World News – UA – Serong named 2020 Rising Star

Rising Star winner Caleb Serong admitted making a second preseason during coronavirus shutdown and losing 5kg for his brilliant first season in the AFL

Serong was crowned the winner at a virtual award ceremony on the Gold Coast as he continued 14 days of quarantine in Perth

The 19-year-old midfielder became Fremantle’s third Rising Star winner after Paul Hasleby (2000) and Rhys Palmer (2008)

Serong (48 votes) collected the best votes from eight of the 10 judges to win from Noah Anderson (39) of Gold Coast and Max King (28) of St Kilda

The Victorian product, taken from No8 in last year’s national draft, has become part of the Dockers’ premier setup and has averaged 17 disposals over 14 games while keeping his eyes on some of the biggest stars of the AFL

Serong, who lost 5kg after weighing 88kg in last year’s draft, said the two-month stoppage turned out to be a blessing in disguise

« I don’t know if I could have played the soccer I played if I hadn’t had that little extra pre-season, » he said

« The feedback from JL (coach Justin Longmuir) was that I just needed to get in a bit more shape and work on my save spread

« I went back to Victoria and worked really hard with my two younger brothers They were with me every run and every gym session

« I came back a few pounds lighter, in better shape and felt really ready to go »

He watched last night’s awards show from home with his roommates Sam Switkowski, Lloyd Meek and Jarvis Pina

« I was half asleep when he called me and I didn’t really know what to think But it was a nice way to wake up, sure, » he says

No1 Draft Pick Matt Rowell did not receive a single vote from the judges, despite securing 10 perfect votes as the best on the coaching field in three of his four full games

Judges reportedly decided Rowell’s little job was not enough to be a candidate Rowell will be eligible to win it again next year

Serong, who has played with and against Rowell since the age of 12, predicted Rowell would storm the AFL again next season

« He dominated at the start of the year and I was almost in awe of what he was doing in those first games, » he said.

« I have a lot of empathy for him But I have no doubt that he will come back better than ever next year

« I can’t wait to compete against him next year and hope to have many more battles in the years to come »

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