Player Watch #3: Harry Sheezel - 23 AFL RS/NM SBM, AFLPA BYP, '24 AA squad, '24 AFLCA BYP

[tazaa]

FULL VOTES: North young gun named Rising Star for 2023

Harry Sheezel has capped off a record-breaking season for a first-year player by being crowned the AFL Rising Star

www.afl.com.au

FULL VOTES: North young gun named Rising Star for 2023​

Nathan Schmook

5–6 minutes

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Harry Sheezel has capped off a record-breaking season for a first-year player by being crowned the AFL Rising Star


YOUNG North Melbourne defender Harry Sheezel has been crowned the 2023 AFL Rising Star.

Sheezel, who was a hot favourite for the prestigious award, was honoured as the best young player in the game at the AFL Awards on Wednesday night.


He edged a strong field of contenders that included Brisbane midfielder Will Ashcroft, St Kilda forward Mitchito Owens and Fremantle sharpshooter Jye Amiss.

Sheezel picked up 54 of a possible 55 votes; 10 of the 11 voters gave Sheezel the full five votes, with former Collingwood skipper Nathan Buckley selecting Owens ahead of Sheezel.

All 11 judges had Sheezel, Ashcroft, Owens and Amiss in their top four.

Darcy Wilmot, George Wardlaw, Max Michalanney and Finn Callaghan also picked up votes.

Sheezel, who was recruited with pick No.3 in the 2022 AFL Draft out of the Sandringham Dragons, played all 23 games and was a crucial distributor off half-back for the Kangaroos with his class, temperament, and skill.

The 18-year-old, who played junior football with Ajax Junior Football Club and Mount Scopus College, is the first North Melbourne player since Byron Pickett in 1998 to win the award.

He averaged a massive 27.0 disposals in his debut year and 5.2 rebound 50s playing in the previously unfamiliar role, having entered the AFL as a forward/midfielder.

Sheezel made his debut in round one and had the most disposals for a VFL/AFL player on debut in more than 40 years, racking up 34 touches against West Coast.

He collected more than 30 touches in four of his first five appearances, including an equal season-high 37 against Carlton in round four, to rocket onto the AFL scene.

Ashcroft spent time as Rising Star favourite this season but missed the last five weeks with a knee injury, while Owens (25 goals) and Amiss (41) enjoyed excellent seasons as important goalkickers for their teams.

Sheezel was the panel's choice, however, after an extraordinary debut season that saw him rate elite for disposals, contested possessions, uncontested possessions and pressure points as a defender.

The 2022 NAB AFL Rising Star Voting:
1st place – Harry Sheezel (54 votes)
2nd place – Will Ashcroft (39 votes)
3rd place – Mitchito Owens (33 votes)
4th place – Jye Amiss (28 votes)
5th place – Darcy Wilmot (4 votes)

Gillon McLachlan (Chair)
5. Harry Sheezel
4. Mitchito Owens
3. Will Ashcroft
2. Jye Amiss
1. Darcy Wilmot

Eddie Betts
5. Harry Sheezel
4. Will Ashcroft
3. Mitchito Owens
2. Jye Amiss
1. George Wardlaw

Jude Bolton
5. Harry Sheezel
4. Will Ashcroft
3. Jye Amiss
2. Mitchito Owens
1. Max Michalanney

Nathan Buckley
5. Mitchito Owens
4. Harry Sheezel
3. Will Ashcroft
2. Jye Amiss
1. Finn Callaghan
Kane Cornes
5. Harry Sheezel
4. Mitchito Owens
3. Will Ashcroft
2. Jye Amiss
1. Max Michalanney

Andrew Dillon
5. Harry Sheezel
4. Will Ashcroft
3. Mitchito Owens
2. Jye Amiss
1. Finn Callaghan

Glen Jakovich
5. Harry Sheezel
4. Will Ashcroft
3. Jye Amiss
2. Mitchito Owens
1. Max Michalanney

Laura Kane
5. Harry Sheezel
4. Will Ashcroft
3. Mitchito Owens
2. Jye Amiss
1. Darcy Wilmot

Cameron Ling
5. Harry Sheezel
4. Jye Amiss
3. Will Ashcroft
2. Mitchito Owens
1. Darcy Wilmot

Matthew Pavlich
5. Harry Sheezel
4. Jye Amiss
3. Will Ashcroft
2. Mitchito Owens
1. Finn Callaghan

Kevin Sheehan
5. Harry Sheezel
4. Will Ashcroft
3. Mitchito Owens
2. Jye Amiss
1. Darcy Wilmot

Nathan Buckley is a f***ing worm

 

[LB2Snake]

Some fairly disgusting comments making the rounds on Twitter regarding Harry and his religion.

That's appalling

 

[DocSholl]

Prob a hot take but Stewart is the best defender of the last 10 years imo

Wouldn't be far off, he's a freak.

 

[KangaRooster]

Nathan Buckley is a f***ing worm

Can just see him running into Nick and giving a him a wink, saying "Unanimous".

 

[Friday Night Lights]

Most of our senior players wouldn’t have career highlights packages that could match the one Harry assembled in his first.

Thinking about how ridiculous the one where we had the forward 50 stoppage and Howard is saying “watch out for Sheezel here” and he sharks it and snaps a goal. A kid who had been playing back flank all year had the commentator anticipating how dangerous he’d be and he delivered right on cue. Just silly stuff.

