Brisbane Lions midfielder Bradd Dalziell is the Round 21 AFL Rising Star Nominee.

The 21-year-old was among the Lions' best players in their narrow loss to Carlton at the Gabba on Saturday night.

He finished the match with a team-high 32 disposals and was a catalyst of Brisbane's dominant nine-goal third term with 12 touches.

Dalziell burst onto the scene with a record 32 possessions in his AFL debut against West Coast in Round 16.

He has played every match since, averaging more than 26 disposals a game.

A fourth round selection (pick 52 overall) for the Brisbane Lions in the 2007 draft, Dalziell was overlooked by clubs in the 2005 and 2006 drafts.

He played the 2007 season with East Fremantle in the WAFL and was voted their best player throughout the finals series.

Lions coach Leigh Matthew said Dalziell had an ability to read play and get into position quickly.

"He has been incredible in his ability to link up and get to the right spots when we need someone to run into space," Matthews said.

"You need to be an extremely talented endurance athlete to keep getting into spots that other people can't get to because they are too tired."

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