Speedy Western Bulldogs defender Bailey Hunt and Adelaide midfielder Ebony Marinoff are the first nominees for the inaugural NAB AFL Women’s Rising Star award.

Hunt, 20, was part of the Bulldogs’ defence that shut down Fremantle at Whitten Oval. She collected nine disposals, laid three tackles and had two clearances in the 32-point victory. 

Despite being relatively new to football, Hunt was selected at No.60 in the 2016 NAB AFL Women's Draft. Her speed means she can play on a variety of opponents. 

She played 15 matches for Melbourne University in the VFL Women's competition last year, including the losing Grand Final against Darebin. Hunt played at junior level for Montmorency JFC in Melbourne’s north-east.

Marinoff and Hunt are the first of 14 AFLW players aged 21 and under to be nominated for the award (two after each round), with the winner to be announced after the AFLW season.

The AFL also confirmed NAB had extended its support of women’s football and would sponsor the NAB AFL Women’s Rising Stars Program, which includes the Rising Star award, NAB AFL Women’s Draft, NAB AFL Women’s Draft Combine, NAB AFL Women’s Under-18 Championships and NAB AFL Women’s Academy.