AN EVEN spread of NAB League regions feature in our Round 9 Team of the Week, skippered by Oakleigh Chargers wingman Yuyu Ashwin. Check out who made the full 24-man squad, and three emergency spots below.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

Somewhat of a surprise packet this week, Yuyu Ashwin produced a breakout game for Oakleigh in a 37-point win over Calder. The speedy wingman built into the contest nicely, racking up 34 disposals and nine marks, while wreaking havoc with eight inside 50s and three goals. The Collingwood Next Generation Academy member has been a constant for the Chargers this year, but this was by far his best performance thus far.

DEFENDERS:

Intercepts and rebounds are aplenty in our Round 9 defence, which features two mainstay Tasmanians. Devils skipper Lachlan Cowan was his usual self, while athletic tall Tom McCallum got back to some of his best form as his side downed Murray by 23 points.

McCallum is joined by Calder Cannons interceptor Dane Whitnall in the key position posts. The Carlton father-son candidate was excellent under plenty of pressure in the Cannons’ loss and earned his spot on the last line.

Another mainstay, Dandenong’s Finn Emile-Brennan comes in once again, with Thomas Baulch a repeat representative in the opposite back pocket. Up at half-back, Sandringham over-ager Lachlan Benton rounds out the back six after gathering 30 touches in a new role behind the ball.

MIDFIELDERS:

With Ashwin on one wing, teammate Alex Noblet was a lock for the opposite side after a promising display on the outside. Otherwise, there’s a clear country feel about the midfield, which features Murray tall Ryan Eyers – who stepped up in the ruck this week.

At his feet, Taj Campbell-Farrell keeps accumulating the ball and Team of the Week nods, while Bendigo bottom-ager Harley Reid was unstoppable in his side’s maiden win of the season. Capping off a strong on-ball group is Harry Sheezel, whose 37 disposals confirmed his eligibility as a rotating midfielder.

FORWARDS:

Oakleigh over-ager Jerome Lawence spearheads this week’s forward line after his five-goal haul against Calder, and is joined by a slew of strong goalkickers. Owen Williams popped up with four goals from nine scoring shots for Dandenong, while Tom Gillett (four goals) and Zane Duursma (two) found the big sticks in the top-of-the-table clash.

In the pockets, Northern Territory native Beau Tedcastle snared three majors to showcase his smarts around goal for Greater Western Victoria, and Western Jets bottom-ager Logan Morris was difficult to overlook after his four-goal haul in a loss.

INTERCHANGE:

There are some big names on this week’s interchange bench, none more so than Sandringham skipper Will Ashcroft. Two regions have contributed a pair of players apiece, with midfielders Noah Bradshaw and Coby James (Murray), and Jacob Konstanty and Cooper Vickery earning their spots. Calder’s Kade Mueller also sneaks in after his efforts in a loss, jetting forward at all costs with his 27 touches.

ROOKIE ME CENTRAL ROUND 9 NAB LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK:

B: Finn Emile-Brennan (DS) – Dane Whitnall (CC) – Thomas Baulch (GWV)
HB: Lachlan Benton (SD) – Tom McCallum (TD) – Lachlan Cowan (TD)
C: Yuyu Ashwin (OC) – Harley Reid (BP) – Alex Noblet (OC)
HF: Owen Williams (DS) – Jerome Lawrence (OC) – Zane Duursma (GP)
F: Beau Tedcastle (GWV) – Tom Gillett (GF) – Logan Morris (WJ)
FOL: Ryan Eyers (MB) – Harry Sheezel (SD) – Taj Campbell-Farrell (DS)

INT: Will Ashcroft (SD), Noah Bradshaw (MB), Coby James (MB), Jacob Konstanty (GP), Kade Mueller (CC), Cooper Vickery (GP)

EMG: Jhye Clark (GF), Jason McCormick (NK), Flynn Loader (GWV)