SANDRINGHAM Dragons forward Harry Sheezel is our NAB League Player of the Week for Round 4. The mercurial forward has been in prolific goalkicking form thus far in 2022, but hit new heights with ridiculous numbers of 28 disposals, five marks, five tackles, four inside 50s and six goals on Saturday, in his side’s 72-point trouncing of the Tasmania Devils.

Remarkably, Sheezel was not the leading goalkicker or disposal winner on the day, with teammates Charlie Clarke (seven goals) and Will Ashcroft (34 disposals) pipping him for the respective honours. Still, it was the kind of breakout game which will likely go a long way towards the 17-year-old cementing himself as a genuine top 10 talent.

At 184cm, Sheezel is a menace inside attacking 50 with such natural forward craft and a sharp eye for goal. He can present as a leading target or get busy when the ball hits the deck, proving a true game breaker with his ability to kick bags of goals. He is the sort of player who fits the phrase, ‘when it rains, it pours’.

The AFL Academy member has now kicked 13 goals for the season from an average of 19.5 disposals and four marks across four games. 10 of those majors have come in the last two weeks, as Sheezel raises his level and begins to showcase a bit of scope for midfield minutes down the line.

Being with Sandringham for most of the year, the top-age star is one who Dragons staff say is “closing the gap” to Ashcroft in the region when it comes to the draft pecking order. Along with Ashcroft, Sheezel is now the second Dragon and third Metro talent to earn a Player of the Week nod in 2022.

The Dragons will have nearly a month’s break until their next NAB League outing, scheduled for May 22 in a Round 7 clash against the Eastern Ranges. With representative honours in the offing for both Vic Metro and the national academy, Sheezel will have plenty of opportunities to shine on the big stage.

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)
Round 4: HARRY SHEEZEL (Sandringham Dragons)