AFTER an impressive win over Gold Coast SUNS Academy, Eastern Ranges’ inside midfielder Zakery Pretty has earned the Draft Central Player of the Week title for Round 5. The Ranges midfielder has enjoyed a solid season this year, and he was the standout ball winner in the Ranges’ 59-point win over the SUNS at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Saturday. He joins teammate Mitch Mellis as Eastern representatives, making it four of the five players from metropolitan sides this year. Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell are the other two Victorians (both from Oakleigh Chargers), while Tom Green earned the nod last week from the GWS GIANTS Academy.

Pretty won the Facebook vote against Calder Cannons’ Brodie Newman, after collecting 37 disposals at 55 per cent contested and with 70 per cent efficiency. He also took one mark, had eight clearances, seven inside 50s and booted a goal in the victory. In his four games this season, Pretty has not registered below 19 disposals, averaging 26.3 disposals, 2.3 marks, 3.5 tackles, 6.5 clearances and 4.8 inside 50s for the Ranges. He was also named in the extended Vic Metro squad, averaging the equal most disposals of a Metro player in the first game, totalling 19, as well as two mars, six clearances, three inside 50s and a goal.

DRAFT CENTRAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

ROUND 1: Noah Anderson (Oakleigh Chargers)
ROUND 2: Mitch Mellis (Eastern Ranges)
ROUND 3: Matt Rowell (Oakleigh Chargers)
ROUND 4: Tom Green (GWS GIANTS Academy)
ROUND 5: ZAKERY PRETTY (EASTERN RANGES)