Essendon phenom Nik Cox receives long-awaited AFL rising star nomination

Essendon young gun Nik Cox has finally been rewarded for an excellent debut season with an AFL rising star nomination after his performance against Richmond.

The No.8 pick in last year's draft has widely been considered the best of a bright bunch of first-year players, but had not yet been nominated for the rising star award.

However, the 19-year-old finally received his recognition after a 23-disposal, one-goal performance in the Bombers' Dreamtime loss to Richmond in WA.

Cox joins Sydney trio Errol Gulden, Braeden Campbell and Chad Warner, as well as Lachlan Sholl, Mitch Georgiades, Jacob Koschitzke, Luke Jackson, James Jordon and Cody Weighman as the players to be nominated for the rising star award so far this year.

The 200cm wingman has appeared in all 12 of Essendon's matches so far, averaging 13.2 disposals per contest, while also kicking eight goals.

MORE TO COME