The 20-year-old wingman started 2005 on the rookie list before being promoted late in the season. He ended the year with seven senior games and showed great promise as a speedy forward capable of playing in the midfield.
Young was picked up by the Hawks with pick number 18 in the 2004 rookie draft. He has played for the Wimmera club of Minyip-Murtoa and was a North Ballarat Rebels representative, where he kicked 25 goals in 15 games in the year he was eventually drafted.
To clinch his nomination, Young collected 24 possessions and took 13 marks against Richmond at Aurora Stadium– his best performance in the eight games he has played this year.
"It was probably my best game," Young said.
"I was quite fortunate because Richmond were dropping a man into our defence and I was left alone on the wing so I got quite a few touches by myself.
"That's when I can play my best footy, when I can run and kick long so I like to do that, for sure."
Young, who played the first seven matches of the season before missing four games through form and injury, said his goal now was to hold down a place in the senior line-up for the rest of the season.
Certainly his Rising Star nomination gives him plenty of leverage.
"I came back last week and I needed to play well because I knew a lot of players would be coming back into the team this week, so it was good to play a good game," he said.
Against the Magpies in round two, he had 17 possessions and took 11 marks, and in round six he enjoyed 16 disposals and again took 11 marks.
Young paid credit to senior coach Alastair Clarkson for giving him the opportunity to show what he's got to offer the Hawks.
"He's given me a lot of game time the last few games so hopefully I can repay that with some good touches."
The Hawks have a fine history when it comes to the Rising Star – Lance Franklin, Jordan Lewis and Jarryd Roughead were all nominated last year while Sam Mitchell (2003) and Nick Holland (1995) are both previous winners.
