Essendon Football Club congratulates Andrew McGrath on being named the 2017 NAB AFL Rising Star.
The 19 year-old was presented with the Ron Evans medal this afternoon after an incredible debut season.
McGrath was nominated following his impressive performance against Adelaide in Round 4. He was clean and efficient at the Adelaide Oval, collecting 28 disposals, laying 4 tackles and 5 scoring involvements.
The number one draft pick won the award after polling 51 votes, finishing 10 votes ahead of Ryan Burton.
McGrath said he was humbled to be named the 2017 NAB Rising Star.
“It’s been a huge year for everyone in the room,” McGrath said.
“You come into the system pretty optimistic with what you can achieve, I congratulate everyone on their fantastic year.
“I’m honoured to be a part of the Essendon football Club. I hope to be a part of it for many more years.
“To have a year like I had, both personally and from a team perspective has been amazing. All the boys are really keen to play finals and give the fans what they’ve wanted for so long.”
McGrath has played 20 games in the red and black so far this season, and from the moment he stepped out onto the MCG in Round 1, he never looked out of place.
His most impressive performance came in Round 21 when he kept the competitions most dangerous small forward, Eddie Betts, goalless, while also collecting 25 disposals of his own.
Senior Coach, John Worsfold, said McGrath’s transition into senior football had been seamless.
“The Rising Star Award is a wonderful accolade for Andrew, and a fitting reward for his performances over a debut season,” Worsfold said.
“His seamless transition into the professional AFL environment this season has been remarkable, and the standard of the football Andrew has been able to deliver on a consistent basis has been impressive.
“Andrew plays with a high level of composure and confidence, and his pressure in defence, ability to win one on one contests and drive off half back has been really important for us so far this season.”
McGrath becomes the second Essendon player to win the award, following in the footsteps of Captain, Dyson Heppell, who was crowned the NAB AFL Rising Star back in 2011.
List and Recruiting Manager, Adrian Dodoro, said McGrath has an extremely bright future ahead of him.
“Andrew is a fantastic young man, and we are all incredibly proud of how he has performed in his first season,” Dodoro said.
“When we drafted Andrew we felt he was ready to play senior football, he had a good pre-season and looked comfortable from the moment he played his first game. It speaks to the professionalism of Andy, but also of the Sandringham Dragons and Brighton Grammar Football programs.
“Andrew has such a bright future ahead of him, he has strong leadership qualities and we look forward to watching him develop into a wonderful Essendon player for years to come.”
2017 NAB AFL Rising Star Top Five
Andrew McGrath 51 votes
Ryan Burton 41 votes
Sam Powell-Pepper 35 votes
Charlie Curnow 27 votes
Eric Hipwood 6 votes
To view Andrew’s official player profile, click here.
