Geelong speedster Cory Gregson is the latest player to be nominated for the Rising Star award, claiming the Round 6 gong.
Playing just his sixth senior game, Gregson collected 18 disposals, five inside 50s and kicked three goals in the Cats’ upset win over Collingwood on Friday night.
Nice work Cory Gregson. The @GeelongCats 18-year-old is the @NAB AFL Rising Star nominee! #footify pic.twitter.com/d4n0LmukuI
— AFL (@AFL) May 11, 2015
The small forward has played every match in his debut season – averaging 14 disposals across his six matches – with his 21-disposal, five-inside 50, and two-goal effort against the Suns in Round 3 another highlight.
The 175cm speedster made his debut as the sub in Round 1 this season after being selected with pick 47 in the 2014 national draft, hailing from Glenelg in the SANFL and Sacred Heart College in Adelaide.
The 18-year-old – who bears a resemblance to former Cats premiership speedster David Wojcinski – runs and carries the ball well, possesses good skills, and looks lively when the ball’s in his area.
Gregson was a promising junior gymnast for a decade before he quit to concentrate on his AFL dream. As you can see in the video below, his extraordinary gymnastic skills haven’t deserted him.
WOW! Watch new Cat Cory Gregson practice his goal celebration for 2015 at the gym! #Mightyhttps://t.co/0EDaNABQyF
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) January 7, 2015
Gregson is the first Cat to be nominated for the Rising Star since George Horlin-Smith in Round 4, 2013 and the Cats’ 27th Rising Star nomination since the award’s inception in 1993.
The club has registered just one winner – skipper Joel Selwood in 2007.
RISING STAR NOMINEES FOR 2015
Round 1 – Kamdyn McIntosh (Richmond)
Round 2 – Mitch Honeychurch (Western Bulldogs)
Round 3 – Isaac Heeney (Sydney Swans)
Round 4 – Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
Round 5 – Adam Saad (Gold Coast SUNS)
Round 6 – Cory Gregson (Geelong)