Geelong midfielder Georgie Prespakis’ seamless transition to the AFLW has been recognised with a NAB Rising Star Award nomination.
The 18-year-old made her AFLW debut in the Cats’ eight-point loss to North Melbourne on Saturday and was the standout in Geelong’s midfield.
She showed her skills from the first bounce, collecting the first clearance of the game, and finished with 20 disposals, an equal-game-high seven clearances, six tackles, five inside 50s and two score involvements.
Her kicking was important for Geelong, collecting 402 metres gained – the most of any Cat.
Cats AFLW coach Dan Lowther said he was impressed with Prespakis’ performance, highlighting she led the team in disposals, contested possessions and clearances.
“To have Georgie Prespakis come out and play the way she did just shows she’s ready for AFLW football,” he said.
North Melbourne’s Mia King was the other rising star nomination for round one.
Prespakis played junior with Sunbury Lions and was drafted from the Calder Cannons with the second pick in the 2021 draft, with the Cats excited by her ability to find the football around stoppages.
Her nomination means she has the chance to follow in the footsteps of her older sister and Carlton star Madison, who won the rising star award in 2019 before claiming the AFLW best and fairest a year later.
Prespakis is the favourite to take out the award, with 10 of the competition’s 14 captains nominating her as the likely rising star winner ahead of the season.
