IT might be said every week but last round’s NAB League Boys action was by far the hardest to reduce a Team of the Week to just 24 players. After initial viewing, there were 32 players who on most weeks would make the Draft Central Team of the Week, but with a thirteenth team added – Tasmania – and some unbelievable individual efforts, it took some tough calls to finally determine a side for the NAB League Boys competition. Among the last three to unluckily miss out on the Team of the Week were Oakleigh Chargers’ Nick Guiney, Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels’ Jack Tillig and Sandringham Dragons’ Fischer McAsey. At the same time, there was some creative liberty with some players given the wide range of talent particularly in defenders and rucks this weekend.

Of the teams, Eastern Ranges and Murray Bushrangers had three representatives each, while Oakleigh Chargers, Bendigo Pioneers, Dandenong Stingrays, Gippsland Power, Northern Knights, Calder Cannons and Sandringham Dragons all had two players in the team. An even team performance from the Rebels resulted in just one player making it despite the win, although a number were close, while disappointing losses to Tasmania and Western Jets also saw just one player each make the side.

Eastern produced the Draft Central Player of the Week for Round 4, with Mitch Mellis slotting into the midfield, while teammates, Lachlan Stapleton and Cody Hirst also made the side this week. The other side to have three nominees in the team despite yet another narrow loss was Murray Bushrangers, with ruck Ben Kelly making the side again, along with midfielder and former Northern Knight, Cam Wild and exciting forward Jye Chalcraft. Also in the midfield was Oakleigh Chargers’ Noah Anderson after a 44-disposal game, along with teammate and fellow potential top pick, Matt Rowell.

The Pioneers had ruck Aaron Gundry making the side, while Thomson Dow also made the team after an impressive three quarters on the weekend. Also in defence in Ryan Sparkes who had 28 possessions through the midfield, while fellow Power midfielder, Sam Flanders also features. The three other defenders in the back six are sole nominees for their side with Western Jets’ Darcy Cassar, GWV Rebels’ Jay Rantall and Tasmania’s first nominee, Matthew McGuinness.

Up forward, Cody Weightman was terrific in Dandenong’s narrow victory, joined in the team by Jack Toner in the midfield, while Northern Knights’ Josh D’Intinosante is in the other forward pocket, making the Team of the Week with Ryan Sturgess up the other end. In the final spot inside 50, Calder Cannons’ Josh Kemp made the team for his three goals, while Brodie Newman was superb again in defence and will play the role of full-back. At full-forward is Sandringham Dragons tall Charlie Dean, joined in the side by teammate Jack Mahony, while Geelong’s Cooper Stephens rounds out the 24-player side.