OAKLEIGH Chargers midfielder Elijah Tsatas is our NAB League Player of the Week for Round 3. The pick one contender has gone from strength to strength across his first three games this season, culminating in his dominant performance for the Chargers in a 17-point win over the Eastern Ranges on Saturday.

Tsatas earns the nod at the second time of asking, having lost out in last week’s poll to Sandringham Dragons skipper Will Ashcroft. So far in 2022, he has notched up disposal tallies of 27, 36, and now 42. His latest outing also included 12 marks, 11 inside 50s, three rebound 50s and two behinds.

Lauded for his turn of speed and elite kicking on the run, Tsatas has potential to be one of the more damaging players in the draft pool. While he has accumulated big numbers this year, the 17-year-old looks most ominous when bursting away from congestion and delivering kicks into attack with opponents left in his wake.

Given Tsatas’ blistering start to his top-age campaign, he remains well within the top five conversation alongside the likes of Ashcroft, and Oakleigh teammate George Wardlaw. He is able to play on both sides of midfield, having mostly cut his teeth on a wing at the NAB League and representative levels.

Tsatas’ next chance to impress comes on Saturday, as his Oakleigh Chargers take on the Calder Cannons at Highgate Recreation Reserve in an all-Metro NAB League clash for Round 4. His record of lifting his disposal tally each week will be difficult to maintain after gathering 42 last time out, but stranger things have happened.

2022 ROOKIE ME CENTRAL NAB LEAGUE BOYS PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

Round 1: Jai Culley (Dandenong Stingrays)
Round 2: Will Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons)
Round 3: ELIJAH TSATAS (OAKLEIGH CHARGERS)