Essendon has its third nominee in the 2001 Ansett Rising Star Award after Mark McVeigh was today named the round 11 nomination. McVeigh follows in the foosteps of Aaron Henneman and Danny Jacobs who have already earned nominations for the prestigious award this season. McVeigh, 21, was the Bombers number nine draft selection in 1998. McVeigh has played every game for the Bombers this season and has filled roles in both the mid-field and as a small forward. He had an excellent game against St Kilda last weekend collecting 16 possessions.

""I'm really pleased to get nominated,"" McVeigh said. ""And it is great for the club to have three players nominated at the halfway mark of the season."" McVeigh said he felt the fact the side was playing good football helped the young players significantly. ""We are surrounded by great players and it really lifts us - we don't want to let them down,"" McVeigh said.