Hawthorn midfielder Shane Savage earns the AFL's Rising Star nomination for Round 8 after a career-high 26 disposals against St Kilda.
''Shane has stepped up this year and has injected a great deal of pace, energy and footy nous into the team,'' Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said.
''His long, penetrating kick and ability to find the goals has been a great feature of his game and he has been a valued and consistent performer in 2011."
Savage says he has been working hard over the summer on his strength and endurance which has paid off this year.
"It was my aim to play the best I can and it was good that I have been getting my confidence out there and getting the rising star nomination is a by-product of the way I've been going out there," Savage said.