PORT ADELAIDE defender Indy Tahau has been nominated as an AFLW NAB Rising Star for Round 10.
Tahau was a rock-solid presence in defence all season, with her intercept marking a prominent feature of her game.
The 20-year-old has played all 10 games in Season 7 and leads the Rising Star pool for intercept possessions, averaging 6.8 per game.
Tahau may have been considered unlucky to miss out on an earlier nomination, however reward for effort finally came after the final minor round.
Collecting eight disposals at 75 per cent disposal efficiency, four marks and three rebound 50s at Alberton on Sunday, Tahau has shown on-field leadership throughout the season among a young backline.
She is the third Port Adelaide player to receive a Rising Star nomination in Season 7, behind Abbey Dowrick in Round 1 and Hannah Ewings in Round 3.
“I’m so excited to be nominated,” Tahau said.
“It’s really cool to be recognised in this way. I have loved my time at Port Adelaide so far and feel like I’m playing some of my best footy at my new club. Loz (Arnell), the other coaches, players and staff all make it such a comfortable and supportive playing environment.
“I can’t wait to contribute to this club in the future and to see what we can achieve next season.”
Tahau joined Port Adelaide after two seasons and a premiership with Brisbane in a bid to return home to South Australia.
Until the age of nine, she lived in the small rural town of Cunnamulla, nine hours west of Brisbane, before her family relocated to the southern suburbs of Adelaide.
Tahau was soon picked up by South Adelaide in the SANFLW and was named best on ground in the 2019 grand final, at just 16 years of age.
Two Rising Stars are nominated each week of the AFLW competition, with Sydney’s Cynthia Hamilton the second nominee from Round 10. Each nominee is awarded $500 from NAB to acknowledge their achievement.
In addition, NAB will award Tahau’s junior club – Happy Valley Football Club – with a $1000 cash NAB Club Recognition Award.
The NAB AFLW Rising Star winner will be announced at the 2022 W Awards with the overall winner awarded $20,000 from NAB and a private banker to assist with securing their financial future.
