OUR Coates Talent League Team of the Week is dominated by Sandringham and Eastern prospects in Round 2, after both sides registered 50-point victories over the Easter weekend. Fellow big winner, Geelong was also among four Country regions to contribute three players to the 24-man squad.

>> Snapshot: 2024 Coates Talent League – Round 2

DEFENCE

B: Harry O’Farrell (CC) – Noah Mraz (DS) – Ben Hopkins (DS)
HB: Tobie Travaglia (BP) – Matt Whitlock (MB) – Luke Trainor (SD)

As was the case in Round 1, tall talent headlines the defence in our Team of the Week. Murray’s Matt Whitlock is a repeat entrant along with Sandringham’s Luke Trainor, and flankers Tobie Travaglia (Bendigo) and Ben Hopkins (Dandenong).

New to the squad this year are a pair of National Academy members in Noah Mraz and Harry O’Farrell. Both mobile and versatile types with terrific skills, they feature next to each other on the full back line. O’Farrell, Calder’s lone entrant, took five marks and used the ball well in a win over Western.

Meanwhile, Mraz was in action for the first time this season having missed Round 1 due to concussion protocols. The 198cm talent looked like he had hardly missed a beat on Friday, collecting 24 disposals as his Stingrays went down to Gippsland in Seaford.

MIDFIELD

FOL: Joe Pike (GF) – Taj Hotton (SD) – Christian Moraes (ER)
C: Lucas McInerney (NK) – Levi Ashcroft (SD) – Willem Duursma (GP)

Round 2 Player of the Week Taj Hotton filled his boots in Saturday’s standalone fixture, booting four goals from 32 disposals and 10 marks to feature at the centre of our side. Teammate and captain Levi Ashcroft was also outstanding, racking up 30 touches and 10 inside 50s.

>> Round 2 POTW: Taj Hotton (Sandringham Dragons)

If not for Hotton, Eastern Ranges gun Christian Moraes would likely have been Player of the Week for his 25-disposal, four-goal performance. From the same game, Northern’s Lucas McInerney played another strong wingman’s game to earn selection on the outside.

On the opposite wing to McInerney is bottom-ager Willem Duursma, who showcased his potential in Gippsland’s win over Dandenong. Rucking this week is Geelong bigman Joe Pike after he won 21 hitouts and 18 touches in the Falcons’ big win over Greater Western Victoria (GWV).

>> Round 2 Player Focus: Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power)

FORWARD

HF: Jak Ryan (ER) – Tairon Ah-Mu (DS) – Jobe Shanahan (BP)
F: Will McLachlan (GF) – Joshua Murphy (MB) – Joe Berry (MB)

Murray Bushrangers pair Joshua Murphy (six goals) and Joe Berry (four) backed up their Round 1 exploits strongly to be locked into starting spots once again. They are joined on the full forward line by Geelong over-ager Wiliam McLachlan, who snared five goals and six marks on Thursday.

Stingrays bottom-ager Tairon Ah-Mu imposed himself with three goals to slot in at centre half-forward, supported on the flank by Bendigo high flier Jobe Shanahan (four goals). On the other flank, Eastern’s Jak Ryan could not be denied after his electric 21 touches and three goals.

INTERCHANGE

INT: Oliver Greeves (ER), Tom Hanily (GP), Xavier Ivisic (GF), Xavier Lindsay (GP), Sam Marshall (SD), Josh Smillie (ER)

Gippsland and Eastern boast a pair of players each on this week’s bench. The Power were served well by over-ager Tom Hanily and star top-ager Xavier Lindsay, who both ticked up over 30 touches. It was a similar story for Eastern, with pick one prospect Josh Smillie and bottom-ager Oliver Greeves both starring.

Elsewhere, Xavier Ivisic was among Geelong’s best and led all comers with 29 disposals to earn a spot. Sandringham midfielder Samuel Marshall became the fourth Dragon to make the cut having accumulated 27 touches and seven marks in his side’s thumping victory.