Callum Mills from the Sydney Swans is the 2016 NAB AFL Rising Star.
Mills won the award with 49 votes ahead of the Western Bulldogs’ Caleb Daniel (41) and Carlton’s Jacob Weitering (26).
He received the Ron Evans Medal, a $20,000 personal investment folio and a dedicated personal banker, courtesy of NAB, at a function in Melbourne today.
The 19-year-old adapted his game to play across half-back after starring in the midfield as a junior. The results have been impressive. He averaged 19 disposals and five marks in 20 games in his debut AFL season. He had 20 or more touches eight times.
Mills won his nomination in Round 16 of the Toyota AFL Premiership Season with a 23-disposal, six-mark and one-goal performance in Sydney’s 38-point win over the Geelong Cats.
Mills was the first player to attract a bid under the AFL’s bidding system introduced last year. He was selection three in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft after the Swans matched Melbourne’s bid using their number 33, 36, 37 and 43 selections to move up the order and secure him.
Of the 2016 rising star nominees, Mills was ranked first with 70 rebound 50s. He was ranked second in both kicks (219) and marks (101) and third in disposals (387) and contested possessions (129).
Mills is the third Sydney Swan to win the award, following Adam Goodes (1999) and Daniel Hannebery (2010).
Mills was recruited from the North Shore Bombers and the Mosman Swans. He was the first player to be drafted in the top-10 from metropolitan Sydney.
He played rugby union from the age of seven through to 13, with the Swans Academy being the major influence in his decision to switch to Australian Football.
His grandfather, Ray Mills, played WAFL for Perth Football Club in the 1960s.
Mills was a member of both the Level One and Level Two NAB AFL Academy squads.
Mills represented NSW/ACT in the 2014 and 2015 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. He was named an Under-18 All-Australian in 2014 and was the Alan McLean Medallist for the best Division Two player at the 2013 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships.
Sydney Swans coach John Longmire said Mills has been a great addition to the Swans’ side.
“Callum has been sensational this season. He’s strong at the ball, he’s really courageous and he’s a smart decision-maker with a mature approach to footy,” he said.
“To come in as a first-year player and move into the halfback role – a position he had never played in his entire career – it’s really just a fantastic achievement.
“He has been outstanding addition for us this year and we’re really looking forward to watching Callum grow and develop, because we know he’s got a big future ahead.”
NAB CEO, Andrew Thorburn, congratulated Callum Mills and commended each of the 2016 NAB AFL Rising Star nominees on their outstanding seasons.
“Callum is an exciting football talent, with clear ambition and drive. The hard work he has put in every day to become better is an inspiration for all of us, especially young footy players.
“At NAB, we are proud to support footballers at all levels, from NAB AFL Auskick to the big stage – and to help the stars of tomorrow realise their potential on and off the field. We look forward to following Callum’s career in the future,” said Mr Thorburn.
The NAB AFL Rising Star is voted by the All-Australian selection panel: Gillon McLachlan (chairman), Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Mark Evans, Danny Frawley, Glen Jakovich, Cameron Ling, Matthew Richardson, Warren Tredrea and Kevin Sheehan (NAB AFL Rising Star Award only).
2016 Voting
Callum Mills 49 Sydney Swans
Caleb Daniel 41 Western Bulldogs
Jacob Weitering 26 Carlton
Darcy Parish 19 Essendon
Darcy Moore 9 Collingwood
Christian Petracca 2 Melbourne
Jade Gresham 2 St Kilda
Clayton Oliver 1 Melbourne
Lachie Weller 1 Fremantle
Gillon McLachlan
5 – Callum Mills
4 – Caleb Daniel
3 – Jacob Weitering
2 – Darcy Moore
1 – Christian Petracca
Kevin Bartlett
5 – Callum Mills
4 – Caleb Daniel
3 – Jacob Weitering
2 – Darcy Parish
1 – Clayton Oliver
Luke Darcy
5 – Callum Mills
4 – Caleb Daniel
3 – Jacob Weitering
2 – Darcy Parish
1 – Darcy Moore
Mark Evans
5 – Callum Mills
4 – Caleb Daniel
3 – Jacob Weitering
2 – Darcy Parish
1 – Darcy Moore
Danny Frawley
5 – Callum Mills
4 – Caleb Daniel
3 – Darcy Parish
2 – Darcy Moore
1 – Jade Gres ham
Glen Jakovich
5 – Callum Mills
4 – Caleb Daniel
3 – Darcy Parish
2 – Jacob Weitering
1 – Lachie Weller
Cameron Ling
5 – Caleb Daniel
4 – Callum Mills
3 – Jacob Weitering
2 – Darcy Parish
1 – Jade Gresham
Matthew Richardson
5 – Callum Mills
4 – Caleb Daniel
3 – Jacob Weitering
2 – Darcy Parish
1 – Darcy Moore
Warren Tredrea
5 – Callum Mills
4 – Caleb Daniel
3 – Jacob Weitering
2 – Darcy Moore
1 – Darcy Parish
Kevin Sheehan
5 – Callum Mills
4 – Caleb Daniel
3 – Jacob Weitering
2 – Darcy Parish
1 – Christian Petracca
The NAB AFL Rising Star is part of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfil their dream of playing in the AFL. The NAB AFL Rising Stars Program comprises the following elements:
NAB AFL Rising Star
NAB AFL Draft
NAB AFL Draft Combine
NAB AFL Trade Period
NAB AFL Under-18 Championships
NAB AFL Academy
NAB AFL Under-16 Championships
NAB has been supporting footy from grassroots to the elite level since 2002.
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