Kurt Tippett from the Adelaide Football Club is the Round Eight NAB AFL Rising Star nominee.

The 21-year-old Queenslander has kicked 13 goals since his AFL debut in Round One. His four goals against Melbourne at AAMI Stadium on Sunday was his best performance.

Standing at 200cm, Kurt was a champion junior basketballer, representing Queensland as a teenager and touring the United Sates with the Queensland Academy of Sport. His future seemed destined for the court when he was made a member of the Brisbane Bullets talent identification squad.

In 2004 Kurt was introduced to Australian football by Ben Merrett, the son of former Brisbane captain Roger. Starting in an AFLQ Independent Schools competition, Kurt quickly graduated to the Southport seniors.

Two years later he played in a Southport premiership and was Adelaide’s second selection, (32 overall) in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft.

Kurt’s first year as an AFL listed player was a challenge suffering neck and shoulder injuries, but after a strong performance in the NAB Cup this year, he has played every match this season.

Adelaide coach Neil Craig said Kurt is quickly establishing his place in the Crows’ forward-line.

“We have been really pleased with Kurt this season and he deserves his nomination. His first season at the club last year was tough because of injuries but his attitude was always good and he set himself to have a strong pre-season, which he did. Kurt still has plenty to learn about the game and he understands that. But it is exciting for the club and our supporters to see him showing some really good signs as a key forward and occasionally in the ruck,” Craig said.

Kurt is Adelaide’s first NAB AFL Rising Star nominee since Brent Reilly in Round 16, 2004.