A STAR on the rise.

Maddy Prespakis has officially been crowned the 2019 NAB AFLW Rising Star after a simply outstanding year in the Navy Blue.

Prespakis was the raging favourite heading into the W Awards to take home the honour, bursting onto the scene after being taken with pick No.3 in the 2018 NAB AFLW Draft.

The 18-year-old went onto average 20 disposals, 11 contested possessions and five clearances per game, leading all comers in Navy Blue for the season.

While her form on the field spoke for itself, it was a truly gratious Prespakis who accepted the award on Tuesday night, thanking her teammates, family and friends for the support they have provided her during her football journey.

“I’m extremely humbled to have won it, there were 13 other girls that were well worthy to win this award," said Prespakis

“It’s just another accolade for hard work. That’s sort of what I strive on, my hard work.



“I’ve got a lot of people to help me along the way, and I’m very honoured to have won it.”

Two of our superstars take home AFLPA awards.



Find out how the girls polled. #BoundByBlue — Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) April 1, 2019

Her consistency from her debut to the Grand Final was her strong suit, collecting 19 or more disposals in seven games.

She became one Carlton’s prime movers in the middle of the ground, belying her young age to have a big impact on games as the Blues surged towards a Grand Final.

The opportunity to play for Carlton is nothing short of a dream come true for Prespakis, who is one of the 'new age' of female footballers, able to take advantage of the new pathways afforded to them by the growth in popularity of the AFLW.

“Debuting was one of the best days of my life, I’ve always dreamed of it since I started playing footy when I was four," said Prespakis

“Through football, you face a lot of challenges and things like that. When I started playing with the boys, my hardest part was probably leaving the boys and not knowing where to go after that.

“My Dad was coach at that time, and it was a pretty emotional time, but then I went on and started playing girls footy.

“So a whole new pathway and didn’t know what to expect. Once the AFLW came sort of came underway and I just looked at all the boys I played against and said to them ‘I have an opportunity now’.



“Here us girls are being fortunate to play AFLW.”

Earlier in the night, her season was acknowledged with a spot in the Virgin Australia All-Australian side, alongside teammates and Kerryn Harrington. On Monday, she was also recognised by her peers as the runaway leader in the AFL Players AFLW Best First Year Player award.

Historically, Prespakis becomes the first Blue to win the Rising Star award across either the AFL or AFLW competitions.

2019 NAB AFL Women’s Rising Star Voting



Madison Prespakis (Carlton) 49

Alyce Parker (GWS Giants) 39

Olivia Purchell (Geelong Cats) 20

Sabreena Duffy (Fremantle) 17

Danielle Ponter (Adelaide Crows) 13

Eden Zanker (Melbourne) 7

Jordyn Allen (Collingwood) 3

Jacqui Yorston (Brisbane Lions) 2



