AFTER a best on ground performance in Round 5, Northern Knights captain Zak Johnson has joined Damon Hollow atop the Rookie Me Central Medal leaderboard. The prolific midfielder played in each third of the ground and kicked two goals from 27 disposals in his side’s three-point win on Sunday.

>> SCROLL for the Round 5 votes & leaderboard

The aforementioned pair of likely Vic Metro teammates are now clear in equal-first place on eight votes apiece, with recent National Academy representative Tobie Travaglia trailing in second on six. The trio are the only players to have polled across three games this season.

A pack of seven players are jostling for position on the final podium spot, all with five votes to their names. Among them is Tasmania Devils midfielder-forward Lenny Douglas. The explosive talent notched three votes this week after posting 23 disposals and four goals as the Devils won big.

Elsewhere, Swans Academy pair Nicholas Andreacchio and Ned Hawkins stuffed the stats sheet in Sydney’s comprehensive win over Eastern Ranges. Both players topped the disposal count for the round with 37 and 36 respectively, polling votes alongside Lachlan Carmichael.

Suns Academy star Zeke Uwland also had a massive game with 25 disposals and six goals, but it was not enough to usurp Bailey McKenzie for Player of the Week honours. The Sandringham Dragons forward dined out against GWS with 23 disposals, 13 marks and seven goals.

With all five Northern Academies in action over the weekend, there were also plenty of new names in the votes. Among them, Giants Academy ruck Logan Smith took his tally to four, Lions midfielder Daniel Annable was prolific for two votes, and Taj Murray got the NT on the board with one.

>> 2024 CTL Round 5: Snapshot | POTW | TOTW | Scouting Notes

ROUND 5 VOTES

Eastern Ranges 5.5 (35) def. by Swans Academy 14.9 (93)

3 – Nicholas Andreacchio (Swans Academy)
2 – Ned Hawkins (Swans Academy)
1 – Lachlan Carmichael (Swans Academy)

Suns Academy 15.13 (103) def. Oakleigh Chargers 6.10 (46)

3 – Zeke Uwland (Suns Academy)
2 – Jai Murray (Suns Academy)
1 – Kane Emery (Oakleigh Chargers)

Tasmania Devils 17.15 (117) def. Northern Territory Academy 4.8 (32)

3 – Lenny Douglas (Tasmania Devils)
2 – Liam Ling (Tasmania Devils)
1 – Taj Murray (Northern Territory Academy)

Sandringham Dragons 22.8 (140) def. Giants Academy 3.8 (26)

3 – Bailey McKenzie (Sandringham Dragons)
2 – Josh Dolan (Sandringham Dragons)
1 – Logan Smith (Giants Academy)

Lions Academy 9.9 (63) def. Northern Knights 9.12 (66)

3 – Zak Johnson (Northern Knights)
2 – Daniel Annable (Lions Academy)
1 – Tom Gillett (Lions Academy)

TOP 10 LEADERBOARD

Eq. 1st. Damon Hollow (Calder Cannons) – 8 [2, 3, 3]
Eq. 1st. Zak Johnson (Northern Knights) – 8 [3, 2, 3]
2nd. Tobie Travaglia (Bendigo Pioneers) – 6 [3, 1, 2]
Eq. 3rd. Levi Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons) – 5 [2, 3]
Eq. 3rd. Joe Berry (Murray Bushrangers) – 5 [2, 3]
Eq. 3rd. Lenny Douglas (Tasmania Devils) – 5 [2, 3]
Eq. 3rd. Xavier Ivisic (Geelong Falcons) – 5 [3, 2]
Eq. 3rd. Will McLachlan (Geelong Falcons) – 5 [2, 3]
Eq. 3rd. Christian Moraes (Eastern Ranges) – 5 [1, 3, 1]
Eq. 3rd. Jagga Smith (Oakleigh Chargers) – 5 [2, 3]

LEADERS BY CLUB

Bendigo Pioneers – Tobie Travaglia (6)
Calder Cannons – Damon Hollow (8)
Dandenong Stingrays – Cooper Hynes & Harvey Langford (4)
Eastern Ranges – Christian Moraes (5)
Geelong Falcons – Xavier Ivisic & Will McLachlan (5)
Giants Academy – Logan Smith (4)
Gippsland Power – Tom Hanily (3)
GWV Rebels – Wil Rantall (1)
Lions Academy – Daniel Annable (2)
Murray Bushrangers – Joe Berry (5)
Northern Knights – Zak Johnson (8)
Northern Territory – Taj Murray (1)
Oakleigh Chargers – Jagga Smith (5)
Sandringham Dragons – Levi Ashcroft (5)
Suns Academy – Zeke Utland (3)
Swans Academy – Ned Hawkins (3)
Tasmania Devils – Lenny Douglas (5)
Western Jets – Thomas McGuane (3)

CLUB LEADERBOARD

Sandringham Dragons – 18
Calder Cannons – 13
Dandenong Stingrays – 13
Bendigo Pioneers – 11
Eastern Ranges – 11
Geelong Falcons – 11
Gippsland Power – 11
Murray Bushrangers – 11
Northern Knights – 11
Tasmania Devils – 8
Giants Academy – 7
Oakleigh Chargers – 7
Swans Academy – 7
Western Jets – 7
Suns Academy – 5
Lions Academy – 3
GWV Rebels – 1
Northern Territory – 1