GWV Rebels forward Lachlan Charleson is our Coates Talent League Player of the Week for Round 16 after bagging eight goals in his side’s 48-point win over Bendigo. The diminutive top-ager set a lively tone inside 50, registering 12 scoring shots from 22 disposals and five marks.

He hit a purple patch during term three, snaring four consecutive majors to spark the Rebels’ run of six unanswered goals in the second half. Fittingly, that streak proved exactly the difference on the Queen Elizabeth Oval scoreboard.

Having rotated through midfield for much of the year, Charleson took on a more permanent role up forward on Sunday. The result was a season-best haul of goals to take his tally to 17 overall, while also averaging 20 touches, four tackles and four inside 50s.

His partner in crime was bottom-aged tall Jonty Faull, who booted four goals and clunked eight marks. Meanwhile, big-bodied midfielder George Stevens continued his strong run of form to lead all comers with 29 disposals and 12 tackles.

It was a case of people coming to watch top draft prospect Harley Reid, but staying for Charleson. After booting two first-quarter goals, Reid was caught in a tackle and limped off the ground in the second term, sitting out the remainder of the match with a jarred knee.

Charleson becomes the second GWV talent to earn Player of the Week honours after Joel Freijah took them out at the same venue in Round 4. He is now the sixth Country-based player, and ninth top-ager to do so in season 2023.

Around the grounds, Round 11 nominee Nate Caddy had a day out with four goals from 20 disposals and 11 marks in an upset win over Sandringham. The Dragons looked flat, but that didn’t stop midfield pair Ryley Sanders (35 disposals) and Levi Ashcroft (31) from posting big numbers.

Over in Morwell, Zane Duursma was Gippsland’s best with four goals in a loss to Oakleigh. The Chargers were served well by bottom-agers Jagga Smith (31 disposals, two goals) and Patrick Retschko (41 disposals, 12 rebound 50s) in the win.

A pair of Tasmanian goal kickers also took toll on the Apple Isle. Jack Dolliver and James Leake combined for nine majors as the Devils thrashed Calder by 70 points. Meanwhile, Billy and Darcy Wilson were terrific for their respective sides as Dandenong convincingly kicked away from Murray.

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)
Round 14: Christian Moraes (Eastern Ranges)
Round 15: Zane Duursma (Gippsland Power)
Round 16: LACHLAN CHARLESON (GWV Rebels)