ROUND 9 victors Western Jets and Calder Cannon both boast three representatives in our Coates Talent League Team of the Week, with each competing region represented in an even 24-player squad. See who made the cut, including three unlucky emergencies.
DEFENCE
B: Oscar Ryan (MB) – Arie Schoenmaker (TD) – Jobe Shanahan (BP)
HB: Ethan Williams (SD) – Jovan Petric (WJ) – Kobe Shipp (DS)
This week’s hypothetical defence is a mixed bag of talent and attributes; laying claim to strong intercept markers, dashing rebounders, and accumulators. One of the more surprising names there is Western Jets over-ager Jovan Petric, who showcased his versatility to slot in at centre half-back.
At full back for a second week running is Tasmania Devils superboot Arie Schoenmaker, who was again prominent as his side downed Sandringham. The only player to have more of the ball in that game was Ethan Williams, who earns his spot at half-back.
Murray’s Oscar Ryan is another repeat entrant after holding firm in the Bushies’ loss to Northern, while Dandenong’s Kobe Shipp took it too Bendigo with his run and carry to occupy a flank. Bottom-age marking machine Jobe Shanahan looked natural down back for the opposition, to also feature.
MIDFIELD
FOL: Will Green (NK) – Jake Smith (WJ) – George Stevens (GWV)
C: Jayden Nguyen (CC) – Darcy Wilson (MB) – Tarkyn O’Leary (SD)
It was a tight battle for midfield spots this week, though Player of the Week Darcy Wilson was a lock after his 33-disposal outing against Northern. Knights captain Will Green assumes the ruck role having put together his best game yet, even booting two goals as a forward after half time.
Joining Wilson at the centre bounces are Jake Smith and George Stevens, who add plenty of size and physicality. Smith was huge in Western’s upset win over Eastern, while Stevens put together another strong outing in midfield, before shifting to defence in GWV’s loss to Gippsland.
Though he played on the inside for Sandringham, Tarkyn O’Leary finds a place on the wing, though there is a genuine outside midfielder on the opposite side in Jayden Nguyen. The Calder bottom-ager tore up the expanses of Highgate Recreation Reserve with 30 disposals.
FORWARD
HF: Heath Ollington (TD) – Lachlan Smith (GP) – Zane Duursma (GP)
F: Logan Morris (WJ) – Archer May (SD) – Kayne Rutley (CC)
Talls and smalls alike hit the scoreboard this week, headlined by five-goal haulers Archer May and Kayne Rutley. Western spearhead Logan Morris booted four on his return to the Talent League, a feat matched by Gippsland’s Zane Duursma – one of this year’s top draft prospects.
Duursma’s Power teammate Lachlan Smith comes in at centre half-forward having returned his best game for the season, while Allies squad member Heath Ollington slotted back into Tasmania’s side nicely for 20 touches and 2.5, starting in midfield.
INTERCHANGE
Kynan Brown (OC), Archer Day-Wicks (BP), Harvey Langford (DS)
Luamon Lual (GWV), Josh Smillie (ER), Mahmoud Taha (CC)
EMG: Aleksandr D’Arro (NK), Massimo Raso (WJ), Noah Scott (CC)
There are a few players of interest among our interchange; from father-sons, to NGA products, and emerging bottom-agers. Midfielders Archer Day-Wicks and Josh Smillie are both in the latter category, earning their spots as best afield for their respective losing sides.
Melbourne father-son hopeful Kynan Brown was also busy despite Oakleigh’s heavy loss, with Essendon NGA candidate Mahmoud Taha putting up strong numbers for victors, Calder. Western Bulldogs-tied defender Luamon Lual also did enough to earn a spot, as did Dandenong bottom-ager Harvey Langford.