Tait Mackrill’s determination and resilience has been rewarded with the midfielder named a NAB AFL Women’s Rising Star Nominee for round six on Tuesday.

The on-baller played a key role in the GIANTS’ historic five-point win over Adelaide in Adelaide, collecting a career-high 20 disposals.

In just her second game for 2020 and the fifth AFLW game of her career, the 20-year-old South Australian showed maturity beyond her years in her performance as the GIANTS held on in a nail-biter.

“It’s pretty surreal,” Mackrill said. “Whilst it’s a great individual achievement it comes off the back of a team effort on the weekend. 

“Everyone’s got to play their role, and this just tops off a very good weekend for the club.

“Obviously going back home was a pretty big deal to me, it’s the first time I’ve played at home and the recognition was good, but it doesn’t take away from the team effort on the weekend where something very special unfolded.” 

Selected as a rookie from South Australian side Morphettville Park in the 2017 Rookie Draft, Mackrill didn’t play a game in 2018 but made her debut in round three, 2019.

Mackrill was delisted at the end of the 2019 season, but following an impressive VFL Women’s campaign for the GIANTS she was redrafted with pick 95 of the 2019 NAB AFLW Draft. 

Mackrill also had to overcome a broken ankle suffered during the AFL Sydney finals to make her way back to AFLW level.

“It’s not been smooth sailing for me the last few years in the program, but there’s never been a doubt in my mind just to keep on working hard,” she said.

“Sooner or later the hard work was going to pay off and I think this is just the start of something quite exciting.”

While Mackrill has often credited GIANTS AFLW Coach Alan McConnell with helping her grow as a footballer over the past three seasons, Mackrill has also formed a bond with GIANTS AFL Head Coach Leon Cameron over the past few months.

The GIANTS’ leader offered sage words of advice for the up-and-comer. 

“It’s been good to develop more of a relationship with Leon,” Mackrill said.

“We had a few chats here and there and he’s always got great advice and I always listen. 

“Every time he talks to me, I’m a bit gobsmacked. I’m like, ‘Is Leon really talking to me?’.

“He called me on Friday before the game and he just said, ‘Trust yourself, go out there, play hard’. He’s another person that I want to make proud.”