Cunningham named Rising Star
The 20-year-old midfielder had 17 touches and a career-high seven marks in the Swans’ 46-point win over the GWS Giants at the SCG Saturday night.
Harry has been very consistent this season playing in one of the league’s best midfields. He has also relished tagging roles against players such as Fremantle’s Stephen Hill, Essendon’s Brent Stanton and North Melbourne’s Brent Harvey.
His season highlights include four goals against the Gold Coast Suns and 22 possessions against Richmond.
His AFL debut in Round One 2012 was his only match that season. His 2013 season was interrupted with injury and he managed just five matches in 2013 including the semi and preliminary finals.
Following a strong preseason Harry has played every match this season.
Swans coach John Longmire said Harry’s speed and versatility has been a welcome bonus for the team this year.
“To be able to come from the rookie list and now be getting the most out of himself is a real credit to Harry,” he said.
“Harry has been able to persist and has had great belief in himself which is terrific.
“He had a fantastic pre-season and he’s a terrific young bloke who has worked really hard at his game.
“It’s a real credit to him and we’re really pleased he’s been able to get the nomination,” Longmire said.
Harry was the Sydney Swans’ 93th selection overall in the 2012 NAB AFL Rookie Draft. He was promoted to the senior list in 2012.
He was recruited from Turvey Park Junior Football Club in Wagga Wagga. He represented NSW/ACT in the 2011 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and attended the 2011 NAB AFL State Draft Combine.
Harry is the Sydney Swans’ first rising star nominee in 2014 and their first since Tom Mitchell in Round 11, 2013.
Following each round of the home and away season, a panel of judges will select a NAB AFL Rising Star nominee. At the completion of the season, one of these nominees will be chosen as the 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star.
The 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star winner will be awarded the Ron Evans Medal and a $20,000 personal investment folio and a dedicated personal banker, courtesy of NAB.
NAB continues to grow the game by recognising the junior clubs that helped foster the early careers of the nominated players. Each of the 23 clubs will receive a NAB Club Recognition Award valued at $2,500, comprising financial and practical resources. Since supporting the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, NAB has donated over $660,000 worth of resources to junior football clubs through this initiative.
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.
NAB has been Footifying Australia since 2002 through the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program which comprises the following elements:
• NAB AFL Rising Star
• NAB AFL Draft
• NAB AFL Draft Combine
• NAB AFL Under-18 Championships
• AFL National Academies
• NAB AFL Under-16 Championships
