The debut season of former Calder Cannon Amy Gaylor is going strength to strength with the Essendon defender nominated for an AFLW rising star.
Gaylor was nominated for her performance against Sydney in round six as the Bombers won by three points.
The emerging 18-year-old provided a calming presence in the Bombers’ back six and finished with 15 disposals, four tackles, three marks and 353 metres gained as her side held on for a tight victory under the lights at Whitten Oval.
She backed it up with 11 possessions at 90 per cent efficiency in the Bombers second round six clash against the Gold Coast Suns.
Gaylor spent most of the pre-season training as a forward.
Bombers coach Natalie Wood praised the impact and temperament of the teenager, who’s made a promising impression in her first year.
“Amy’s been absolutely fantastic, especially for a player in her first season,” she said.
“She’s really slotted into our defence well and I’m honestly not sure I’ve come across a first-year player who’s been at the level so consistently and been this equipped to play the first five or six games of a season.
“It’s brilliant to see her keep growing. She’s a cool, calm and collected type but she’s also really diligent and an astute learner, traits that I’m sure will hold her in good stead.”
Gaylor played her junior footy with Strathmore and was taken by Essendon as a pre-expansion signing ahead of the 2023 draft.
She becomes the first Bomber this season and just the fourth in history to be nominated for the Rising Star after teammate Paige Scott as well as Amber Clarke and two-time nominee Stephanie Wales.
