Zac Williams from Greater Western Sydney is the round-19 AFL Rising Star nominee.

Playing off a half-back flank in just his eighth AFL match, Williams was a key contributor in Saturday’s 37-point home win over Melbourne.

The 18-year-old from Narrandera in regional NSW collected 21 possessions in the Giants’ first win of the season.

Williams has continued to impress in his debut senior season after being selected with pick No.54 at last year’s Rookie Draft and is the first graduate of the Giants academy.

He is the third GWS Rising Star nominee this year, following on from Lachie Whitfield in round 10 and Adam Tomlinson in round 17.

Head Coach Kevin Sheedy said Williams was thoroughly deserving of his recognition.

“Zac Williams is a fantastic story. A young indigenous lad from the Giants’ zone in the Riverina who has come through the Slater & Gordon Giants Academy and has been promoted from our rookie list this year to play senior football,” Sheedy said.

“He is not only able to find the ball but he has terrific game sense and has provided us with a lot of run and shown he is more than capable at this level with his performances this year and particularly the last two weeks against Collingwood and Melbourne.”

Williams was elevated from the rookie list in April, shortly after injury ended Jonathon Patton’s season, and was called up for his AFL debut against Gold Coast just two days later.

He is the sixth player from the Riverina to debut for the Giants in 18 months and grew up playing rugby league before turning his hand to Australian football.