Essendon’s Dyson Heppell has taken out the AFL’s Rising Star award, polling 44 of a possible 45 votes with the 19-year old playing every game for the Bombers in his remarkable debut season.
Luke Shuey of the West Coast Eagles polled second with 37 votes, while Gold Coast’s Zac Smith was third (21 votes) in a side that was comprehensively beaten in most games.
Picked at No.8 in last November’s AFL draft, Heppell has made real influence in his first season, boosting a team that has climbed from the bottom four to the top eight.
Heppell was fittingly the first NAB Rising Star nomination for 2011. The young Bomber recorded 20 possessions in his debut AFL match against the Western Bulldogs.
“I’m just shocked at the moment actually,” Heppell said. He was presented with the Ron Evans Medal, as well as an investment portfolio worth $20,000 from award sponsor NAB.
“It’s an absolute dream come true. It has been a dream ride, the body’s managed to hold up for me, which has been fantastic.”
Having a rookie win the award also circumvents the recent discussions around allowing young players out of their rookie year to win the award.
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