Daniel went to the Dockers this year after winning Campbelltown’s best and fairest in the under 18s last season.

However, he was recruited to the Balmain Dockers first grade team this season and has been an instrumental player for them despite being only 17 years old and doing his HSC at Parkes High.

Dan trains with the Parkes Panthers and drives to Sydney each weekend to play in the first grade Sydney AFL competition.

Daniel was part of the Northern Heat squad (that included other Central West AFL players) that played earlier in the year in the NSW ACT State under 18s zone trials at Coffs Harbour.

Daniel stands at 190cm, is 94kg and plays at centre halfback or fullback for the Balmain Club.

He has been put on some former greats of the game including former Swan Troy Luff who plays for Uni of NSW.

In that game, Daniel held Luff to one goal, three behinds.

His strong performances down the back have seen him get into Balmain’s top six best players on six occasions this season.

Dan has also had to play against his older brother Edward (who also followed this pathway from Parkes) and now plays for the East Coast Eagles.

The Eagles won both encounters when they met but the brotherly ‘love’ was out the window when they were pitted against each other during the games.

The Sydney AFL Rising Star will be announced at the Phelan Medal vote count for the best and fairest at a dinner at Darling Harbour after the preliminary final has been played.