Who now sits alongside decorated Sydney Swans names like Adam Goodes, Ryan O’Keefe and Kieren Jack but “couldn’t have dreamed of this happening”?
The newest member of the Swans’ Rising Star club, first-year forward Nick Blakey.
The 19-year-old collected the prized honour at last Tuesday’s Club Champion Dinner at The Star, icing a spectacular campaign stamped with 19 goals from 21 games and a highlights reel packed with brilliant moments.
Blakey received the Rising Star award with overwhelming pride.
“It’s a massive honour and I’m very humbled to be the Rising Star for 2019,” Blakey told SwansTV.
“I couldn’t have dreamed of this happening in my first year and to come in and play 21 games is something I will cherish forever.
“I still pinch myself every day that I’m an AFL player and play for my favourite club in the Swans. I’m obviously very lucky to be playing AFL football and to be playing at the Swans is even more special.”
Blakey claimed an AFL Rising Star nomination after an outstanding performance against Hawthorn at the SCG in Round 14.
The QBE Sydney Swans Academy product admitted to having little impact over the first three quarters but would spearhead his team’s fourth-quarter pursuit of victory, grabbing two goals and a Mark of the Year contender in a 19-point win.
The New South Welshman also delivered on the big stage as Sydney trumped Essendon in Round 8, laying a holding-the-ball tackle on Mason Redman in the dying stages of the Swans’ five-point victory.
He had already claimed a significant scalp when he cut down Bombers skipper and All Australian midfielder Dyson Heppell with a holding-the-ball tackle earlier in the match.
But Blakey’s most treasured moment of his first season as an AFL footballer arose in Round 1, with the young Swan slotting his first goal in Sydney’s clash with the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
Star teammate and childhood hero Lance Franklin was among the 17 Swans on the ground who swamped him in euphoric scenes.
“I can’t even begin to describe it,” Blakey said.
“All the emotions that hit. Even just running out there not knowing what was going to happen and whether I was good enough to play at AFL level. Then to kick my first goal was just crazy, all the boys got around me and it’s something I’ll never forget.
“It’s crazy running around out there with Buddy (Franklin). I’ve watched him play and tried to play similar to him in everything I’ve done ever since I was a young kid. Now he’s my teammate, he’s a mate of mine, he’s taught me so much this year and I’m forever grateful for what he’s doing for me.”
