WESTERN Jets bottom-ager Jake Smith is our NAB League Player of the Week for Round 15. The midfielder put in a massive shift for his side on the weekend, racking up 30 disposals, four marks, six inside 50s, and two goals in the Jets’ barnstorming 37-point win over Oakleigh Chargers.

Smith has enjoyed a pair of breakout performances over the last two rounds, notching disposal hauls well clear of his previous season-bests. His new high of 30 sets a formidable benchmark, and Saturday was also the on-baller’s first time booting multiple goals for the Jets’ Under 18 outfit.

Remarkably, considering the all-star cast which has consistently featured this year, Smith is the first 2005-born player to earn Player of the Week honours in 2022. He is also the first Western product to do so, but the eighth Metro-based prospect.

In alignment with Smith’s form, Western has won its last two games against traditionally tough opposition in Geelong and Oakleigh, doubling the region’s 2022 win tally in the process. The Jets, who won their first-ever premiership in the girls’ competition this year, now sit 10th at 4-8.

There will be even more opportunity for Smith and his troops to impress as the NAB League season draws to its conclusion. The under-age talent will next face the Northern Knights at Preston City Oval on August 20, before the league’s Wildcard Round.

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)
Round 14: Bailey Humphrey (Gippsland Power)
Round 15: JAKE SMITH (Western Jets)