The Geelong Cats’ Olivia Purcell has been named alongside the Adelaide Crows’ Chloe Scheer as Round Five NAB AFL Women’s Rising Star Nominees.

Strong around the contest and a hard ball winner, Purcell, 19, had her strongest game this season gathering 20 disposals, 10 tackles and a goal in the Geelong Cats’ 27-point win over the Brisbane Lions on Saturday at Moreton Bay.

A Geelong local, Purcell began her football career at St Mary's Sporting Club. The best and fairest winner in the Geelong Falcons 2018 Premiership season, Purcell also has an extraordinary list of achievements at junior level including multiple selections in the TAC Cup Team of the Year, representing Vic Country at the 2018 NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships and being named in the 2018 Under-18 All-Australian team.

Purcell also played a vital role in helping the Geelong Cats VFLW team progress to the 2018 VFLW Grand Final and was named amongst the best players before joining the Cats’ inaugural NAB AFL Women’s team (selection 14 overall at the NAB AFLW Draft).

All AFLW players 21 years and under as at 1 January 2019 and who have not previously been nominated as a rising star qualify for consideration for the award.
 
Two players will be nominated each week of the NAB AFL Women’s season. Each of the 14 NAB AFL Women’s Rising Star nominees throughout the season will be awarded $500 prize money from NAB to acknowledge their great achievement. In addition, NAB will continue to support the development of future footy stars by awarding junior clubs of each nominee with a NAB Club Recognition Award pack of practical and financial resources, valued at $2000.
 
The overall NAB AFL Women’s Rising Star winner will be awarded $20,000 from NAB and a private banker to assist with securing their financial future.