HAVING broken into Fremantle's forward line in its run to the finals, Matt Taberner can now add another notch to his emerging career after winning the round 22 NAB AFL Rising Star nomination.
The tall forward gathered 22 possessions and kicked a goal in the Dockers' win over the Brisbane Lions on Sunday, which came just a week after he returned to the club's forward group.
The 21-year-old, who has played 10 games in two seasons with Fremantle, was pleased with the recognition for his breakout game.
"It definitely helps personally with the pressure the other forwards apply and the midfielders give us a lot of opportunities," Taberner told AFL.com.au.
"It was a pretty complete game, personally. I thought I pressured all right, I ran pretty hard and as a forwards group we were really consistent through the game."
After four games in his debut season last year, senior opportunities have arisen for the former rookie this season with the long-term absence of Scott Gumbleton and Kepler Bradley, who recently announced his retirement.
The 197cm prospect played four games earlier this season before returning to the side in round 21 for the Dockers' win over Hawthorn, where he took six marks and kicked a goal. It led to an even better showing against the Lions.
"It was pretty good game to be a part of [against the Hawks] and I was thrilled to contribute," he said.
"I did take a lot of confidence out of that game playing against the best, which Hawthorn have been over the last few years.
"I've been given a few opportunities, which has been good. I'm just trying to bring that consistency to my football."
Taberner has taken the long road to this point. Overlooked in the first year he was eligible for the NAB AFL Draft, he was spotted playing for the Murray Bushrangers and Victorian country club Myrtleford by the Dockers.
They picked him as a 19-year-old with their first selection at the rookie draft at the end of 2012, and has quickly developed, put on almost eight kilograms and continued to use his running base.
The finals are just two weeks away, but he says he hasn't taken his place in the line-up for granted.
"We do have a lot of competition for spots at this time of the year which is obviously pretty good for the team," Taberner said.
"I guess everyone's a little bit on notice with that. I just need to keep producing for the team and working well in the forward group. And what comes of that we'll see."
