Carlton defender Caleb Marchbank is the Round 6 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee.
Marchbank played a key role in the Blues' 19-point victory over Sydney at the MCG on Saturday.
The 20-year-old stood tall across half-back, gathering 21 possessions and showing courage and excellent judgement by foot and in the air.
Marchbank played his junior football with the Benalla Junior Football Club in the Benalla & District Football League before representing the Murray Bushrangers in the TAC Cup competition.
Despite injuries hampering parts of his junior career, Marchbank represented Victoria Country in the 2014 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, receiving All-Australian honours. Known for his fierce attack on the footy, as well as his versatility to play in a number of key positions, the former GWS Giant was initially selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft.
The 193cm key defender made his AFL debut for the Giants in Round 12 of the 2015 season season against North Melbourne. He was traded to Carlton in the 2016 trade period and has so far played every match of the 2017 season.
Following each round of the home-and-away season, a panel of judges select a NAB AFL Rising Star nominee. At the completion of the season, one of these nominees will be chosen as the 2017 NAB AFL Rising Star.
The 2017 NAB AFL Rising Star winner will be awarded the Ron Evans Medal, a $20,000 personal investment folio and a dedicated personal banker, courtesy of NAB.
NAB continues to support footballers by recognising the junior clubs that helped foster the early careers of the nominated players.
Marchbank’s junior club, Benalla, which plays in the Benalla & District Football League, will receive a NAB Club Recognition Award valued at $2500, comprising financial and practical resources, as a result of his nomination. Since supporting the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, NAB has donated over $765,000 worth of resources to junior football clubs through this initiative.
