DEFENDER Molly Brooksby has credited Port Adelaide’s coaches for backing in young talent, following her recognition as the AFLW’s Week Five Telstra Rising Star.

Brooksby became the second Port Adelaide player this season to receive a nomination after teammate Shineah Goody’s nod in Week 1.

Having debuted in the first game of the season, Brooksby has featured in all six games since, growing in stature and confidence since.

Her kick-outs and intercept marking have become a feature of her game.

Speaking to portadelaidefc.com.au, Brooksby spoke about what being nominated for the Rising Star Award means to her, how her soccer background has held her in good stead in top-flight footy and her pride in the way her side fought through a difficult congested part of the fixture to pick up a win against Carlton on Sunday.

Molly Brooksby on winning the Week 5 Telstra AFLW Rising Star nomination:

“It's great to get the recognition, obviously, but (I) definitely, don't play for these sorts of awards. (I) always play for the team, and it's great to get the win on the weekend. That's what we play for. But, it is great to get the (nomination). And thanks to all my teammates and everyone in the program that that's helped me.”

Molly Brooksby on the young players at the club doing well:

“Obviously with (Shineah) Goody at getting nominated at round one, she's an absolute star. And I had full faith that she would get that round one. She's been an absolute star for us since, and all the other young girls as well, Piper (Window) scoring her first goal (on the weekend). But I think (the coaches) just trust us, and they have full faith in our abilities. That just gives us full confidence, and, you know, they give us a role to do, and it gives us full confidence in our abilities, knowing that they trust us.”

Molly Brooksby on how her soccer background has helped with her move into the AFLW:

“Kicking has definitely always been my strength. I came from a soccer background, so that foot skills kind of transferred. Taking kick outs is a huge responsibility, but I'm very grateful to be recognised as that's one of my strengths and something I can bring to the team.”

Molly Brooksby on working hard on intercept marking as a defender:

“The past few weeks, my marking has been something I've implemented into my game, which I'm pretty happy about. (It’s) just something that I wanted to work on during the pre-season and obviously, being a defender, it's something you need to focus on and being able to compete in the air and halve a contest is really important. (It’s) definitely not something I learned from soccer. But it’s thanks to all the coaches. They're not only giving me feedback each week, but they're out there on the track, helping me and giving me vision and education, which has been just insane, just something I've never gotten previously, and I'm very grateful for that.”

Molly Brooksby on playing three games in nine days but winning against Carlton:

“We had three pretty big games, and we were all pretty gassed, but obviously we've had a great strength and conditioning team and coach, and we did our preparation during pre-season, so we knew that we were able to take on the game and take on the load of the three games. I'm happy to get the win. That was amazing. But now just looking forward to West Coast.”

Molly Brooksby on Justine Mules-Robinson ahead of the stand-in captain’s milestone 75th AFLW game this week:

“Juzzy is a one-of-a-kind player and person. She's this amazing person in general. Just hasleadership that she brings and her enthusiasm and charisma. She's just an elite human and an elite player. And yeah, we love having her in the team. I know me in particular, and all the other young girls and every player on the team, really look up to her.”