DANDENONG Stingrays bottom-ager Cooper Hynes is our Coates Talent League Player of the Week for Round 13 after another top performance in his side’s loss to Sandringham on Saturday night. The midfielder-forward stood tall to kick three goals from 24 touches and take out this week’s honours.

Having been overlooked for Vic Country squad selection, Hynes has been in serious form with Dandenong’s representative stars out of action. His feats in Round 13 follow a five-goal haul from 22 disposals against Gippsland, which was another outstanding showing in a losing effort.

He seems to be enjoying the added responsibility, but has performed well throughout the season even among the Stingrays’ array of stars. Hynes has averaged 18 disposals, three tackles, three inside 50s, and over a goal per his 10 games across a solid bottom-age campaign to date.

Among Hynes’ best traits are his size and strength at the contest, with the 188cm prospect holding up to the rigours of midfield play at Under 18 level. Needless to say, he is also capable of hitting the scoreboard but does so at important moments and is making his name as a clutch goal kicker.

With his nomination this week, Hynes becomes the first Dandenong player to do so in 2023, and just the fourth overall from a country region. He is also the third bottom-ager to be named Player of the Week this season, with that trend growing upon the National Championships’ commencement.

It was another tough field to win from in Round 13, with Northern’s Kristian Ferronato perhaps going closest to eclipsing Hynes. He booted three goals from 29 touches and laid seven tackles as the Knights beat Western by 38 points.

Bottom-ager Xavier Lindsay was also considered for his valiant efforts in Gippsland’s heavy defeat to Geelong, racking up a game-high 34 disposals to go with five marks, five inside 50s, and seven rebound 50s as he continues to build a hot streak of form.

It was also tough to look past Calder Cannons accumulator Mahmoud Taha. The Vic Metro squad member returned to Talent League level with a bang, leading all comers with 33 touches and six inside 50s as his side went down to Bendigo.

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)
Round 12: Murphy Reid (Sandringham Dragons)
Round 13: Cooper Hynes (Dandenong Stingrays)