Adelaide defender Max Michalanney has been rewarded for his strong performance in the Crows’ win over Carlton with a Round Five NAB Rising Star nomination.

Michalanney was composed in the Crows’ backline, finishing the match with nine pressure acts, 10 disposals at 90 per cent efficiency, four intercepts and four tackles.

The Rising Star nomination caps an outstanding first five games for the 19-year-old.

Michalanney, who joined the Crows via a father-son selection with Pick No.17 at the 2022 AFL National Draft, made his debut in Round One against GWS.

He has lined up in every game since, averaging 3.4 tackles, 11.6 disposals and has shut down some of the competition’s best forwards, including keeping Port Adelaide’s Willie Rioli and Fremantle’s Michael Walters goalless.

The backman is also ranked first among the competition’s rising stars in intercepts per game (6.4), and second for one-percenters per game (3.40).

Michalanney was part of Adelaide’s Next Generation and Father-Son Academy, and played three League games for Norwood in 2022, including the semi and preliminary finals.