Gold Coast SUNS defender Daisy D’Arcy has been named a Round 2 NAB AFLW Rising Star nominee after a standout performance against West Coast on the weekend.
D’Arcy showed composure under pressure in the SUNS’ 33-point victory, recording a game-high nine intercepts from her 16 disposals at an impressive efficiency of 81%.
She also had nine contested possessions, five tackles and a goal assist.
D'Arcy was recognised with three Round 2 coaches' votes in the AFL Coaches Association AFLW Champion Player of the Year award.
The 19-year-old has been one of the most consistent SUNS players since being drafted to the club in 2020.
Currently in her third AFLW season, she has played 21 matches for the club and won the SUNS Players’ Player award in both 2021 and 2022, as well as a third-placed finish in the SUNS Club Champion in her debut season.
D’Arcy’s local club in Townsville is Hermit Park Tigers Australian Football Club. While playing for Hermit Park, she was invited to join the Gold Coast SUNS Academy.
Adelaide’s Abbie Ballard was the other Round 2 nominee, with the NAB AFLW Rising Star winner to be announced at the 2022 W Awards.
All AFLW players under the age of 21 on 31 December 2022 and who have not previously been nominated as a Rising Star qualify for consideration for the award.
Two players will be nominated each week of the NAB AFLW Competition. Each of the 20 NAB AFLW Rising Star nominees throughout the season will be awarded $500 prize money from NAB to acknowledge their great achievement.
In addition, NAB will continue to support the development of future footy stars by awarding junior clubs of each nominee with a $1,000 cash NAB Club Recognition Award.
The overall NAB AFLW Rising Star winner will be awarded $20,000 from NAB and a private banker to assist with securing their financial future.
Celebrating 20 years in partnership with the AFL, NAB is proud to support the development of female footballers throughout the country from NAB AFL Auskick through to the NAB AFLW Competition.
AFLW Season 7 Rising Star Nominees
Round 1: Abbey Dowrick (Port Adelaide) and Paige Scott (Essendon)
Round 2: Daisy D'Arcy (Gold Coast SUNS) and Abbie Ballard (Adelaide Crows)