 

[Ashley B]

Here you go Nafan just to let you know

 

[Masked Avenger]

Those of us that follow the nags, Harry's a Group 1 horse. Pure and simple.

As with horses, no tangible reason why some players are comfortably better than others - they just are.

We need a few more.

 

[DarwinRoo]

Sheez winning Rising Stars and Dolly’s trivia in the same night.

 

[Samsquanch]

Could be an interesting year for RS next year for us. Wardlaw and Brayden George as well as potentially Sanders*, pick 2 and pick 3*.

Ssshhh!

Don't get the opposition too excited.

 

[The Dingrel]

Nathan Buckley is a f***ing worm

Love Eddie Betts, putting George in with his handful of appearances..... Love Harry saying he's looking forward to presenting the award to George Wardlaw next year.

 

[The Dingrel]

Most of our senior players wouldn’t have career highlights packages that could match the one Harry assembled in his first.

Thinking about how ridiculous the one where we had the forward 50 stoppage and Howard is saying “watch out for Sheezel here” and he sharks it and snaps a goal. A kid who had been playing back flank all year had the commentator anticipating how dangerous he’d be and he delivered right on cue. Just silly stuff.

Yeah, AND in context of that and this time last year when we were speculating we'd pick up the Sheez when we thought we were getting a forward.......does that change people's thinking on Watson in this years draft as a NEED? When we also have Brayden George coming in, + growth of Ford and Curtis. Personally think all we just need better faster ball movement inside 50, and better pressure when the opposition get it.......Wardlaw resting forward anyone?

 

[DarkPhoenix]

It's actually sad the amount of oppo supporters who have tried to cheapen Harry's win by making up ridiculous reasons why he shouldn't have got it.

I get it, your bloke was good too. But Harry had an absolutely ridiculous year.

 

[hotchilli]

It's actually sad the amount of oppo supporters who have tried to cheapen Harry's win by making up ridiculous reasons why he shouldn't have got it.

I get it, your bloke was good too. But Harry had an absolutely ridiculous year.

It always brings out the worst in fans. All of the top 4 had a great year and I’d love to have any of them.

 

[zoomba23]

It's actually sad the amount of oppo supporters who have tried to cheapen Harry's win by making up ridiculous reasons why he shouldn't have got it.

I get it, your bloke was good too. But Harry had an absolutely ridiculous year.

Don't even know why you'd bother looking at those comments. I can just imagine some of the vile shit being said. Better to nestle safely here in our cocoon of North nuffies than venture anywhere else imo

 

[Northball]

Just watched this on Facebook and was going to repost here, but knew I could count on you as always GR.

Hard to articulate how special Harry really is, but I’d say it’s very important to to build around this young man. He just embodies humility and with himself (and George) as the nucleus of our young brigade you can sleep easy knowing standards would be high and we’d have an extremely mature core of young men.

He’s infectious to listen to and gives Cunners a run for his money with just how humble he is. Extraordinary leadership qualities here for an 18y/o. You can’t help but respect him.

 

[Garibaldi82]

Plonk this superstar on a wing for the next 15 years and be done with it.
He has a massive tank already and it'll only get better.
Will still be able to provide run out of the back 50 whilst having plenty of opportunity to deliver inside forward 50 and hit the scoreboard.
Could be one of the best end to end players in modern history.
A faster Sidebottom with better skills.

 

[LB2Snake]

Plonk this superstar on a wing for the next 15 years and be done with it.
He has a massive tank already and it'll only get better.
Will still be able to provide run out of the back 50 whilst having plenty of opportunity to deliver inside forward 50 and hit the scoreboard.
Could be one of the best end to end players in modern history.
A faster Sidebottom with better skills.

Massive Harry fan here, but he’s possibly faster than Sidebottom now, but not peak Steele is he? Then Sidebottom probably the most skilful kick in the game, off both sides. Think Harry has the ability to match Steele, but think underselling Sidebottom there.

 

[Garibaldi82]

Massive Harry fan here, but he’s possibly faster than Sidebottom now, but not peak Steele is he? Then Sidebottom probably the most skilful kick in the game, off both sides. Think Harry has the ability to match Steele, but think underselling Sidebottom there.

More of a hope based on how Harry is tracking.

 

[Warlord69]

Plonk this superstar on a wing for the next 15 years and be done with it.
He has a massive tank already and it'll only get better.
Will still be able to provide run out of the back 50 whilst having plenty of opportunity to deliver inside forward 50 and hit the scoreboard.
Could be one of the best end to end players in modern history.
A faster Sidebottom with better skills.

Let him play 70/30 forward mid so he can win 20+ and kick a goal+ every week

 

[JeffLynnesBeard]

Oh my! Harry Sheezel on Cheezel | Hayley Savage Art

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

Let him play 70/30 forward mid so he can win 20+ and kick a goal+ every week

Having both he and Thomas averaging 20+1 is going to be huge next year.

 

[DuckYeah]

Congratulations Harry! 2023 Syd Barker. What a player.

 

[Grogg]

Congratulations Harry! 2023 Syd Barker. What a player.

Can't really see him losing given his ridiculous consistency.

Probably our best ever debut season.

 

[DuckYeah]

Can't really see him losing given his ridiculous consistency.

Probably our best ever debut season.

Impossible for him to lose it from here. Its a bit of a slap in the face to all our other players to be completely honest. A first year player comes in and shows more talent in his little toe than all the rest.

 

[giantroo]