GIANTS in line for Rising Star honours

Luke HolmesbyAFL.com.au

Greater Western Sydney has capped off its inaugural AFL season with an eighth NAB AFL Rising Star nomination.

Dom Tyson is the eighth Giant to be nominated for the award for his 26-possession game in Saturday’s 28-point loss to North Melbourne at Skoda Stadium.

Tyson joins teammates Jeremy Cameron, Tomas Bugg, Toby Greene, Dylan Shiel, Devon Smith, Adam Treloar and Stephen Coniglio as 2012 NAB AFL Rising Star nominations – setting a new record for the most nominations from one club in one season.

Tyson has battled leg and back injuries for much of the season but has played the last three games of the season for the Giants for a total of 10.

The 19-year-old admitted that the race for Rising Star nominations had become a little competition among the young Giants in their first season.

“There was a bit of friendly banter among the boys. I guess we don’t worry about it too much but it definitely shows the exciting list we have and good depth in the younger players,” Tyson said.

“It shows there are some good times in the near future hopefully.”

The midfielder was drafted with pick three at last year’s NAB AFL Draft behind Jonathon Patton and Coniglio.

Tyson, who was the captain of last year’s TAC Cup Oakleigh Chargers team, is one of several Oakleigh graduates to be plying their trade with the AFL’s newest team.

Tim Golds joined the club as a 17-year-old selection in 2011, while Greene and Adam Tomlinson arrived along with Tyson in the first round of the draft.

Tyson said having his junior teammates along with him for the ride had made it easier to adjust to his new surrounds.

“It definitely helped having those guys come up here. It was obviously great to have those guys here,” he said.

“Now I get along with everyone and having lived with them for a year, you’re around the same area and it certainly helps team unity.”

Tyson played in the Giants’ first AFL game against the Sydney Swans in round one, but has played only 10 matches after a back injury and then a cracked fibula interrupted his season.

Tyson is the only one of the Giants’ eight Rising Star nominees not to sign on with the club beyond 2013.

He said his focus had been to get his body right before any contract discussions.

“I haven’t thought about it too much, I just wanted to get some more games in after my injury mid-year,” he said.

“I haven’t had a serious discussion about it yet; that will probably be happening soon.”