Tiger's dream debut rewarded with Rising Star nodTravis King
afl.com.au
April 6, 2015 7:58 PMKAMDYN McIntosh's memorable debut has reached fairytale proportions, with the Richmond midfielder named the round one NAB AFL Rising Star nominee.
On the eve of his 21st birthday, McIntosh celebrated his first senior game by playing an instrumental role in the Tigers' 27-point win over arch-rival Carlton in the season-opener at the MCG on Thursday night.
The West Australian, who had to wait until his third season at Punt Road to make his debut, gathered 23 touches – eight contested – took nine marks and booted a crucial goal to ignite his teammates' surge to victory.
With the Blues in control and on top by 21 points midway through the second term, McIntosh burnt off his idol Chris Judd, roved a marking contest and split the big sticks from 40m.
It was the turning point for the Tigers, who piled on seven unanswered goals to set up the round one triumph in front of 83,493 fans.
"I'm pretty rattled that I played as good as I did," McIntosh said post-match.
"I've always dreamt of something like this and to play in front of a crowd like that. I was pretty nervous at the start.
"Growing up I barracked for Carlton. To play on Juddy – I idolised him as a kid growing up when he was at West Coast and then when he changed to Carlton – so to line-up on Juddy was a pretty big thrill."
Making the occasion even more special was that McIntosh's family – including three-month old nephew, Kobi, who he had never met - travelled to watch the match.
"I ended up getting nine tickets, but I still had four siblings who didn't come over," said the Pinjarra product, who received the Rising Star news while at dinner with his relatives on Monday night.
"I've got six sisters and two brothers. Then I got my parents to come over too. It was good fun."
McIntosh, who was the 31st pick in the 2012 draft, said his debut felt like a long time coming after shoulder surgery derailed the latter part of his 2013 season.
He then had his appendix removed and battled a foot stress fracture last year.
"My first year didn't go the way I wanted it to … pretty much my whole second year I didn't play a whole lot of footy," he said.
"But then I had a full pre-season this year, up and going, (with) no injuries so I feel like I was pretty ready for it."
The 192cm winger, who played soccer until he was 15, is Richmond's seventh Rising Star nominee since coach Damien Hardwick took the reins in 2010.
He follows in the footsteps of Dustin Martin, Reece Conca, Jake Batchelor, Dylan Grimes, Brandon Ellis and Nick Vlastuin.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-04-06/tigers-dream-debut-continues
