Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith is the Round 9 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee.

Smith was recruited by the Bulldogs with pick seven in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft, and has made an immediate impact in his first season in red, white and blue.

The 18-year-old made his AFL debut in round one in a win against the Sydney Swans, and has played all nine matches this season.

A product of the East Malvern Knights, Xavier College and the Sandringham Dragons, Smith has averaged 17.4 disposals – at greater than 80 per cent efficiency – and 3.9 tackles per AFL match.

He overcame an Achilles injury throughout the pre-season to feature for a half in both JLT Community Series matches, before earning a round one call-up.

A strong performance against one of the competition’s best midfields earned Smith his NAB AFL Rising Star nomination.

Against the ladder-leading Geelong Cats, the teenager collected a career-high 28 disposals at 89.3 per cent efficiency, plus five clearances and three inside-50s.

A panel of judges selects the NAB AFL Rising Star nominee for each round of the home and away season, with a winner named as the 2019 NAB AFL Rising Star at the completion of the season.

The winner is awarded the Ron Evans Medal, a $20,000 personal investment folio and a dedicated personal banker, courtesy of NAB. 

Smith’s junior club, the East Malvern Knights, will receive a NAB Club Recognition Award valued at $2500, comprising financial and practical resources, as a result of his Rising Star nomination.