Former Calder Cannons defender Tahlia Gillard has been rewarded for her dominance in Melbourne’s backline with an AFLW rising star nomination.
Gillard along with Sydney’s’ Sofia Hurley were on Monday named the rising star nominees for round nine.
Gillard was pivotal across defence in Melbourne’s 41-point victory against Essendon.
Gillard played on Bonnie Toogood for the majority of the game, keeping the Bombers co-captain goalless.
She has played on several of the competition’s best forwards this season, including current league-leading goalkicker Jesse Wardlaw and last season’s leading goalkicker Ashleigh Woodland.
The 190cm defender has played all nine games this season, averaging 3.8 intercept possessions per game.
Demons coach Mick Stinear praised Gillard and her teammates in defence following their win on Sunday.
“Tahlia Gillard – who’s been a key defender as an 18-year-old all season – I thought she’s been outstanding,” he said.
“I thought the back five or six did a really good job of limiting their scoring opportunities… that backline is continuing to grow.”
Gillard was drafted with pick 42 in the 2021 NAB AFLW draft from the Calder Cannons.
She played junior football with Moonee Valley and Essendon Doutta Stars football clubs in the Essendon District Football League.
Joining the Demons in July last year, Gillard has quickly developed into a pillar of Melbourne’s backline.
She debuted for the red and blue in round eight of season six and went on to play two more games in her first campaign.
She has played every game this season.
