Gun Bomber youngster Mark McVeigh has finished third in the 2001 Ansett Rising Star Award. This season's award was won by Justin Koschitzke of St Kilda with Daniel Kerr of West Coast coming in second. There was more good news for the Bombers with Danny Jacobs also polling very well and finishing in fourth place. Aaron Henneman, the Bombers other nomination was one of 15 nominees who failed to poll a vote from the selection panel. Today's result adds to Essendon's excellent recent record in the prestigious award with Adam Ramanauskas and Dean Rioli having finished second in the previous two years.
""It is a real thrill,"" McVeigh said after the award presentation. ""There were some very good players among the nominations and to finish so high was great. A lot of people tell you that you're a chance but I didn't think I would win. Justin is an excellent player and a deserved winner.""
Danny Jacobs was surprised to have polled so well. ""I just wanted to poll one vote - if that had happened I would have walked away happy. To finish fourth was a real surprise,"" Jacobs said. For Aaron Henneman, the nomination was enough to keep him happy. ""It was a little goal I set myself at the start of the year and I achieved it. Just to be here was great and it just adds to what I hope will be a very memorable season for the club,"" Henneman said.