World News – UA – Dockers’ Serong named AFL Rising Star

Fremantle midfielder Caleb Serong became the Dockers’ third rising star after winning the AFL’s best young player award, edging Noah Anderson of the Gold Coast

Last year’s No8 draft pick, Serong polled 48 votes to finish nine without Anderson – who was selected second by the Suns

Serong is the first Fremantle Star Rising winner since Rhys Palmer in 2008, with Paul Hasleby in 2000

Midfielder Serong received the maximum of five votes from eight of the 10 judges, Kevin Bartlett and Chris Johnson giving Anderson their top honors

Serong, 19, rose to prominence in the eighth round, capturing 22 possessions and scoring one goal in a head-to-head duel with Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield

Most of the hype for the rising star up to this point had been around Gold Coast midfielder Matthew Rowell, but last year 1 draft pick played just five games after requiring surgery to shoulder and he did not vote

Serong was 16 on average 8 disposals and 34 clearances in his 14 games, combining with young players Adam Cerra and Andrew Brayshaw to support Brownlow’s two-time medalist Nat Fyfe

A huge factor in the Dockers’ impressive end to the season, Serong has improved over the season racking up 25 possessions, a career-high in Fremantle’s last home and away game against the Western Bulldogs

« My biggest goal at the start of the year was to play AFL football and make my debut, ideally to keep my place on the team, » said Serong

« I think I set a few downtime goals for myself right at the start and once I made my debut I didn’t want to give up my place on the team »

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has paid tribute to Serong for his superb breakout season and is excited for what’s to come

« It is his competitiveness and the strengths he brings to the table that has given us the confidence as a group of coaches to give him these challenges, » said Longmuir

« He prepared very well for a challenge, did his homework and was able to perform most of the time

« He’s had a great year and we look forward to seeing a lot more of him in the years to come »

Fremantle Football Club, AFL Rising Star, Australian Football League, Gold Coast Football Club, All-Australian Team