Players and fans alike have been scratching their heads trying to work out why Adelaide’s Lachlan Sholl was overlooked for a Rising Star nomination this weekend.
Sholl received eight votes from the respective coaches for his performance in the win over Carlton, where he kicked two goals and had eight score involvements, five inside 50s and picked up 24 disposals.
Crows players, as well as Port Adelaide’s Travis Boak and Brisbane’s Mitch Robinson, took to Twitter to voice their confusion when Collingwood’s Isaac Quaynor was given the Round 17 nomination. Adelaide veteran Taylor Walker said he was “flabbergasted”.
Sam Edmund and Jordan Lewis discussed the decision on SEN Breakfast this morning.
Edmund: “How did Lachie Sholl not win the Rising Star nomination? The Crows players have come from absolutely everywhere to ask the question.”
Lewis: “I think what that tells us is they are not necessarily rewarding on one performance. Sholl has been building to this performance, but this was his outstanding performance.”
Edmund: “Well why do they have a weekly nomination then?”
Lewis: “He was the best player eligible to be nominated this weekend, but they have rewarded Quaynor for the body of work. I agree, out of all the players eligible, Sholl was the best player this weekend.”
Edmund: “I’m not taking anything away, I love watching Quaynor. He had 17 touches, seven marks, two score involvements, one inside 50. He was nowhere near as good on the weekend (as Sholl), that’s clear to see. It’s a strange process. Why do we have a nomination?”
Lewis: “They could just announce the winner at the end of the year.”
Edmund: “Apparently it’s a body of work for nominations at this time of year – how can you overlook that for a four-quarter body of work?”
Lewis: “That’s the hardest thing with the Rising Star, you could have one or two weeks with no standouts and you have to award it. Then you’ve got a week with potentially three people putting in performances worthy of being nominated. Do we have to limit it to just one nomination per week? Why can’t we make the pool bigger than 18?”
Terry Wallace awarded Sholl top votes in this week's MEGT Australia Rookie of the Year voting.
Crows and Demons youngsters lead the way in Round 17 voting for the @MEGTAustralia Rookie of the Year. #AFL pic.twitter.com/5TqzD5o0I7
— AFL Nation (@AFLNation) September 15, 2020
