Izak Rankine is only two games into his AFL career and he has already got his coach shaking his head in "disbelief".
The Gold Coast Suns rookie potted two more goals against Sydney on Saturday to go with three majors from his debut last week.
The first of this week's goals was a crafty piece of crumbing around the goalsquare in the first quarter, when the 20-year-old pounced after the ball spilled out of a marking pack and toed the ball over the head of defender Dane Rampe.
Cameras caught Suns coach Stuart Dew scoffing at the display of poise and brilliance from his first-year player.
"It's something he practises," Dew said.
"For any kids out there watching, he doesn't fluke that. He practices those things.
"I guess it was a little bit of disbelief, but I probably shouldn't be surprised, because he can do that."
A shoulder injury to the Suns' other boom rookie, Matt Rowell, has opened up the Rising Star race, with Rankine's first two outings putting him in a good position.
The 2018 draftee's shining debut against Melbourne last week came after a series of setbacks with hamstring injuries delayed his first game.
And already opposing players are keeping a close eye on him, according to Dew.
"It was another four shots on goal [against Sydney]. His presence around the ball is great to watch," he said.
"Certainly, the opposition know where he is. I think Harry [Cunningham] did a pretty good job on him and he's had four shots on goal.
"They ran him down a couple of times and we were encouraging him to keep taking the game on.
"He just looks like he's enjoying his football and so he should, because he's missed a lot and that's the thing he loves. It's exciting for us to see."
