NAB AFL Rising Star award: round 14

McMahon, playing in his fifth AFL match and just his second in a forward role, kicked two goals against the Tigers on Sunday at Telstra Dome and picked up 18 disposals.

"A few of the players were telling me on Monday morning and I thought they were just mucking around. I thought there was no way I'd win it," McMahon told afl.com.au.

"When [coach] Dean [Laidley] told me, it was a bit of a shock. We had our review and Dean was up there talking, and he said that I'd got it in front of everyone. I think I went a bit red.

"The boys were all pretty happy. They congratulated me and everything.

"It's a good achievement, but I'm just happy to be playing good footy. The team is winning and I'm playing my role."

A former basketballer, McMahon spent two years on the club’s rookie list before starting his senior career in round eight against Carlton, playing three games in defence.

"He's been slowly coming along over the last three years, and that's why we elevated him," Laidley said.

"He played on the wing and in the midfield for Tassie last year, and I think he finished third or fourth in the best and fairest.

On returning to the side in round 13 McMahon was moved into attack.

With four goals in two weeks he has surprised his coach with how fast he's adapted to the new role.

"I think he's up in the top couple in our runs, our Princes Park time trials and that sort of stuff, so he's got wonderful endurance,” Laidley said.

"What probably has surprised me is how well he's gone in the forward line."

McMahon joins the following nominees for this year’s NAB AFL Rising Star award:

Paddy Ryder (Essendon), Cameron Wood (Brisbane Lions), Tom Hawkins (Geelong), Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood), Joel Selwood (Geelong), Ricky Petterd (Melbourne), Jess Smith (Kangaroos), Shaun Higgins (Western Bulldogs), Mitch Clark (Brisbane Lions), Bryce Gibbs (Carlton), Shannon Hurn (West Coast), Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide) and Marty Clarke (Collingwood).