Nathan O’Driscoll has rounded out the nominations for the 2022 NAB AFL Rising Star, earning a round 23 nod for his efforts in Fremantle’s 20-point win against GWS on Saturday at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
 
The nomination adds to a swag of nominations this year for the 20-year-old, who won the goal of the year vote for round eight against North Melbourne while also earning nominations for his goals against Geelong and the Western Bulldogs.
 
He’s also the third Fremantle player to earn a Rising Star nomination this season, joining Heath Chapman and Brandon Walker.
 
With Fremantle battling injury throughout their forward line against GWS, O’Driscoll stepped up with two goals from the wing to go with his 17 disposals, five inside 50s, five clearances and four tackles.
 
While O’Driscoll felt the performance wasn’t his best this year, it added to what has been an impressive debut season after being drafted at no.27 in 2020.
 
His best performance was arguably in Fremantle’s home win against GWS, where he had two goals and 20 disposals.
 
“It’s unreal (to be nominated). I probably wasn’t expecting it for this round to be honest, but I guess they do it off the body of work that you put in throughout the season,” O’Driscoll said.
 
“I think my first half, like all the boys, was a bit flat and a bit down early. We got going in the second half and I think my performance certainly did as well.
 
“I couldn’t be more grateful to join ‘Chappy’ and ‘Walks’ with a nomination.”

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Ignoring his debut game where he came on late as a medical sub against St Kilda and had two disposals, O’Driscoll is averaging 17 disposals per game at AFL level.
 
This compared to his average of 15.3 disposals from 17 league games in the past two years in the WAFL. He also has nine goals from 10 games in the AFL compared to his two goals from 17 WAFL league appearances.
 
O’Driscoll believes his game better suits the style of play in the AFL.
 
“I think I play a lot better at AFL level at times, it’s a lot more open as a game and it’s a bit easier for a winger in that role,” O’Driscoll said.
 
“The WAFL is a lot tighter, it’s congested and with more contested footy. I’ve really enjoyed going up to the top level.”

While O’Driscoll believes this is more to do with his role instead of his ability to thrive under pressure at a higher level, he feels he can take confidence from his performances this year as Fremantle return to finals.
 
It starts with an Elimination Final against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday 3 September at Optus Stadium.

Fremantle finals ticket information
 
“My performances have reflected that I can play better at the higher level so I can take confidence there, but I think it’s mostly luck and positional stuff compared to WAFL,” O’Driscoll said.
 
“Finals is going to be crazy, I can’t wait to get around the fans and I’m hoping that we can fill Optus Stadium up with Purple.
 
“I hope it’s really loud and we can get over the top of them.”

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