THE FIRST eight games of James Jordon’s AFL career couldn’t have gone much better.

He has an undefeated record at the top level and a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination to his name, earning the honours for his Round 8 performance against the Swans.

The 20-year-old’s Saturday night outing was impressive on the attack and in defence, with a career-high 23 disposals and 13 contested possessions, to accompany his 28 pressure acts and eight tackles.

Recruited from Yarrawonga with pick No.33 in the 2018 National Draft, Jordon has shown enormous development in his time with the club.

And despite having to wait until his third season to make his senior debut, his work rate behind closed doors never wavered, allowing him to finally cement his position in a talented Dees’ midfield this year.

Jordon becomes the second Demon to be nominated for the Rising Star Award in 2021, after Luke Jackson was recognised for his efforts against North Melbourne one week earlier.