The Gold Coast SUNS Trent McKenzie is the Round 17 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee.

Playing on the wing and in the midfield, the 19-year-old gathered 21 possessions and eight marks in the GC SUNS third win of the season over Richmond in Cairns last Saturday.

Trent made his AFL debut in Round Two and has now played 14 matches.

Trent is the fourth GC SUNS to be nominated for the rising star this year following Brandon Matera in Round Five, Zac Smith in Round Seven and David Swallow in Round 14.

Gold Coast SUNS coach Guy McKenna said Trent is already very popular with the GC SUNS supporters.

“Trent is a beauty. He has the power, speed and now is demonstrating a work rate to compete consistently at an AFL level.

“He has demonstrated on a number of occasions this year that he is an exceptional kick and for a player so early into his AFL career to have the crowd watch with anticipation whenever he gets the ball is quiet remarkable,” he said.

Trent played under-age football with the Williamstown Juniors in suburban Melbourne. He then played with the Western Jets before joining the GC SUNS in 2010 as a 17-year-old access selection. He played 16 matches with the Gold Coast in the VFL last year.

He was a member of the 2008 AIS-AFL Academy intake and represented Vic Metro in the 2010 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships.

Following each round of the home and away season, a panel of judges will select a NAB AFL Rising Star nominee. At the completion of the season, one of these nominees will be chosen as the 2011 NAB AFL Rising Star.

The 2011 NAB AFL Rising Star will receive a personal investment folio and a dedicated personal banker, courtesy of NAB.

NAB will recognise the junior clubs that helped foster the early careers of the nominated players. Each of the 24 clubs will receive a NAB Club Recognition Award, a package of practical and financial resources designed to assist them in developing future champions.

The NAB AFL Rising Star is the pinnacle of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfil their dream of playing in the AFL.

The NAB AFL Rising Stars Program provides recognition and a clearly identifiable direction for a player's career, and comprises the following elements:

· NAB AFL Rising Star
· NAB AFL Draft
· NAB AFL Draft Combine
· NAB AFL Under 18 Championships
· AIS-AFL Academy
· NAB AFL Under 16 Championships