Essendon’s promising forward Nate Caddy has been named the Telstra AFL Rising Star nominee for round 22, following a standout performance. The 19-year-old impressed with 15 disposals, six marks, and three goals in Essendon’s narrow one-point defeat to Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night. Since his debut in round 11, Caddy has scored nine goals across eight games.
Selected with pick No. 10 in last year’s draft, Caddy has made a significant impact despite the Bombers’ recent challenges. In the game against the Suns, he achieved career-highs in disposals and goals, and matched his personal best in marks.
Caddy is the first Essendon player to receive a Rising Star nomination since 2022, when Nic Martin, Ben Hobbs, and Massimo D’Ambrosio were recognized. Following the loss, Essendon’s record stands at 11 wins and 1 draw from 21 games. They will face Sydney at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.
Here is a list of the 2024 Telstra AFL Rising Star nominees:
– Round 1: Ollie Dempsey (Geelong)
– Round 2: George Wardlaw (North Melbourne)
– Round 3: Harvey Gallagher (Western Bulldogs)
– Round 4: Sam Darcy (Western Bulldogs)
– Round 5: Harley Reid (West Coast)
– Round 6: Darcy Wilson (St Kilda)
– Round 7: Jake Rogers (Gold Coast)
– Round 8: Caleb Windsor (Melbourne)
– Round 9: Colby McKercher (North Melbourne)
– Round 10: Kai Lohmann (Brisbane)
– Round 11: Harvey Harrison (Collingwood)
– Round 12: Bodhi Uwland (Gold Coast)
– Round 13: Luke Nankervis (Adelaide)
– Round 14: Harvey Thomas (Greater Western Sydney)
– Round 15: Logan Morris (Brisbane)
– Round 16: Will Graham (Gold Coast)
– Round 17: Darcy Jones (Greater Western Sydney)
– Round 18: Lawson Humphries (Geelong)
– Round 19: Nick Watson (Hawthorn)
– Round 20: Josh Draper (Fremantle)
– Round 21: Jackson Archer (North Melbourne)
– Round 22: Nate Caddy (Essendon)
