Sydney Swans Academy member Will Gowers has earned the Round 5 NEAFL Rising Star nomination following his eye-catching performance against NT Thunder in Darwin on Friday night.

The 19-year-old midfielder collected the equal highest possessions (28) for the game, together with seven inside 50s and a goal, as the Swans won a historic first ever match in Darwin by 24 points.

An inaugural member of the Swans Academy – joining the club when he was just 11 – Gowers missed out on NSW/ACT Rams selection last year for the National Under-18 Championships.

But the Swans offered the Glebe Greyhounds junior the opportunity to join their Under-19 Academy squad this year to further develop at NEAFL level.

Gowers hasn’t missed a match so far, averaging 20 disposals, and said he is relishing the chance to continue playing with the club.

“I’ve always been a late developer, so when I didn’t get picked (for NSW/ACT Rams) I knew I had the club’s support to give me another year to see what I can do,” he said.

“It’s a privilege to be able to do some of the things I do, like training on the SCG with the Swans boys. I know I’m pretty lucky with what I’ve got here, and it’s not something I am taking for granted this year.”

The Rising Star is awarded to the most promising young talent in the NEAFL competition.

Nominees must be under the age of 21 and played less than 20 senior games (excluding games as AFL top-up players) at the start of the 2017 season.