North Melbourne’s Harry Sheezel has been crowned the 2023 AFL Rising Star.

Sheezel received 54 out of a maximum 55 votes to become the first Roo to win the award since Byron Pickett in 1998.

The 18-year-old played all 23 games in his debut campaign after being selected with pick No.3 in the 2022 AFL Draft.

Sheezel, who was drafted from the Sandringham Dragons and played his junior football with AJAX in the South Metro Junior Football League, quickly showed his class and versatility upon his arrival at Arden St.

Originally brought into the club as a forward, he was deployed at half-back by coach Alastair Clarkson for his Round 1 debut in a bid to use his foot skills, smarts, temperament and class to set up the Roos.

The move paid off, as Sheezel captured the attention of the AFL community – including the Rising Star selectors – with a game-high 34 disposals, nine marks and 631 metres gained.

His 34 disposals were also the most disposals by a debutant in 32 years and placed him third overall for the most disposals recorded by a first-game player behind Greg Williams (38) and Dean Greig (39).

Sheezel continued to be a consistent and calming presence off half-back throughout the season with an average of 27 disposals, 5.4 marks and 441.8 metres gained per game, and dazzled with glimpses of his ability at the opposite end too.

He finished the season with a total of 622 disposals at 77.8 per cent efficiency, setting a new record for the most disposals in a debut V/AFL home and away season in the process.

Sheezel was also recognised by his peers for his outstanding first season, receiving the AFL Players Association’s Best First Year Player Award.

2023 AFL Rising Star Voting

1st place – Harry Sheezel (54 votes)
2nd place – Will Ashcroft (39 votes)
3rd place – Mitchito Owens (33 votes)
4th place – Jye Amiss (28 votes)
5th place – Darcy Wilmot (4 votes)

Gillon McLachlan (Chair)
5. Harry Sheezel
4. Mitchito Owens
3. Will Ashcroft
2. Jye Amiss
1. Darcy Wilmot

Eddie Betts
5. Harry Sheezel
4. Will Ashcroft
3. Mitchito Owens
2. Jye Amiss
1. George Wardlaw

Jude Bolton
5. Harry Sheezel
4. Will Ashcroft
3. Jye Amiss
2. Mitchito Owens
1. Max Michalanney

Nathan Buckley
5. Mitchito Owens
4. Harry Sheezel
3. Will Ashcroft
2. Jye Amiss
1. Finn Callaghan

Kane Cornes
5. Harry Sheezel
4. Mitchito Owens
3. Will Ashcroft
2. Jye Amiss
1. Max Michalanney

Andrew Dillon
5. Harry Sheezel
4. Will Ashcroft
3. Mitchito Owens
2. Jye Amiss
1. Finn Callaghan

Glen Jakovich
5. Harry Sheezel
4. Will Ashcroft
3. Jye Amiss
2. Mitchito Owens
1. Max Michalanney

Laura Kane
5. Harry Sheezel
4. Will Ashcroft
3. Mitchito Owens
2. Jye Amiss
1. Darcy Wilmot

Cameron Ling
5. Harry Sheezel
4. Jye Amiss
3. Will Ashcroft
2. Mitchito Owens
1. Darcy Wilmot

Matthew Pavlich
5. Harry Sheezel
4. Jye Amiss
3. Will Ashcroft
2. Mitchito Owens
1. Finn Callaghan
 
Kevin Sheehan
5. Harry Sheezel
4. Will Ashcroft
3. Mitchito Owens
2. Jye Amiss
1. Darcy Wilmot