Gold Coast SUNS Academy member Harry Simington has been awarded the Round 17 Tribal Sport NEAFL Rising Star nomination. 

The 19-year-old kicked four goals against the Lions at Metricon Stadium as the SUNS lost a close encounter by 12 points.

After returning to the NEAFL after nearly 12 months off due to injury in Round 13, Simington has booted seven goals in four games whilst averaging 13 disposals and seven marks in his role as a key forward.

The Coomera and Labrador junior – who made his NEAFL debut in 2016 - said he is relishing his return to senior football as the SUNS continue to fight for a place in the NEAFL finals. 

“There are a lot of good players who have setbacks, and if there is one thing you can draw from that, is that a couple of injuries here and there isn’t the end of it,” he said.

“I think we have a really exciting team and I’m so glad that I’m back out there and getting picked each week to play my role.

“The boys have been really supportive, especially being out for so long. It’s a really encouraging environment.” 

Simington joins fellow Under-19 Academy squad member Brodie Foster as Gold Coast’s nominees for the award this year.

The Tribal Sport NEAFL Rising Star is awarded to the most promising young talent in the NEAFL competition.

Nominees must be under the age of 21 and played less than 20 senior games (excluding games as AFL Academy players) at the start of the 2018 season