Collingwood’s Marley Williams was named on Tuesday as the round-18 AFL Rising Star nominee.

The half-back flanker was one of the Magpies’ best on Saturday night at the MCG against Greater Western Sydney with 16 possessions.

Marley, 20, has played 16 games since debuting in round nine last year. He broke back into the Collingwood side in round eight this season and has played all 10 games since. This year, he is averaging 16 possessions, four marks and three tackles.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said Marley was being rewarded for his hard work.

“Marley’s application to his craft over the last two to three months in particular has been excellent.

“The work that he is done with the development coaches … has set him up to succeed and we have seen the fruition of that on the field,” he said.

Marley was recruited from the North Albany club and represented Western Australia in the 2011 AFL under-18 championships.

He played the 2010 season with the Claremont Colts in Perth and had two senior WAFL games in 2011 before Collingwood recruited him in the 2012 rookie draft with selection 35. He was elevated to the senior list in 2012.