NURIOOTPA junior Rhys Cannizzaro showed he has what it takes on the state football stage as he took home the Central District under 18 best and fairest award this past fortnight.
The 18-year-old played 11 under 18 games this season, where he averaged 21 touches and six clearances a game.
Cannizzaro also had a taste of senior football with the reserves, playing nine games in the Dogs’ twos.
Despite dominating in the guts for Central, Cannizzaro was shocked to have won the award alongside team-mate Henry McCabe.
“It was good I guess, it was a bit of a shock,” he said.
“My coaches spoke about my consistent play and my consistent ball winning, which was a big x-factor as a part of my game.”
With the Bulldogs welcoming a new coach in Jeff Andrews, Cannizzaro is uncertain if he’ll get some game time on the SANFL stage, but remains hopeful.
“I wouldn’t know to be honest,” he said.
“I’d love to play some senior footy.”
The ex-Tiger junior also thanked Nuriootpa for helping him develop as a player in the early stages of his career.
“They helped a lot, they gave me my first opportunity to play footy and find the love and passion for the game,” Cannizzaro said.
“I’d also like to thank mum and dad and my coaches for helping me along the way.”
Furthermore, he wasn’t the only former Nuriootpa product to take away a best and fairest award from the Dogs’ presentation night, with gun midfielder Jarrod Schiller receiving the Norm Russell Medal as the A-grade best and fairest, while his brother Travis finished as runner-up.
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