THE ROUND 11 Coates Talent League Team of the Week sees four different regions represented by three players apiece after what was a good weekend for tall forwards and prolific midfielders. See who made the cut in our 24-man squad, including three unlucky emergencies.

DEFENCE

B: Ryan Eyre (CC) – Connor O’Sullivan (MB) – Lucca Grego (WJ)
HB: Charlie Naish (NK) – Hamish Pierson (GF) – Kobe Shipp (DS)

It wasn’t necessarily a great week for defenders, but there were at least six players deserving of a spot in the side. Murray’s Connor O’Sullivan was a lock for his exploits against Western, taking up a key position slot alongside no frills Geelong Falcons leader Hamish Pierson.

Even the flankers were relatively quiet this week, with Calder’s Ryan Eyre (22 disposals) and Northern’s Charlie Naish (21) among the more prolific rebounders. Both have ties to AFL clubs, with Eyre an Essendon NGA prospect and Naish a Richmond father-son candidate.

Rounding out the back six are Kobe Shipp and Lucca Grego. The former was among Dandenong’s best in a loss to GWV, while the latter did some nice things from the last line as he continues his venture to defence as a bottom-ager.

MIDFIELD

C: Joel Freijah (GWV) – George Stevens (GWV) – Darcy Wilson (MB)
FOL: Lachlan Smith (GP) – Colby McKercher (TD) – Nash King (CC)

GWV Rebels standout George Stevens was an absolute lock in the centre of the park after racking up 44 touches in his side’s win over Dandenong. Teammate Joel Freijah snared two goals to flank him on the wing, while fellow Country gun Darcy Wilson features on the opposite side after starring in another loss.

Tasmanian Colby McKercher was also impossible to deny for his rampant 33 disposals and 2.5 in a tight win over Geelong, joined on-ball by Calder bottom-ager Nash King. Big man Lachlan Smith also locked down a place in the ruck after a strong outing as Gippsland was felled by Sandringham.

FORWARD

HF: Nate Caddy (NK) – Archer Reid (GP) – Luke Lloyd (SD) 
F: Harley Reid (BP) – Archer May (SD) – Logan Morris (WJ)

It was a tough forward line to crack in Round 11, as a bunch of goal kickers combined for big hauls. All players in this week’s starting six booted at least four majors, headlined by six from Player of the Week Nate Caddy (Northern Knights).

In the same game, top pick fancy Harley Reid snared four playing almost exclusively inside 50, Western’s Logan Morris did the same as his side’s main marking target. The Sandringham-Gippsland clash saw a trio of talls – Archer Reid, Archer May, and Luke Lloyd – all bag four goals to make the cut.

INTERCHANGE

INT: Zane Duursma (GP), Phoenix Gothard (MB), Zak Johnson (NK)
Massimo Raso (WJ), James Leake (TD), Christian Moraes (ER)

EMG: Archer Day-Wicks (BP), Kristian Ferronato (NK), Josh Smillie (ER)

There’s some serious class among the interchange bench and emergency slots, starting with top five prospect Zane Duursma, who has hit a purple patch in Gippsland’s midfield. He’ll next go up against Allies teammates Phoenix Gothard and James Leake at representative level, who also made the cut.

Bottom-agers Christian Moraes and Zak Johnson again impressed with prolific performances, as did Western small Massimo Raso in one of his best performances to date. Fellow 2006-born talents Josh Smillie and Archer Day-Wicks were close, and it was hard to deny Northern bull Kristian Ferronato.