AFTER posting the highest winning margin in Round 17 (57 points), Dandenong Stingrays boast a high of four representatives in our Coates Talent League Team of the Week. The region’s standout performer, Elwood Peckett leads our hypothetical 24-player side – see who else made the cut!

DEFENCE

B: Max Roney (TD) – Matt Whitlock (MB) – Xavier Taylor (ER)
HB: Lachie Jaques (GF) – James Barrat (BP) – Asher Eastham (GP)

In a rare instance this season, six different teams are represented across the backline. A pair of swingmen dominated the airways in losing sides to take up the key position posts, namely Murray’s Matt Whitlock (24 disposals, 11 marks) and Bendigo’s James Barrat (21 disposals, nine marks).

At the opposite end to Barrat, Geelong Falcons co-captain Lachie Jaques continued his excellent run of form with 23 disposals, seven marks and six rebound 50s to slot in at half-back. Likewise, Tasmanian Max Roney racked up 31 touches, six marks and six rebound 50s to be a repeat selection.

Joining Whitlock and Roney on the last line is Eastern interceptor Xavier Taylor, who reeled in six grabs to be a resolute part of the Ranges’ win over Western. Gippsland’s Asher Eastham also fared well in his continued defensive venture, producing strong aerial efforts in his side’s loss to GWV.

MIDFIELD

FOL: Joe Pike (GF) – Christian Moraes (ER) – Nash King (CC)
C: Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves (DS) – Elwood Peckett (DS) – Tobie Travaglia (BP)

Player of the Week Elwood Peckett features at the heart of our Round 17 team having dominated with 25 disposals and five goals in Dandenong’s thumping victory. He beat out Eastern star Christian Moraes (27 disposals, five goals) for said honours, but the pair line up together in midfield here.

Joining them at the centre bounces is Calder’s Nash King, who was polished on the inside en route to a game-high 31 disposals against Tasmania. Geelong ruck Joe Pike imposed himself to also make the cut, amassing 23 touches and 37 of a possible 58 hitouts as the Falcons beat Bendigo.

Speaking of, Pioneers prospect Tobie Travaglia led all comers with 27 disposals, 11 tackles and a goal in midfield but was squeezed to the outside for the purpose of squad balance. Dandenong bottom-ager Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves is a genuine wingman though, and showed his class against Murray.

FORWARD

HF: Damon Hollow (CC) – Floyd Burmeister (GWV) – Joe Berry (MB)
F: Lachy Dovaston (ER) – Ayden McCarroll (WJ) – Oliver Hannaford (GWV)

A pair of GWV Rebels feature in our Round 17 forward line. Ruckman Floyd Burmeister was influential in his primary post and gets a starting gig at centre half-forward, while Oliver Hannaford‘s 16 disposals and two goals were integral to his side’s victory. He features in the forward pocket.

A trio of talents bagged four goals apiece over the weekend to lock in starting spots. 208cm Western Jets debutant Ayden McCarroll made the most of his five touches, while Eastern small Lachy Dovaston slots in alongside him having posted 4.3 from 12 disposals in the same game.

The round’s other four-goal hero was Calder captain Damon Hollow, who helped inspire his side to a spirited win over Tasmania. Murray Bushrangers livewire Joe Berry also earned his place in the side for another week with 18 touches and a goal between the midfield and forwardline.

INTERCHANGE

INT: Archie Caldow (GWV), Cooper Hynes (DS), Xavier Kardachi (WJ), Harvey Langford (DS), Xavier Lindsay (GP), Patrick Said (CC)

Death, taxes, and Harvey Langford and Cooper Hynes making our Team of the Week. This time the Dandenong Stingrays duo feature on the bench having both starred in their side’s resounding win on Saturday. Respectively, they posted 26 and 28 disposals, with Hynes also snaring three goals.

Another likely first round prospect on the interchange is Gippsland skipper Xavier Lindsay, who stood tall with a game-high 26 disposals in a loss to GWV. Rebels utility Archie Caldow again stuffed the stats sheet with 24 disposals to prove impossible to deny in the same game.

Others to impress across the weekend included Western Jets midfielder Xavier Kardachi (28 disposals 10 marks), who was everywhere at times. Calder’s Patrick Said was also productive with 26 touches and two goals to be the Cannons’ third representative in this week’s squad.