A TRIO of NAB League regions boast three players apiece in the Round 2 Team of the Week, which features a representative from all 16 teams in action. After their respective victories, Sandringham, Eastern and Dandenong are the best represented clubs, with Tasmania and Northern the other teams to contribute multiple players. Check out the full 24-man squad, and three emergencies, below.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

After a steady start to NAB League life by his lofty standards, Sandringham Dragons skipper Will Ashcroft returned a standout shift in his side’s 43-point win over Calder on Saturday. The Brisbane Lions father-son candidate amassed 38 disposals, four marks, four tackles and seven inside 50s to win our weekly poll. It was a performance fitting of Ashcroft’s class, which has him poised as a clear top five candidate and early pick one frontrunner.

DEFENDERS:

Having entered the fold this weekend off a Round 1 bye, Tasmania lays claim to two representatives in the backline. Skipper Lachlan Cowan comes in off half-back and suits the line to a t, while teammate Tom McCallum sneaks in on the last line after an exciting performance running out of the Devils’ defence.

The Metro representation comes in strongly, with Eastern’s Lewis Hayes and Calder over-ager Josh Misiti filling the key position slots. The latter is also an Essendon father-son prospects, and has started his season well to the delight of Bombers fans.

Archie Roberts features once again on the opposite flank to Cowan as Sandringham’s first of three representatives, while Finn Emile-Brennan claims the same status for Dandenong in the back pocket. Both are exciting talents with stylish traits, and would prove a good watch in this hypothetical team.

MIDFIELDERS:

As is often the case, the engine room is stacked but there were a few straightforward picks to be made. Joining Ashcroft in the followers line is Oakleigh standout Elijah Tsatas, who takes up the vice-captaincy having lost out to his fellow pick one contender in the Player of the Week poll. He notched a casual 36 touches.

Dandenong workhorse Mitch Szybkowski joins them at the centre bounces alongside imposing Gippsland Power ruck Harvey Howe, after both players made their presence felt in respective wins. Szybkowski’s fellow Stingray Jaxon Binns comes in on a wing for his second half exploits, while Eastern ball magnet Kai Windsor was squeezed out to the other wing after his 30-disposal showing.

FORWARDS:

A dynamic forwardline is headlined by potential 2023 number one pick Nick Watson, who was electric with five goals in the Ranges’ runaway win over the Gold Coast Suns Academy. Northern’s Nate Caddy is a repeat selection, and the second bottom-ager in the front six after continuing his strong start to the season.

Making it three father-sons in the side is Caddy’s fellow Knight Cooper Harvey, who was prominent despite his side’s loss. Lions Academy talent Mitchell Howson was another who performed well in a loss, booting four goals, while Sandringham’s Hugo Hall-Kahan and Murray’s Darcy Wilson also hitting the scoreboard in a big way to earn selection.

INTERCHANGE:

Stiff to be relegated to the interchange, Geelong Falcons captain Jhye Clark fronts the rotation pieces this week after willing his side to a draw. Max Dow, the brother of Paddy and Thomson, was a standout for Bendigo in the same game, and earns his spot.

There is a strong Northern Academy feel to the remaining players, with Jordan Endemann (Sydney), Jed Foggo (Gold Coast), and Luke Lawrence (GWS) all among their respective sides’ best players in losses. Western Jets small Matthew Payne rounds out the 24-man squad, which proved ultra competitive in the back end.

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL NAB LEAGUE BOYS TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 2

B: Finn Emile-Brennan (DS) – Lewis Hayes (ER) – Tom McCallum (TD)
HB: Archie Roberts (SD) – Josh Misiti (CC) – Lachlan Cowan (TD)
MID: Jaxon Binns (DS) – Mitch Szybkowski (DS) – Kai Windsor (ER)
HF: Darcy Wilson (MB) – Nate Caddy (NK) – Cooper Harvey (NK)
FF: Nick Watson (ER) – Mitch Howson (BL) – Hugo Hall-Kahan (SD)
FOL: Harvey Howe (GP) – Will Ashcroft (SD, c) – Elijah Tsatas (OC, vc)

INT: Jhye Clark (GF), Max Dow (BP), Jordan Endemann (SS), Jed Foggo (GC), Luke Lawrence (GWS), Matthew Payne (WJ)

EMG: Angus Curry (OC), Jaspa Fletcher (BL), Jack Newitt (CC)