PORT ADELAIDE forward Mitch Georgiades has had a podium finish in the 2021 NAB AFL Rising Star award, announced on Thursday night.
Georgiades polled 28 votes – finishing 23 votes behind the winner, Melbourne’s Luke Jackson. Greater Western Sydney midfielder Tom Green was third with 38 votes.
Jackson claimed the Ron Evans Medal after being given the full five votes from nine of the 11 judges, with Brisbane premiership player Chris Johnson (two votes) and Sydney great Jude Bolton (four votes) the only members of the panel to not rank Jackson as the best this season.
Georgiades was nominated in Round 5 for his brilliant three goal effort against Carlton.
Playing just his eleventh game, the 19-year-old had a career-high 15 disposals to go with five marks and two tackles.
Drafted with pick 18 in the 2019 National Draft from Subiaco in Western Australia, Georgiades’ was also nominated for the award last season when he received the honour in Round 9, 2020 after his third career game.
Georgiades has played 28 games to this point, booting 40 goals including 32 in 21 games this season.
He averages four marks per game and is renowned for his high leaping and strong marking, being nominated for the AFL’s mark of the year after his hanger on the back of Melbourne captain Max Gawn in Round 17.
The teenager will be missing for Port Adelaide’s Qualifying Final against Geelong with a tight hamstring but it is hoped he will be able to return for either a Preliminary Final or Semi-Final.
Georgiades’ third placing is the highest finish by a Port Adelaide player in the Rising Star award since Connor Rozee finished second in 2019. Teammate Sam Powell-Pepper also finished third in 2017.
Danyle Pearce (2006) was the last Port player to win the award, with Michael Wilson also claiming top honours for the Power in 1997.
2021 NAB AFL Rising Star voting
51 votes - Luke Jackson, Melbourne
38 votes - Tom Green, GWS Giants
28 votes - Mitch Georgiades, Port Adelaide
14 votes - Justin McInerney, Sydney
11 votes - Errol Gulden, Sydney
Gillon McLachlan
5. Luke Jackson
4. Mitch Georgiades
3. Tom Green
2. James Jordon
1. Errol Gulden
Kevin Bartlett
5. Luke Jackson
4. Tom Green
3. Mitch Georgiades
2. Justin McInerney
1. Trent Rivers
Glen Jackovich
5. Luke Jackson
4. Mitch Georgiades
3. Trent Rivers
2. Tom Green
1. Harry Schoenberg
Andrew Dillon
5. Luke Jackson
4. Tom Green
3. Justin McInerney
2. Errol Gulden
1. James Jordon
Nick Riewoldt
5. Luke Jackson
4. Justin McInerney
3. Mitch Georgiades
2. Errol Gulden
1. Trent Rivers
Jude Bolton
5. Tom Green
4. Luke Jackson
3. Justin McInerney
2. Harry Schoenberg
1. Mitch Georgiades
Chris Johnson
5. Tom Green
4. Errol Gulden
3. Harry Schoenberg
2. Luke Jackson
1. Hayden Young
Cameron Ling
5. Luke Jackson
4. Tom Green
3. Mitch Georgiades
2. Cody Weightman
1. James Jordon
Matthew Richardson
5. Luke Jackson
4. Mitch Georgiades
3. Tom Green
2. Justin McInerney
1. James Jordon
Warren Tredrea
5. Luke Jackson
4. Tom Green
3. Mitch Georgiades
2. Trent Rivers
1. Harry Schoenberg
Kevin Sheehan
5. Luke Jackson
4. Tom Green
3. Mitch Georgiades
2. Errol Gulden
1. Nik Cox
