EASTERN Ranges and Geelong Falcons might sit at either end of the NAB League Boys ladder, but both were featured heavily in the Draft Central NAB League Boys Team of the Week for Round 16. Both the Ranges and Falcons had a round-high four nominations each in the Team of the Week, while other winners, Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels and Oakleigh Chargers had three players each, as did narrow losers Bendigo Pioneers and Dandenong Stingrays. Tasmania Devils and Western Jets both had two players each in the side to round out the 24-player squad decided over four games.

Geelong Falcons broke through for just their second win of the season, which was led by a number of bottom-agers including Oliver Henry and Cameron Fleeton who held up the defence well down on the Apple Isle. Also returning to the side but having more of a midfield presence was co-captain Jesse Clark who made the side along with overager, Charlie Sprague. At the other end of the table, Eastern secured a narrow win over Dandenong, which was led by captain James Ross who was strong in defence and got forward to boot two goals, as well as Team of the Week regulars Mitch Mellis and Zak Pretty in midfield, and Billy McCormack through the ruck and pushing forward.

Oakleigh Chargers’ Lochlan Jenkins won our Player of the Week for Round 16 and was named in midfield along with teammates Reef McInnes and Vincent Zagari who both impressed, while their opponents Western Jets saw the classy Josh Honey and five-goal forward Archi Manton make Team of the Week this week. Rounding out the back six are Dandenong Stingrays’ duo Clayton Gay and Hayden Young, while Ned Cahill showed impressive signs up forward.

Up at MARS Stadium on Sunday, Jay Rantall was superb again for GWV Rebels through the midfield, while Cooper Craig-Peters and Under 16s key forward Josh Rentsch were also named in our Team of the Week. Bendigo Pioneers had the three players as well in the tight game with Jack Ginnivan making it once again after four goals, while Josh Treacy was strong up forward too, and Aaron Gundry solid through the ruck. Rounding out the team is Tasmania’s Oliver Davis and Sam Banks who were among the best for the Devils in their loss to the Falcons.