Tarni White's inspiring return from injury has been made that much sweeter after snaring the NAB Rising Star nomination for Round 1.
The 20-year-old Queenslander was sensational almost a year on her season-ending knee injury, collecting 20 disposals, nine intercepts and seven marks to guide the Saints to victory over the Bulldogs.
White's tenacity and courage across half-back stood tall from siren-to-siren, particularly late in the game when the Dogs threatened to pinch the four points.
The young defender was told the news by coach Peta Searle yesterday evening, with the announcement met with wild applause and cheers from her teammates.
“I just thought your game on the weekend was outstanding,” Searle said to White.
Your teammates sometimes – probably – don’t like training against you because you compete so hard, but that’s part of making your team and teammates better.
“Your contest and some of the agility that you showed, obviously you just went out there and was focussed to do the best that you can"
White becomes the fourth AFLW Saint to receive the league-wide honour following nominations for Georgia Patrikios (Round 1, 2020), Caitlin Greiser (Round 3) and Olivia Vesely (Round 5).
