Fremantle forward Mikayla Morrison has earned herself a NAB AFLW Rising Star nomination just three games into her AFLW career, after a stunning three goal performance against Carlton at Fremantle Oval on Saturday afternoon.
 
Morrison was a spark in the forward line for Fremantle, kicking the team’s first goal of the match with a skilful intercept tight on the boundary line as she ran into an open goal to finish the play.
 
The 19-year-old only seemed to grow in confidence from there, kicking two more goals for the match while also running through the middle for Freo to finish her game with 13 touches and five tackles.

Morrison was excited to receive the Rising Star nomination after making her return to playing again in 2022.
 
“After missing the whole of my first season, to make a comeback this season feels very good,” Morrison said.
 
“Some games it falls your way and some it doesn’t so I was fortunate to get on the end of a few on Saturday.
 
“I’ve always had confidence in my skills and my tackle pressure, it was just the fitness side of things that I needed to improve.”
 
It’s been a tough journey for Morrison after an interrupted start to her AFLW career which saw her miss the majority of her draft season due to appendicitis, but the forward says she has now got herself to the level required to play AFLW footy.
 
“After getting out of hospital, my fitness was not where it needed to be, and ever since then I’ve had to really work on it and keep on building,” Morrison said.
 
“It wasn’t until we were in Melbourne in the hub where I finally hit my personal best time for the 2km time trial, and everything was just up from there.”
 
After spending some time through the midfield on Saturday, Morrison says she’s also looking forward to adding more consistency to her game towards the back end of the season.

“I really enjoyed having some time in the middle, I found it really fun especially after getting into the game more and picking up a few touches.
 
“My focus now is to keep getting more games in and find consistency with my form, but I feel pretty comfortable at the level right now."
 
It is the first time in the Club’s history that Fremantle have had two Rising Star nominations within the same AFLW season, with young defender Sarah Verrier securing a nomination for her performance in round four.
 
Morrison has been nominated alongside Ellie Hampson from the Gold Coast Suns as the two NAB AFLW Rising Star nominees for round six.
 
All AFLW players born in 2001, 2002 or 2003 and who have not previously been nominated as a Rising Star qualify for consideration for the award.
 
The winner of the NAB AFLW Rising Star award will be announced at the 2022 W Awards later in the year.