By NEAFL MEDIA
Canberra full-back Alex Paech has become the fourth Demons player to be awarded a Tribal Sport NEAFL Rising Star nomination this season after impressing against Aspley on Saturday.
The 19-year-old, who stands at 196cm and 105kg, was among the Demons’ best players in their 33-point victory after playing a shut-down role on former Brisbane forward Jono Freeman.
A former member of the GIANTS Academy, Paech grew up in Walla Walla in country New South Wales where he played for the Murray Bushrangers in the TAC Cup from 2016-17.
He was a member of the Under-18 Allies squad last year before being recruited to the Canberra Demons, and has played every match so far.
Paech said it was the persistence of playing-coach Kade Klemke which lured him to the club as he continues his quest to reach the elite level.
“It was really encouraging knowing how much he (Klemke) wanted me to come and play for him,” he said.
“It’s great that you have that opportunity to play against good NEAFL players, but good AFL players as well in this competition. It’s great that Kade has that confidence in all of us.
“It (AFL) would be a dream come true. If I ever got the opportunity I’d take it with both hands.”
Paech joins teammates Mitch Maguire, Angus Baker and Mitch Hardie as Canberra’s nominees for the award.
The Tribal Sport NEAFL Rising Star is awarded to the most promising young talent in the NEAFL competition.