Round 5 Rising Star Nominee’s

After a week off for the seniors, competitions resume this weekend but before doing so we want to recognise our Round 5 Rising Star Nominee’s.

Women’s Round Five Rising Star nominee

Name: Rani Sossai

Club: Wollongong Lions

Age: 16

Position: Rover/ Ruck rover

Jumper Number: 21

Junior Club: N/A

Senior Games Played Before 2019: 14

Favourite activity to do outside of football: Eating, if that counts as an activity

What is one thing that we don’t know about this Rising Star that they are well known for around the club? Annoying Little Miss Chatterbox

What role do they play for the club both on and off the field? I hope to be known as the fun one

The night before the game what will they most likely be doing? Eating and then probably some more eating

Do they have any pre-game superstitions? I don’t even know what that is

Reason for nomination: Rani was as tenacious as ever in the Wollongong Lions Round 5 win over Bomaderry Tigers. In a highly physical affair, she was dominant in the midfield from start to finish, with the opposition finding it difficult to tame her vivacious style of play. As a result of her effectiveness in contests and the run and carry she provided, Rani was deemed best on ground in a game between two of the top teams. She is highly deserving of a rising star nomination.

Club comment: Rani is well-known around the Wollongong Lions Football Club for the high level of energy she brings to games every week. In 2018, she polled in the top 10 for the inaugural Maddy Collier medal, which was reflective of her improvement throughout the season. By season’s end, she was a key player in the WLW midfield and she is only improving further in 2019. Exciting things ahead for one of the more vocal young footballers in the region!

League comment: Rani was a late addition to the inaugural Women’s Representative side who played AFL Hunter Central Coast last weekend and what a good decision that was as Rani was clearly one of the best on ground on the day. Her work ethic and determination were on show and her attack at the football played a key role in AFL South Coast getting back into the contest in the second half of the game. We look forward to Rani’s progression this year and believe she has the potential to go a long way with her football.

 

Men’s Round Five Rising Star nominee

Name: Brendan Cabor

Nickname: B

Club: Shellharbour City Suns

Age: 17

Position: Half Back Flank

Jumper Number: 9

Junior Club: Shellharbour Swans

Senior Games Played before 2019: 1

Favourite activity to do outside of football: Surf club / Surfing

What is one thing that we don’t know about this Rising Star that they are well known for around the club? Cramps Frequently

What role do they play for the club both on and off the field? Player & Friend

The night before the game what will they most likely be doing? Stretching and eating a good meal

Do they have any pre-game superstitions? Listen to music, stretch & drink lots of sports drinks.

Club Comment: Brendan missed the first two games of the season with a family holiday but since coming back to Premier Division he has given us a lot of run off half back and isn’t afraid to take the opposition on with his pace. We have earmarked Brendan as one of our juniors that will take the Club forward in the near future and after debuting last year Brendan is going from strength to strength. Brendan’s strong start to the season is a result of a big off season where he benefited from his work at surf club and also preseason training where he won most endurance tests that we carried out. Coach Michael Coate will be hoping Brendan keeps improving and hopefully one of his brothers will be joining him in the Seniors soon…

 

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