By Tara Murray
Former Greenvale and Taylors Lakes speed machine Hugo Garcia bounced back from being subbed out the week before to being named the AFL rising star nominee for round eight.
Garcia was subbed out before half time in St Kilda’s round seven game but on Friday night against Fremantle he was one of the stars in his side’s big win
His 19 disposals, 10 tackles and a goal earned him the rising star nomination.
Becoming a mainstay in the St Kilda engine rooms, Garcia has featured in all eight of the Saints’ hit outs in 2025.
“Hugo is a relentless competitor with the work ethic to match. It’s been great to watch his growth and progress over his first two-seasons so far,” Saints football executive general manager David Misson said.
“As a second-year player, we’ve loved seeing his buy in to what we’re building as a team, and how best he can play his role in that system.”
“We congratulate Hugo on earning the rising star nomination for this week and look forward to seeing him keep building on what’s been a promising start to his career.”
The 19-year-old joined St Kilda via pick 50 in the 2023 AFL draft after the club traded up in the order to nab the Calder Cannons prospect, who has gone on to play 17 senior games to date.
He was drafted from Greenvale in the Essendon District Football League, having also played junior football at Taylors Lakes.
