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'Absolute joke': AFL world erupts over 'disgraceful' controversy

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read
Isaac Quaynor and Lachlan Sholl, pictured here in action in the AFL.
Isaac Quaynor and Lachlan Sholl in action in the AFL. Image: Getty

Players and fans were left gobsmacked on Tuesday night when Adelaide Crows youngster Lachlan Sholl wasn’t nominated for the AFL Rising Star award.

Sholl was best on ground for the Crows in their upset victory over Carlton on Sunday, and many thought he was a shoe-in for the round’s Rising Star nomination.

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However Collingwood’s Isaac Quaynor got the nod instead.

Quaynor was immense for the Magpies in their win over Gold Coast and was very deserving of the nomination.

However many thought Sholl was more deserving.

Crows veteran Taylor Walker slammed the snub of Sholl as an “absolute joke”, saying he was “absolutely flabbergasted”.

“Can someone please explain to me why Lachlan Sholl missed out on something today,” Walker wrote on Twitter.

Fellow Crows players Brodie Smith and Tom Doedee also questioned the decision, while Brisbane Lions player Mitch Robinson said selectors may have “got the rounds mixed up”.

“I really rate Isaac no doubt he’s going to be a star BUT my man was BOG ... what is going on here?!” Smith tweeted.

Doedee added: “Hang on. Hold up. Wait a second. There’s something wrong here. Correct me if I’m wrong, but that doesn’t say Lachlan Sholl...”

Mystery surrounds Rising Star nominations

Each round a rookie player is nominated for the Rising Star award, with an overall winner announced at the end of the season.

While there has always been some confusion about how each round’s nomination is awarded, Fox Footy reports the nominations reflect a player’s overall season rather than performances in an individual round.

Sholl, 20, had 24 disposals, 19 kicks, two goals, eight score involvements, three clearances, five inside 50s and 627 metres gained as the Crows shocked the Blues.

He is ranked above the AFL average for inside 50s, total clearances and stoppage clearances, while he is ranked elite in centre clearances.

Quaynor had 17 touches and two score involvements in Collingwood’s win over the Suns on Monday night.

The 20-year-old is ranked above the AFL average for handballs, tackles, disposal efficiency and intercept possessions.

“It’s always a nice little box to tick off,” Quaynor said on AFL 360 on Tuesday night about the nomination.

“I guess you see your peers winning them and you want to see your name up there as well, so it was good to get a bit of recognition.”