NORTHERN Knights star Nate Caddy is our Coates Talent League Player of the Week for Round 11, after producing a game-winning performance in his side’s win over Bendigo on Sunday. The tall forward booted 6.4 from 25 disposals and nine marks to take out this week’s honours.

Caddy started at the centre bounce in both of the first two terms, but had his greatest impact up forward where his aerial presence and athleticism took toll. Bendigo struggled for the right matchup and it proved costly as the Knights enacted a second half onslaught.

Having trailed by two points at the main break, Northern booted nine unanswered goals in the third quarter, with Caddy bagging four, to kick away to a comfortable 64-point victory on the road. In the same game, top pick fancy Harley Reid snared 4.3 from 11 touches for the Pioneers.

Caddy had some stiff competition for this week’s award, but took nearly 60 per cent of the votes in a poll against GWV Rebels midfielder George Stevens. The big-bodied ball winner racked up 44 disposals, seven tackles and 10 inside 50s as his Rebels downed Dandenong by 33 points the previous day.

The pair proved outstanding candidates this week, though Tasmania Devils gun Colby McKercher would have given them a run for their money. The midfielder had 33 touches and 2.5 to lead his side to victory against Geelong, but was ineligible for nomination having been our Round 7 Player of the Week.

Of the nine players to have earned Player of the Week honours this season, six feature in our June Power Rankings top 20, which dropped on Monday night. Caddy comes in at number eight and has all the star power of a genuine top 10 pick.

2023 COATES TALENT LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Round 1: Indhi Kirk (Swans Academy)
Round 2: Tom Anastasopoulos (Geelong Falcons)
Round 3: Nick Watson (Eastern Ranges)
Round 4: Joel Freijah (GWV Rebels)
Round 5: N/A
Round 6: Jed Walter (Suns Academy)
Round 7: Colby McKercher (Tasmania Devils)
Round 8: Zak Johnson (Northern Knights)
Round 9: Darcy Wilson (Murray Bushrangers)
Round 10: N/A
Round 11: NATE CADDY (Northern Knights)

>> Top 20: June 2023 Power Rankings