Gold Coast SUNS young gun Jake Rogers has been announced as the Round 7 Rising Star nominee following an eye-catching performance against the West Coast Eagles.
Rogers was prolific in just his second AFL game, accruing 22 disposals, 13 contested possessions and eight score involvements to go with a maiden AFL goal in Sunday’s 37-point win at People First Stadium.
Rogers equaled the the GC SUNS club record for most goal assists in a match (four), joining the likes of Gary Ablett, Tom Lynch, Ben Ainsworth, Brandon Matera, Nick Malceski and Alex Sexton to also hold the record.
The SUNS Academy product, and Broadbeach Cats junior, becomes the club’s 24th Rising Star nominee and the first of 2024.
Following an injury-interrupted pre-season, Rogers earned his AFL debut in Round 6 and has put his trademark agility, clean hands and creativity on full display in his first two games.
The former SUNS Academy captain, and AFL Academy member, was selected by the SUNS with Pick 14 in the 2023 AFL Draft and become the club’s fifth debutant of the season a fortnight ago.
In his draft year, Rogers was also named in the Under 18 All-Australian after being a driving forces in the Allies’ inaugural National Championships victory.
2024 AFL Rising Star nominees:
OR: Matt Roberts (Sydney Swans)
R1: Ollie Dempsey (Geelong Cats)
R2: George Wardlaw (North Melbourne)
R3: Harvey Gallagher (Western Bulldogs)
R4: Sam Darcy (Western Bulldogs)
R5: Harley Reid (West Coast Eagles)
R6: Darcy Wilson (St Kilda)
R7: Jake Rogers (Gold Coast SUNS)
