. 
I think he will end up playing wing when his tank is up to it. Has the speed, skills and physicality to do it beautifully. 

...and he's been trusted to take some of the kick outs even from his first season/game.

It doesn't hurt having mentors like Lever, May, Hibberd & Jetta around the club.

How things have changed.

[At Least I Saw a Flag 5,329]

1 hour ago, DeeZee said:

Saw something in this kid the first time I watched him play.

Me too. 200 game player for sure (barring injury).

That 2019 draft was amazing for MFC. All 3 picks are fantastic.

[Adam The God 30,644]

4 hours ago, Dwight Schrute said:

I am really interested to see what position Rivers is playing in 3 years time, will he still be at Half back, or transition into being a winger 

Given his ball use, his hardness at the contest, his second and third efforts, I think he could be in contention for a genuine midfield spot. His ball use out of there would be very handy too.

He's such a brilliant defender that unless we can replace him behind the ball, I wouldn't be rushing to put him in our midfield.

Edited May 31, 2021 by A F

[Adam The God 30,644]

4 hours ago, Jaded said:

He is a genuine A grader already. For a 19 year old with 20 games to solidly hold his position in the best defensive unit in the competition is just bloody impressive. 
I think he will end up playing wing when his tank is up to it. Has the speed, skills and physicality to do it beautifully. 

I love this kid too, but reckon he's just off A grade. It's just a consistency thing, which he may have solved by the end of the year.

So excited by Rivers, JJ, Kozzie, Jackson and even Sparrow's development.

3 hours ago, adonski said:

Reminds me of Elliot Yeo. Think he'll be a midfielder eventually. 

Interesting. He reminds me of Joel Selwood, but a better kick, less ducky and surely a better bloke.

3 hours ago, Rusty Nails said:

VN game on Saturday night.  7 intercepts and 5 rebounds.  I've seen him play as well or maybe even a tad better on occasions but given the opposition and 1 v 2 block buster he deserved every bit of this nomination.

Approaches every match with gusto & a great attitude.  Takes the game on at every opp.  Makes the occasional blunder as all players do, especially rookies, but often follows up to attempt to rectify immediately or try and impact at the next opportunity.

No fear since his first match!  I know Lockhart has been injured a fair bit and certainly not saying he wont come back by any means but they were probably vying for a similar role and he's managed to keep him out after joining a year later.  Although i'm just guessing as to role play positions here.  Happy to be corrected.   Great pick up.

Lockhart may well be the key to Rivers playing further up the ground.

17 minutes ago, rjay said:

...and he's been trusted to take some of the kick outs even from his first season/game.

It doesn't hurt having mentors like Lever, May, Hibberd & Jetta around the club.

How things have changed.

Yeah, it was interesting hearing May talk about how they constantly tell Rivers/reinforce to Rivers that he doesn't have to touch the ball to be a vital role player in the team (paraphrasing there).

It sounds like we're at a stage where the players are coaching each other on ground. That's so exciting because that's the hallmark of the great modern sides likes Geelong and Hawthorn.

[hemingway 7,633]

2 hours ago, leave it to deever said:

I love your passion for the club. You are a great supporter Ernest.

All the posters on this site are passionate about the club. And despite the stereotypes, Dees supporters are a passionate mob. 

Many of us are experiencing something new and different this season. 

Its a new found belief and confidence in the club and the players. You can see it with the players. There is a new found alchemy within the team. A realisation that we have a group of great players and some young kids who will be great. 

Something special is a foot. We will lose games and we may not take the ultimate prize this year. You need a lot of luck and at any time that luck can go missing. Injuries, form, suspension, umpires. 

Irrespective, we have a team worth watching. We want to go to the games, we want to watch the games on TV. Hey, do you believe this old team of ours is in control of the game. They may be well paid but they are playing for more than money. They want to experience success and feel proud of their team, and they want to give back to supporters. They really care. 

So soak it up and enjoy every minute. It will not last for ever so enjoy the present. And be generous in our praise. And let’s avoid harsh criticism and scapegoating individual players. These young men are under enormous pressure to perform. They cannot all be champions but you can tell that they are giving it their best shot. 

They are playing like Demons. However, the whole club needs a big pat on the back. We are starting to behave like a successful club on and off the field.

Let’s all enjoy the ride wherever it takes us. 

We no longer have a winter of discontent ahead of us. We have rediscovered our love of winter and our great game. Most importantly, our love for our great club. 

[BradDemonSufferer 134]

Melbourne’s Trent Rivers the third East Fremantle product, fourth West Aussie nominated for AFL Rising Star | The West Australian

[durango 2,023]

I made a prediction when we recruited this player and not Hayden Young that Trent might just be a better player and will turnout to be a very good player.

So far my prediction is okay looking at Hayden Young and Trent Rivers stats and games played.