Port Adelaide defender Darcy Byrne-Jones nominated for AFL Rising Star
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Port Adelaide defender Darcy Byrne-Jones says being nominated as this week's AFL Rising Star is an honour worth waiting for, but one he is unlikely to celebrate.
The 20-year-old is the Power's first player to receive a Rising Star nomination since Jarman Impey in round eight in 2014.
Byrne-Jones was rewarded for his performance on Saturday in the Power's 45-point win against Melbourne in Alice Springs, which included 23 touches, eight marks and a goal.
"It's obviously a great honour to be nominated, but I just want it to come off the back of playing good footy and good consistent footy for a period of time and that's what it's come off so it's been good," he said.
"I'm not one for individual stuff, it's all about team for me. I just want to go out there and play my role each week and that's what I'm trying to do."
Byrne-Jones has been consistent since his debut against Essendon in round three.
The rugged rebounding defender has averaged 17.8 disposals in his eight games and has endeared himself to Power supporters with his dogged approach to winning the ball.
"I suppose I'm not the most skilful bloke so for me, if I'm going to play AFL footy I've got to be hard, tough, put my head over the ball that sort of thing so that's something I really pride myself on," he said.
Byrne-Jones arrived at the Power at pick 52 in the 2013 AFL Draft as a lightly built teenager.
He has had to be patient to break into the senior side, having spent two seasons playing with the Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL and adding about eight kilograms to his 69kg frame.
"I played about 40 senior games of SANFL footy which has probably helped and guys like Tom Jonas and Jack Hombsch have been really important for me," he said.
"I suppose it's given time for my body to mature and getting used to playing against those bigger bodies and playing with men."
He rated Melbourne's Jeff Garlett as his toughest opponent so far, and the boy who grew up supporting Carlton and idolising Chris Judd and Kade Simpson will have a chance to take on the Blues' bitter rival Collingwood on Sunday, as the Power look to keep touch with the top eight.
"Big game this week against Collingwood. Hopefully we can string two games together and play some consistent footy like we did last week."
Topics: australian-football-league, sport, port-adelaide-5015, sa
