METRO regions dominate our Coates Talent League Team of the Week for Round 8, headlined by the Calder Cannons’ four representatives. Fellow victors Northern and Eastern also contributed three players apiece to the 24-man squad, see who made the cut.

DEFENCE

B: Xavier Lindsay (GP) – Arie Schoenmaker (TD) – Oscar Ryan (MB)
HB: Nathan Philactides (OC) – Josh Tovey (ER) – Ryan Eyre (CC)

It may lack genuine key position presence, but there was a heck of a squeeze for this week’s back six spots. Arguably the standout performance came from Oakleigh rebounder Nathan Philactides, who broke out with his best game of the year in a loss to Northern.

Tasmania’s forgotten man Arie Schoenmaker racked up huge numbers in his first outing for 2023, notching 36 disposals and 19 rebound 50s to be the sole Devils representative this week. He comes in at full back, while 193cm Eastern backman Joshua Tovey is the makeshift centre half-back.

Flankers Ryan Eyre and Xavier Lindsay also made the cut for their efforts on opposite sides as Calder beat Gippsland, while Murray Bushrangers dasher Oscar Ryan finally cracks the side having compiled a strong season to date. He was one of the Bushies’ best in a loss to Geelong.

MIDFIELD

FOL: Will Green (NK) – Josh Smillie (ER) – Harry De Mattia (DS)
C: Jayden Nguyen (CC) – Zak Johnson (NK) – Caleb Windsor (ER)

Northern Knights pair Will Green and Zak Johnson make for a terrific ruck and rover combination in our hypothetical side. It was a reality against Oakleigh, with the former having his best game of the year while the latter was named our Round 8 Player of the Week.

Eastern also boasts two representatives in the midfield mix, with Josh Smillie featuring on-ball while Caleb Windsor slots into his usual position on the outside. Dandenong’s Harry De Mattia was a lock from the same game, and Calder wingman Jayden Nguyen makes it three bottom-agers through the middle.

FORWARD

HF: Nate Caddy (NK) – Jordan Croft (CC) – Zane Duursma (GP)
F: Hugh Byrne (BP) – Joe Pike (GF) – Amin Naim (CC)

The half-forward line is star studded this week, headlined by two National Academy members on the flanks and spearheaded by a rising father-son prospect. Nate Caddy earns his spot after a breakout four goals, while Zane Duursma produced his usual brilliance and Jordan Croft was the difference for Calder.

Four of our six forwards are over 190cm and there is plenty more height at full forward with Geelong ruck Joe Pike. He’s partnered by mobile Bendigo tall Hugh Byrne and Calder’s Amin Naim, who was another to boot four goals this weekend.

INTERCHANGE

Archer Day-Wicks (BP), Harvey Langford (DS), Jake Smith (WJ)
George Stevens (GWV), Luke Teal (OC), Darcy Wilson (MB)

EMG: Lachlan Charleson (GWV), Michael Cilmi (WJ), Angus Hastie (GF)

Six different regions are represented on the extended interchange, while three emergencies can consider themselves unlucky to miss out on this week’s team. Bottom-ager Archer Day-Wicks and GWV bull George Stevens earn their spots as arguably their sides’ best players in losing efforts.

Similar can be said for the likes of Harvey Langford, Luke Teal, and Darcy Wilson, with Western’s Jake Smith the only winner to feature on the Round 8 bench. He was terrific through midfield with 24 touches and two goals against Bendigo.