IN a stunning opening round, it was near impossible to pick a Draft Central NAB League Boys Team of the Week. More than 30 players made it onto the shortlist, but we had to cut it down to 24, with Bendigo Pioneers, Murray Bushrangers and Sandringham Dragons having three players each in the Team of the Week. A further six teams had two players each, while Calder Cannons, Eastern Ranges and Geelong Falcons had the one player each after suffering losses.

Sandringham Dragons’ belting of Calder Cannons saw key forward duo, Charlie Dean and Riley Bowman make the side after slotting a combined eight goals in the 109-point win. Captain Ryan Byrnes was superb in midfield and made the team, while Finn Maginness was the most unlucky player to miss out this week. Bendigo Pioneers put in a super performance to topple Geelong Falcons, as defender James Schischka was named in the back pocket, Thomson Dow on the wing and Riley Wilson on the bench. The other team that recorded three players in the Team of the Week was Murray Bushrangers, who despite losing in a narrow defeat, had a few standout performers with co-captains Lachlan Ash and Cam Wilson named up either end for their contributions, while Ben Kelly was strong rotating between defence and ruck.

Also in defence is Dandenong Stingrays’ Luke Williams who had a round-high 11 rebounds against Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels, joined in the team by ruck, Bigoa Nyuon who set the game alight early. Josh Kellett was impressive for the Western Jets and earned a place on the half-back flank, while Archi Manton was creative inside 50. Speaking of being creative inside 50, Oakleigh Chargers’ Noah Anderson booted four goals including a ripping goal after a couple of efforts, collecting Player of the Week and named at half-forward, while Joe Ayton-Delaney had a round-high 32 disposals and was named on the wing.

Ryan Sturgess fills out the rest of the forward line after standing up in the Northern Knights’ loss named at half-forward, while Sam Philp also made the side. Moving onto the midfield, Cooper Craig-Peters was strong in midfield for the GWV Rebels, named at ruck rover, while Mitch Martin was productive around the ground and made the side as well. Gippsland Power’s Kyle Dunkley booted three goals and was the Power’s best player on the weekend, named in the side with defender Ryan Sparkes.

The other players to make the team as their side’s sole representative were Calder Cannons’ captain, Brodie Newman, Geelong Falcons’ Jesse Clark and Eastern Ranges’ Cody Hirst. Among those who just missed out include Dandenong’s Jai Nanscawen, Geelong’s Charlie Lazzaro, Oakleigh’s Will Phillips and Trent Bianco, and Gippsland’s Sam Berry.