North Melbourne’s Harry Sheezel has been nominated as the AFL Rising Star for Round 1 after an outstanding debut against West Coast at Marvel Stadium last Saturday.
Harry Sheezel of the Kangaroos celebrates with fans after winning the round one AFL match between North Melbourne Kangaroos and West Coast Eagles at Marvel Stadium, on March 18, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
The 18-year-old, selected with pick No.3 in the 2022 AFL Draft, made a splash in the Kangaroos’ thrilling five-point win over the Eagles. Playing off half-back, Sheezel racked up a game-high 34 disposals, nine marks, and 631 metres gained.
Sheezel’s 34 disposals are the most by a debutant in 32 years and place him third overall for the most disposals recorded by a first-game player, behind Greg Williams (38) and Dean Greig (39).
Initially recruited from the Sandringham Dragons as a forward, North Melbourne senior coach Alastair Clarkson revealed that the talented draftee may spend more time at half-back this season. “He is a pretty special talent for us,” Clarkson said, praising Sheezel’s “class.”
Sheezel played his junior football with AJAX (Australian Jewish Amateur Association), a Jewish football club in the South Metro Junior Football League.
Harry Sheezel is the 31st North Melbourne player to receive a Rising Star nomination since the award’s inception.
