Lawson Humphries has been recognised for his outstanding performance against Collingwood, earning the Round 18 Telstra AFL Rising Star nomination.
Humphries was instrumental in the Cats’ win on Friday night, picking up 23 disposals and 13 marks while going at an incredible 96% efficiency by foot.
In just his third game at the top level, the young gun looked at home, controlling Geelong’s half back line while helping lockdown Collingwood’s dangerous small forwards.
The rising star nomination is another moment in what is already an incredible story for Humphries, after he was selected with pick 63 in the 2023 National draft.
With the ability to pinpoint targets with on both sides of his body, the young defender honed his craft in the VFL earlier this season before earning his chance with the AFL side making his debut against Essendon in Round 16. Humphries has played the last three consecutive games in the senior side.
Geelong captain, Patrick Dangerfield spoke about Humphries as a player and a person following Friday’s big win over the Magpies.
“As soon as he got into our program it was like man, nobody can pick what foot he is and he retains the ball every time he gets it,” Dangerfield said.
“He bided his time through the VFL this year, but we always knew that when he eventually came into the side, good luck dislodging him.
“He thinks a step ahead, he understands the game really well and it is a pretty incredible story.
“As a player you fall in love with Lawson even more because he is such a great person, so when you add those things together he is such a positive, vibrant personality and it is infectious.”
Humphries joins Ollie Dempsey (Round 1) as the second Cat to be nominated for the 2024 Telstra AFL Rising Star award.
