A ROUND-HIGH four Murray Bushrangers feature in our NAB League Team of the Week for Round 3, after the region’s mammoth 116-point win over the Northern Territory Thunder. Fellow winners Dandenong and Sandringham contributed three players apiece, though competition for spots was tight with attacking eight games played in a bumper four days of Eastern Weekend action.

Check out who made the full 24-man squad, and three emergency spots below.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

After missing out on Player of the Week honours in last week’s poll, Oakleigh Chargers jet Elijah Tsatas was undeniable for the nod in Round 3. The pick one contender played a blinder on Saturday, racking up an Aussie rules triple-double with 42 disposals, 12 marks, and 11 inside 50s.

Playing on both sides of midfield, Tsatas has quickly become a Team of the Week mainstay on the back of a dominant start to his top-age campaign. In his three games so far, he has upped his disposal tally and been among Oakleigh’s prime movers.

DEFENDERS:

With plenty of attacking football displayed in Round 3 and a real squeeze in the attacking end of the ground, picking a balanced defensive line was tough. On the last line, the Dandenong Stingrays and Murray Bushrangers have their first of three representatives each, with Finn Emile-Brennan (back pocket) and Ryan Eyers (full back) proving hard to deny in wins.

Joining them is Western Jets co-captain Massimo D’Ambrosio, who once again ticked over 30 disposals in his side’s second win of the season. Bolting Oakleigh prospect Josh Weddle brings something different to the half-back line, along with prolific rebounders Jonti Schuback (Gippsland) and Lachlan Cowan (Tasmania). Their inclusions mean all six starting defenders featured in victories.

MIDFIELDERS:

A familiar feel makes up the midfield mix, with a few high-class returning faces essentially selecting themselves this week. Tsatas’ round-high 42 disposals made him a lock, while Sandringham skipper Will Ashcroft enjoyed another day out, and Mitch Szybkowski was again Dandenong’s best in a hard-fought win. It’s an AFL Academy trifecta.

Rucking to them is Geelong Falcons bigman Olivier Northam, who was in everything on Thursday night against GWV and makes the cut in a decent week for talls. Out on the wings, Stingrays talent Jaxon Binns comes in next to Szybkowski with sole Northern Knights representative Darcy Edmends taking up the other outside role.

FORWARDS:

There were plenty of goals in Round 3, and a raft of key position players to squeeze into the front six. Murray Bushrangers pair Fletcher Hart (six goals) and Toby Murray (three) were on song in a massive win, so they lead the line this week.

Around them, Tasmanian over-ager Will Splann slots in for his four-goal effort, while Falcons flyer Tadgh Evans earned his place for the same amount of majors. There was competition for the remaining two spots, but Gippsland captain Bailey Humphrey was impossible to deny and Sandringham’s Harry Sheezel proved prolific as ever to round out the forwardline.

INTERCHANGE:

With eight games played this weekend, it was another tight squeeze for the remaining six spots, and even the three emergency positions. Making it a round-high four Bushrangers this week is Noah Bradshaw, a talent for Brisbane fans to watch given his father-son candidacy.

Fellow midfielders Caiden Cleary (Swans Academy) and Luke Lawrence (Giants Academy) were again dependable as the Northern Academies suffered losses, while versatile Eastern over-ager Tyreece Leiu and Bendigo rebounder Michael Kiraly also come in as their respective regions’ lone representatives.

St Kilda NGA talent Cameron Mackenzie makes it three Dragons, and a strong 24 players in this week’s squad. Unlucky to miss out were Calder’s Michael Ktona, Western goalkicker Jovan Petric, and nifty Tasmanian mid-forward Seth Campbell.

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL ROUND 3 NAB LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK:

B: Finn Emile-Brennan (DS), Ryan Eyers (MB), Massimo D’Ambrosio (WJ)
HB: Lachlan Cowan (TD), Josh Weddle (OC), Jonti Schuback (GP)
C: Darcy Edmends (NK), Mitch Szybkowski (DS), Jaxon Binns (DS)
HF: Bailey Humphrey (GP), Fletcher Hart (MB), Will Splann (TD)
F: Harry Sheezel (SD), Toby Murray (MB), Tadgh Evans (GF)
FOL: Olivier Northam (GF), Elijah Tsatas (OC, c), Will Ashcroft (SD)

INT: Noah Bradshaw (MB), Caiden Cleary (SS), Michael Kiraly (BP), Luke Lawrence (GWS), Tyreece Leiu (ER), Cam Mackenzie (SD)

EMG: Seth Campbell (TD), Michael Ktona (CC), Jovan Petric (WJ)