The sons, brothers, nephews, cousins and relatives of yesterdays and today’s heroes are the players who make up AFL Bloodlines. Collectively, after each round of TAC Cup football, I’ll be providing statistical updates and game notes on each individual player so that you can track their process this season.

If you missed the overviews of eligible AFL Bloodlines players, click here.

With plenty of stars missing due to AFL-AIS commitments and school football, there was still plenty to take out of a gruelling round of TAC Cup Football.

James Coghlan (Bendigo Pioneers)

James Coghlan had just the seven disposals and one behind against the Stingrays on the weekend. Not a huge disposal getter, but will get better as the year goes on.

Jack Lonie (Dandenong Stingrays)

Another high disposal game for Jack Lonie, finishing with 19 disposals as he enjoys the opportunity to play further up the ground. He does need to tidy up his disposal, with 13 of his 19 touches ineffective. While his disposal needs some work, his clinical finishing up is a highlight of his game, as is his weapon of a left boot, much like his cousins.

Sam Weideman (Eastern Ranges)

Weideman arguably won the game for the Eastern Ranges off his own boot on the weekend, taking important contested marks and hitting the score board, kicking three goals. Weideman also finished with 15 disposals, seven marks and two tackles. He has kicked a total of eight goals in the past two games and has really flourished being the focal point of the Eastern Ranges’ front half with Christian Petracca away on AIS duties.

Reece McKenzie (Northern Knights)

Reece McKenzie looked ready to tear the game apart for the Knights but was wasteful in front of goal, despite his dominance in air for the Knights as their main target inside 50. Despite suffering an ankle injury last week, he didn’t look overly hampered in the way that he was moving on the lead and marking so cleanly. If anything, a knock to his shoulder in the first quarter threatened to have more of a say on his afternoon, but the powerful forward missed crucial set shots when the game was in the balance that he would normally kick. He finished with 16 disposals, nine marks (three contested) and one goal, four behinds for the afternoon.

Zac Ballard (Northern Knights)

Ballard continues to string solid games together despite missing a large chunk of pre season due to a knee injury. Zac Ballard is a big unit, but moves swiftly yet strongly and is arguably the Knights’ best tackler on their list. Did some really classy things, but gets a big mention for laying 13 tackles in a high-pressure game. Also had 13 disposals and four marks and will continue to get better with the more games he plays.

Jake Bradley (Northern Knights)

Isn’t getting a huge amount of opportunity at the moment as a bottom-aged player which has reflected in his disposal output. Late in the last quarter, he had the opportunity to kick a goal from roughly 35 metres out and was unable to convert. He is still very light at 175 cms and 68 kilograms, and this year will be one of development before his top-age year next season.

Darcy MacPherson (Northern Knights)

Another bottom age player whose year is about development and getting a taste and understanding for the system. Darcy MacPherson is still a lightly framed midfielder who’s getting better as the weeks go on. Just the 11 disposals, two marks and three tackles for the day, but his defensive side is currently a real sticking point.

Aaron Christensen (Geelong Falcons)

The best small forward in the competition by a long stretch, Aaron Christensen had yet another stellar outing, collecting 10 disposals, including two marks, three tackles and four goals. He continues to go from strength to strength, and after a 2013 season that was largely interrupted with injury and form, Christensen is relishing the opportunity to play injury-free and as one of Geelong’s three co-captains.

Teia Miles (Geelong Falcons)

Continues to spit out impressive games each week and this was no exception. 19 disposals, three marks and two tackles. Was a really strong player in the finals for the Falcons as a bottom age player in 2013, which has served him well heading into his top age year this season.

Lockey McCartney (Geelong Falcons)

McCartney finished with just the six disposals, two goals, two marks and two tackles. Importantly, he kicks goals when the opportunity arises.

Zaine Cordy (Geelong Falcons)

19 disposals, seven handball receives, six marks and three tackles. Just continues to be Geelong’s ‘everywhere man’ playing a variety of roles that makes him incredibly hard to match up on. Bulldogs fans will be delighted to welcome him to the kennel at the end of the year; there is no way known they will overlook the talented utility.

Jordan Matera (Sandringham Dragons)

Matera had a solid game for the Dragons, finishing with ten disposals, four marks and one goal. Classy ball user and very dangerous once the ball hits the deck. He also plays like a key forward that can crumb, similar to Jamie Elliot.

Tyler Roos (Sandringham Dragons)

Huge effort from Tyler Roos, finishing with 25 disposals, three marks and two tackles. Roos missed two shots on goal,and will really need to capitalise on those opportunities to really stamp himself as a serious gun in the TAC Cup competition. His spread and work rate is fantastic, which was reflected by his 11 handball receives – a great reward for his hard running.

Harry Dear (Sandringham Dragons)

It wasn’t the day for big forwards, but Harry Dear did do some nice things when the ball came his way. Finished with a total of seven disposals and four marks, and kicked one goal. It was a fantastic coaching move to swing Dear into the ruck to bring him back into the game where he could have an impact. He looked comfortable rucking and stood out with 14 hitouts against arguably the TAC Cup’s best ruckman, Mark Kovacevic.

Tom Holman (Murray Bushrangers)

Tom Holman didn’t stand out particularly, collecting just the 15 disposals, four marks and two tackles.

Nick Mellington (Murray Bushrangers)

Nick Mellington started the year like a house on fire, but he’s been well contained in his previous few games. He had just 16 disposals, five handball receives and two marks against North Ballarat.

Dylan Swann (Western Jets)

The son of Carlton CEO Greg Swann, Dylan had an impressive game for the Western Jets, finishing with 17 disposals, eight handball receives, four marks and three tackles and was an influential player in the Western Jets’ 122-point win over the Northern Territory.