Crow Ebony Marinoff is one of the first two NAB AFL Women’s Rising Star nominees.
Marinoff and Western Bulldogs defender Bailey Hunt both received nominations in Round One.
Marinoff, 19, was arguably the best player on the ground in Adelaide’s 36-point win over Greater Western Sydney on Saturday.
The midfielder was the leading possession-getter at Thebarton Oval with 20, including a game-high 11 contested and the first-ever handball by a Crow in AFLW. She also laid six tackles and generated three inside 50ms.
After the game, Marinoff told AFL.com.au she put the build-up to the opening round and the pressure of playing in front of a crowd of more than 10,000 to one side to stay focused on winning the game.
"If you're not nervous there's something wrong … but you've got to put that into your game and make sure you come out firing because at the end of the day, it's just a game of footy," Marinoff said.
"The fans were bloody awesome, the atmosphere was insane and I can't wait to see where this leads.
"To be at Thebarton Oval, have a (women’s) League … with eight teams, guernseys (and) elite facilities – I didn't think it would happen. I know one day I'll be a professional athlete, so I'll keep at it and see where it takes me."
Recruited from the Morphettville Park Football Club, Marinoff was Adelaide’s first pick in the inaugural AFLW draft.
The left-footer has represented South Australia at youth and senior level, and played for Melbourne in the wildly successful women’s exhibition game last year. She was named an All Australian in 2016 after the AFL women’s exhibition series.
Marinoff played her junior footy with Lockleys and was also a surf lifesaver and talented netballer.
Affectionately known as ‘Noffy’, the bubbly Marinoff is one of four teenagers in the AFLW Crows
The eligibility for the AFL Women’s Rising Star award is the same as in the men’s competition. Nominees must be under the age of 21 at January 1, 2017, and have played no more than 10 games. The overall winner must also not have been suspended during the season.
The only difference is that two players (rather than one) will be nominated after each round of the seven-game home-and-away season. Approximately 50 players in the inaugural AFL Women’s Competition meet the criteria.
A panel comprising the following names will vote to award the eventual winner: Simon Lethlean, Mark Evans, Josh Vanderloo, Jennie Loughnan, Kevin Sheehan, Peta Searle, Darren Flanigan, Kelly Underwood, Ros Lanigan and Shelley Ware.
