NAB AFL Rising Star: round 11

MATTHEW Kreuzer from the Carlton Football Club is the Round 11 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee.

Kreuzer kicked three goals in the fourth quarter at AAMI Stadium on Sunday night, playing a key role in the Blues’ come-from-behind win over Port Adelaide.

His move to full-forward in the final term, when the Blues were trailing by 30 points, proved to be pivotal to the outcome of the match.

Kreuzer has played nine games, following his debut in round three. His strength, agility and maturity playing as a ruckman or in key positions, are highlights of his game.

Carlton took Kreuzer as the number one (priority) selection at the 2007 NAB AFL Draft after a stellar junior career, which included graduating from the 2005 AIS-AFL Academy Squad, and being named Vic Metro’s MVP and All-Australian after the 2007 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships. Kreuzer also won the Northern Knights’ best and fairest and the TAC Cup’s best and fairest award - the Morrish Medal.

Kreuzer is from the Bundoora Football Club in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

Carlton Coach Brett Ratten said Kreuzer’s first few months at AFL level have been outstanding.

“Matthew has continued to impress during his debut season. His ability to play in numerous positions has been of enormous benefit to the team. For a player to have had such an impact on a game so early in his footy career is a rarity,” Ratten said.

“He is a level-headed kid, mature beyond his years, and a real pleasure to coach.”

Kreuzer becomes Carlton's first player to be nominated this year, and joins Bachar Houli (Essendon), Josh Hill (Western Bulldogs), Rhys Palmer (Fremantle), Kieren Jack (Sydney), Ben McKinley (West Coast), Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn), Austin Wonaeamirri (Melbourne), Kurt Tippett (Adelaide), Garrick Ibbotson (Fremantle), and Nathan Brown (Collingwood) as contenders.