Sydney Swans young gun Sofia Hurley has been named a NAB AFLW Rising Star nominee for Round 9 of the 2022 NAB AFLW Season Seven competition. 

The 18-year old, who was the fifth pick overall at this year's draft, has had a standout fortnight for the Swans.

In this week's match she had a season-high 15 disposals and four clearances in the 14-point loss to Fremantle. She also kicked a goal and laid three tackles on Saturday at Henson Park.

In Round 8 against the Bombers, Hurley kicked two goals and laid six tackles, earning her a spot in the AFLW Team of the Week.

Hurley has played all nine games since debuting in Round 1, averaging 4.6 tackles and 10 disposals.

Assistant coach Baker Denneman, who spoke at the post-match press conference while senior coach Scott Gowans was absent, spoke of Hurley's recent run of form.

"Sof is a great character and (her last few weeks are) a testament to her – she's put in a lot of hard work this season," Denneman said.

"She is a running midfielder that, hopefully, can go forward with a few preseasons under her belt. It's good to see her flourishing on the big stage."

Hurley is the second Sydney Swans player to receive a Rising Star nominee this season, joining Round 4 nominee Montana Ham.

She played junior football with South Melbourne Districts and the Port Melbourne Colts in the South Metro Junior Football League before playing for the Sandringham Dragons and also representing Victoria.

NAB AFLW Rising Star Information

The NAB AFLW Rising Star winner will 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. 

2022 NAB AFLW Season Seven Rising Star nominees

Round One – Abbey Dowrick (Port Adelaide) and Paige Scott (Essendon)
Round Two – Abbie Ballard (Adelaide Crows) and Daisy D'Arcy (Gold Coast SUNS)
Round Three – Hannah Ewings (Port Adelaide) and Rylie Wilcox (Western Bulldogs)
Round Four – Montana Ham (Sydney Swans) and Keeley Skepper (Carlton)
Round Five – Jasmine Fleming (Hawthorn) and Sarah Lakay (West Coast Eagles)
Round Six – Emily Pease (GWS GIANTS) and Ella Roberts (West Coast Eagles)
Round Seven – Charlotte Thomas (West Coast Eagles) and Lucy Wales (Hawthorn)
Round Eight – Tarni Evans (GWS GIANTS) and Steph Wales (Essendon)
Round Nine – Tahlia Gillard (Melbourne) and Sofia Hurley (Sydney Swans)