MELBOURNE defender Colin Garland's rising star nomination has been greeted as a rare bright spot in a poor season for the Demons.

The 20-year-old, who had played just two senior games before this year, has performed well on some of the AFL's best, including Lance Franklin, Nick Riewoldt and Alan Didak.

While Garland did not rate his job on Brisbane Lions spearhead Daniel Bradshaw as one of his best in the Demons' upset one-point win last round, coach Dean Bailey said the nomination was a fitting reward for hard work.

"Colin works particularly hard and he's got a real inner determination in him, which has just come to the fore more and more as the weeks go by," Bailey said.

He is Melbourne's second Rising Star nominee this year, following Austin Wonaeamirri in round 7.

Meanwhile, Bailey said star half-forward Aaron Davey's voluntary confession of misbehaviour could be a step towards him becoming a leader at the Demons in future.

AAP