Throughout September, lions.com.au will be reviewing the seasons of all members of our current playing group. Today we look at one young gun who truly impressed in 2018, Alex Witherden.

#29 - Alex Witherden 

Alex Witherden joined elite footballing company in 2018 by becoming just the 11th man in AFL history to receive two Rising Star nominations.

Witherden received the nod in his 18th AFL game after a stirring performance in the Lions’ first win of the season in Round 9 against Hawthorn. He would ultimately finish third in the race for the 2018 NAB AFL Rising Star.

Witherden was admired for his strong, consistent performances throughout the year. He put his hand up at the start of the season to take on the extra responsibility of kick-outs and was largely successful in getting the ball out of danger.

Some highlights in his second season included 27 disposals and three tackles in Round 5 against the Gold Coast; 29 disposals and two tackles in Round 12’s loss to Essendon and 27 disposals and two tackles in Round 17’s win against the Hawks in Tasmania.

Witherden spoke publicly on the influence Luke Hodge had on his game in 2018. His coach Chris Fagan also commented that his maturity and calmness on field was beyond his 20 years.

He played every game for the season until he injured his hamstring in Round 22’s win over the Gold Coast, sadly ruling him out for the last game of the year against West Coast.

Witherden finished 10th in the Lions' Club Champion count and also received his first Brownlow vote.

Coaches Comment - Murray Davis, Backline Coach

"It was great to see Alex build on his first season, playing 21 games in 2018. An important distributor for us out of the back half and his game against Carlton in Round 16 where he had 31 disposals was a highlight."