BENDIGO Pioneers over-ager Harvey Gallagher is our NAB League Player of the Week for Round 13. It was a dominant display from the experienced head, as he racked up 44 disposals, five marks, five inside 50s, and 12 rebound 50s in his side’s dramatic one-point win over the Northern Knights on Saturday.

Having predominately cut his teeth as a midfielder-forward across two NAB League campaigns, the speedy customer has recently been swung to defence, where he has amassed 19 rebound 50s in his last two outings. Showcasing his versatility this season, Gallagher booted six goals in his two NAB League appearances before that.

His feats came in a game where Bendigo was beaten in most of the key team stats, but Gallagher and teammate Bode Stevens took hold at either end of the ground. The latter booted two goals from five scoring shots and a whopping 37 disposals.

It was Gallagher’s aggressive running and slick ball use which earned him the edge, becoming the fourth country-based prospect to earn Player of the Week honours in 2022. He is also just the third 2003-born player to do so, in the face of stiff top-age opposition.

Gallagher and his Pioneers improved to 2-8-1 in a season which has thrown up a few frustrating results for the region. But with individual winners across on all three lines on the weekend, there is plenty of upside heading into the final few rounds.

Bendigo will enjoy a bye in Round 14, before taking on the Dandenong Stingrays on Sunday, August 7. Gallagher, who has split his time with Carlton’s VFL side for three games this year, will likely prove a key figure in the Pio’s quest to soar as far as possible.

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)
Round 5: Seth Campbell (Tasmania Devils)
Round 7: Lewis Hayes (Eastern Ranges)
Round 8: Taj Campbell-Farrell (Dandenong Stingrays)
Round 9: Yuyu Ashwin (Oakleigh Chargers)
Round 10: Cameron Mackenzie (Sandringham Dragons)
Round 11: Hamish Sinnott (GWV Rebels)
Round 12: Ben Ham (Northern Knights)
Round 13: HARVEY GALLAGHER (Bendigo Pioneers)