Hunter Clark’s selfless performance against the Suns has been rewarded with a NAB Rising Star nomination.

After injuries to both Jimmy Webster and Bailey Rice decimated St Kilda’s already undermanned backline, Clark put his hand up to switch back from the midfield and help his teammates repel the Suns’ relentless attack.

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In just his 10th game of AFL football, the classy 19-year-old was influential in the Saints’ miraculous comeback, surging his side forward from the half-back line and showcasing his elite distribution by foot.

The Dandenong Stingrays product collected 17 disposals at 82% efficiency, including four contested possessions and five intercept possessions in his most damaging senior outing to date.

Clark lifted in the last quarter, along with many of his teammates, finishing with four score involvements and six tackles.


Hunter Clark's elite distribution and run off half-back was crucial for the Saints

Taken at pick No. 7 in last year’s National Draft, Clark shows composure well beyond his years and will be a strong contributor for the Saints for a long time.

Senior coach Alan Richardson was full of praise for the first-year Saint, particularly after the loss of two defenders “unbalanced things”.

“Clark, who’s planning to be a midfielder, goes back, and I thought he was just fantastic for us late,” Richardson said.

“For a young person to have that sort of composure – he laid six tackles – there was a bit in it for the group.”

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Hunter Clark becomes the Saints’ second NAB Rising Star nominee this year after Ben Long’s Round 5 nomination against the Giants.