SANDRINGHAM Dragons’ massive win in Round 5 of the NAB League Boys competition has seen four players make the Draft Central Team of the Week. It was the most of any side, with the thrashing among a number of one-sided contests, also seeing big winners, Dandenong Stingrays and Eastern Ranges recording three players apiece. All the other winners had two players make the side, while Round 5 losers, Bendigo Pioneers, Geelong Falcons, Murray Bushrangers and Oakleigh Chargers had one player each in the team. Of the shortlist of 36 that had to be reduced down to 24, the three players last to be cut and therefore are hypothetical emergencies, were Gippsland Power’s Brock Smith, Murray Bushrangers’ Jye Chalcraft and Western Jets’ Will Kennedy.

In a round where many AFL Academy players were rested or had other football commitments, a number of those remaining stood up, as did a great deal of other players, with seven debutants in this round’s Team of the Week. Sandringham captain Ryan Byrnes is the sole former representative, with Team of the Week debutants, Louis Butler, Jack Bell and Harry Loughnan all making the 24-player squad. The Dandenong Stingrays’ trio that have made the side have been in a Team of the Week before with Ned Cahill and Lachlan Williams both booting three goals on the weekend and making the side, while Jack Toner also slots into the team. For Eastern, Zakery Pretty was our Player of the Week and leads the onball division, alongside debutants, ruck Riley Smith and key position defender Joel Nathan, of whom the latter was best known for his massive hanger on the weekend.

Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels were the last winners of the round with a victory over Northern Territory on Sunday. Riley Polkinghorne had a standout game up forward and makes his debut in our Team of the Week, while Jay Rantall returns to the team after an exciting performance through the midfield. Western Jets’ win earlier in the day on Sunday against Tasmania resulted in two players making the final squad of 24, with Darcy Cassar and Josh Kellett – both returning players to the team – making the side in respective back pockets. The day before, Calder Cannons’ Brodie Newman took 17 marks to go with his 36 disposals and was a monty to be named at centre half-back. He is joined in the side by teammate Daniel Mott. Over in Gippsland, Harrison Pepper had a breakout game and made the side for his debut, while Riley Baldi returned from injury and made a statement.

On Friday night, Josh D’Intinosante and Ewan Macpherson were impressive for the Knights, with the latter making his debut in our Team of the Week. Bendigo’s Riley Wilson returns as the sole Pioneer, with James Schischka another player making the short list, but with so many impressive defenders this weekend it was hard to fit everyone in. Meanwhile other sole nominees for their sides were Charlie Sprague (Geelong Falcons) – who impressed in a weekend where the weather suited the smaller players – Cameron Wild (Murray Bushrangers) and Trent Bianco (Oakleigh Chargers).