Rd 2 NEAFL Rising Star Nominee: Bailey Stewart

Sydney University recruit Bailey Stewart has been awarded the Round 2 NEAFL Rising Star nomination after an eye-catching performance for the Students on Saturday.

In his second game for his new club, Stewart collected 22 disposals (50 per cent contested), eight clearances, four tackles, four inside 50s and three goals in the Students’ 83-point victory over NT Thunder.

A talented soccer player at junior level, Stewart captained New South Wales in both futsal and outdoor soccer before switching permanently to Australian football when he was snapped up by the Sydney Swans Academy.

He was a member of the Swans’ U19 Academy squad last year, earning a NEAFL Rising Star nomination in Round 8 in a season where the inside midfielder played in 18 matches, including the Grand Final loss against Southport.

A regular at the top of the Swans Academy’s endurance tests, Stewart is one player who seems to get better with age.

Joining the Students this year, the 19-year-old is a versatile midfielder who is known for hitting the scoreboard, and his work ethic and professionalism are two of his greatest assets.

The NEAFL Rising Star is awarded to the most promising young talent in the NEAFL competition.

Nominees must be under the age of 21 and played less than 20 senior games (excluding games as AFL club academy players) at the start of the 2019 season.