Witherden 's draft year started off strongly in 2016 , he was named the captain of the Geelong College 1st XVIII football team after an impressive season in 2015 . Witherden played two Academy games and two Falcons games where he averaged 23 disposals and five marks per game in the TAC Cup , playing mostly as a skilful defender . While playing for Geelong College in early May , they were losing by about 90 points , as Witherden was sick before the game so he was just playing forward however he then decided put himself into the midfield for a centre bounce . He broke his leg after a tackle from fellow AFL prospect Tim Taranto who was playing for St Kevin 's . Witherden 's leg was in an awkward position and Taranto came down on it with his full body weight , Alex was in severe pain and had to be stretchered off the ground . He broke one of the bones in his right leg in four places , cracked another one and tore the syndesmotic ligaments , which connect them . The injury meant Witherden would finish the most important year of any junior footballer having played just two games of TAC Cup , he was also forced to miss the Under 18 National Championships , the Under 18 All Stars match and was in doubt for the National Draft Combine , where he received an invitation . Witherden focused on his rehab , he rode an electric scooter around school as it was the best way to keep weight off his leg , he also hit the Geelong Falcons gym after dropping down to 75 kg during his injury , his weight improved to 80 kg and improved his diet , cutting down on his favourite , McDonald 's frozen Coke plus ate less bread . Where at one time he would have three or four sandwiches in his lunchbox , he then would opt for a chicken salad . He took advice during the setback from fellow draftee and friend Jy Simpkin , who broke his right leg a month earlier and Geelong Cats player Darcy Lang who suffered a similar injury . He was drafted by Brisbane with pick 23 in the 2016 national draft . He made his debut in the loss to at the Gabba in round 14 of the 2017 season . After the thirty-one point loss to at Etihad Stadium in round 17 , in which he recorded twenty-eight disposals and four tackles , he was the round nominee for the 2017 AFL Rising Star
2017 AFL Rising Star
2017 AFL Rising Star
Alex Witherden