SANDRINGHAM Dragons’ Darcy Chirgwin made more than just a successful return to NAB League Boys action, earning our Draft Central Player of the Week nomination for Round 11. Chirgwin returned to the Dragons’ side for their top-of-the-table clash with Eastern Ranges, having missed the first half of the season due to injury. Needing to get back to have any chance of playing in Vic Country’s last couple of matches in what could be a successful national carnival for the side, Chirgwin excelled.

The Ranges got the points on the day, but Chirgwin’s ability to not only win the footy with ease, but lay a massive 16 tackles in his return was hailed by his side. He finished the Round 11 match with 32 disposals, five marks, three inside 50s and two rebounds, as well as his match-high tackle count. He won our Player of the Week nomination after winning the Facebook poll against Gippsland Power’s Fraser Phillips. Chirgwin becomes the first Sandringham Dragons player to take out the nomination this season, but remarkably the ninth metropolitan-based club member. He does have a tie to Country however, moving from Geelong Falcons – and famous club St Mary’s – to board at Melbourne Grammar, which is why he is eligible for Vic Country at the national carnival.

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)
ROUND 6: Trent Bianco (Oakleigh Chargers)
ROUND 7: Sam Conforti (Bendigo Pioneers)
ROUND 8: Darcy Cassar (Western Jets)
ROUND 9: Lucas Rocci (Western Jets)
ROUND 10: Jordan Jaworski (Eastern Ranges)
ROUND 11: DARCY CHIRGWIN (SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS)