Port Adelaide midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper is the season’s first AFL Rising Star nominee after producing one of the individual highlights in the opening round.
Powell-Pepper was outstanding in their upset win over Sydney with 19 possessions, seven clearances and two goals.
He was Port’s second selection at No.18 in the national draft last year and the WA recruit already is justifying their faith that he can have an immediate impact.
The Power recruited Powell-Pepper from East Perth and he also played for WA in last year’s under-18 championships.
He was the only player to have a perfect score in the goalkicking test at last year’s national draft combine.