IN the final edition of our Draft Central Player of the Week for NAB League Boys, Gippsland Power’s Riley Baldi has taken out the nomination after an impressive performance in the Power’s win over Bendigo Pioneers at Queen Elizabeth Oval. The Power midfielder became the first Power player this season to be nominated, and the third player from a NAB League Boys Country side. He earned the nomination after winning the Facebook poll against Geelong Falcons’ Charlie Sprague.
In the narrow 10-point win, Baldi picked up 27 disposals, five marks, five inside 50s and two rebounds, while laying seven tackles and booting two goals from three scoring shots – including a narrow miss. The 178cm midfielder/forward has played seven games for the Power this year, returning from injury in Round 5 and immediately having an impact, then missing games due to Vic Country commitments. He has picked up 20 or more disposals in six of his seven matches, averaging 24.3 disposals, 5.4 marks, 3.4 tackles, 4.3 inside 50s and 1.0 rebounds, as well as hitting the scoreboard with seven goals and five behinds. He also played all four games for Vic Country, averaging 19.0 disposals, 6.3 marks, 3.3 clearances, 6.0 tackles and 2.5 inside 50s. He looms as a crucial player for Gippsland in the upcoming NAB League Boys finals series.
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)
ROUND 12: Jye Chalcraft (Murray Bushrangers)
ROUND 13: Matt McGuinness (Tasmania Devils)
ROUND 14: Josh D’Intinosante (Northern Knights)
ROUND 15: Angus Hanrahan (Sandringham Dragons)
ROUND 16: Lochlan Jenkins (Oakleigh Chargers)
ROUND 17: RILEY BALDI (GIPPSLAND POWER)
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