Cooper Trembath has landed the Telstra AFL Rising Star nomination for Round 4 after a standout performance in North Melbourne’s Good Friday win over Carlton. The young forward’s three-goal effort, plus his work in the ruck, made him one of the biggest influences in the match at Marvel Stadium. The nomination adds another sharp marker to a rapid rise that has already seen Cooper Trembath emerge as a serious attacking threat in his first seven senior appearances.
Three goals, 11 hitouts and a strong finish
The 20-year-old was a constant threat inside 50 and finished with 11 hitouts, showing the kind of versatility that has quickly become part of his game. North Melbourne’s win over Carlton was described as thrilling, and Cooper Trembath was central to that finish with a performance that blended marking power, forward craft and late-game competitiveness.
He has now tallied eight goals for the current campaign, with three of those coming against the Blues. The club has highlighted his high-flying marking as a trademark, and his ability to keep presenting as both a target forward and an emergency ruck option has helped shape his early-season impact.
How Cooper Trembath forced his way through
Cooper Trembath was recruited with pick No. 10 in the 2025 Mid-Season Draft and made an immediate impression late last year. He booted three goals in each of his first three games to close out the season, then carried that scoring touch into 2026. That consistency has made him hard to ignore, especially in a side that has been forced to adapt around him at different times.
His path to AFL level has been built through the Eastern Ranges and Park Orchards, before he pushed his way onto the AFL list through North Melbourne’s VFL program. He also featured for Blackburn last season after being overlooked in his original draft year, a route that underlines the persistence behind the rise of Cooper Trembath.
Coaches and mentors praise his hunger
North Melbourne forward line coach Xavier Clarke said Cooper Trembath has the tools to keep growing at the top level. “If he can keep improving the way he is and we can keep him going, he can be one of the dominant forwards of the competition, no doubt, ” Clarke said.
Blackburn coach Anthony Fagan, who coached him in nine senior games at local level across 2024 and 2025, said his balance of athleticism and competitiveness stood out. Fagan said Cooper Trembath is “a great athlete” with “a very sticky pair of hands, ” while also pointing to his tackling, spoiling and football intelligence.
What the nomination means next
Cooper Trembath becomes the first North Melbourne player to receive a Rising Star nomination this year, a sign of how quickly he has become part of the club’s forward structure. His first seven senior appearances have already produced a clear pattern: strong marking, reliable scoring and the willingness to take on different roles when needed.
The next step is simple enough. If Cooper Trembath keeps producing this mix of goals, contests and adaptability, North Melbourne will have another young player firmly in the spotlight, and the Rising Star nod may only be the start of a bigger run.
