In his debut season at the highest level, Noah Anderson had a season to remember, finishing sixth overall in Gold Coast’s 2020 Club Champion.

After being taken by the SUNS with the second pick in the 2019 NAB AFL Draft, Anderson has gone on to play all 17 games in his rookie season.

The midfielder showed improvement each week he played, and a successful mid-season shuffle from the wing to the inside midfield proved Anderson’s versatility as player.

The 19-year-old won the Elastoplast Emerging Player award at the Club Champion event which recognises the player the coaches believe has had a breakout year.

Anderson also received recognition from the wider AFL community for his outstanding season with a second-place finish in both the NAB AFL Rising Star and the AFL Players’ Association Best First Year Player awards.

A strong end to the year has set the midfielder up for his second pre-season before switching focus to 2021.

Stat that matters:
Anderson averaged 17 disposals per game as a first-year player. When equated to full-length game-time that works out to 21 disposals per game which is more than David Swallow averaged in his debut season. In the final four matches of the season Anderson lifted his average to 22 disposals per game (approx. 28 when adjusted).

Best performance:
Anderson got better as the year wore on. He had a breakout match in Round 7 (earning the NAB AFL Rising Star nomination that week), but his best performance came in Round 14 against North Melbourne. In that match he had 23 disposals, five clearances and a goal in the win at Metricon Stadium. 

Moment of the season:
Finding out he would be making his AFL debut in Round 1 would have to be up there. Other memorable moments would include getting his first AFL win in Round 2 and earning a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination in Round 7.

Year in a movie title:
Arrival