MURRAY Bushrangers lead the way with a high of three representatives in our Coates Talent League Team of the Week for Round 6. After a bumper eight-game weekend, 15 clubs have contributed to the squad of 24, which also features three emergencies after a selection squeeze. See who made the cut.

>> 2024 CTL Round 6: Snapshot | POTW | Scouting Notes | Votes

DEFENCE

B: Lachlan McArthur (WJ) – Thomas Barnett (CC) – Lachie Jaques (GF)
HB: Zak Johnson (NK) – Bradley McDonald (BL) – Oliver Hannaford (GWV)

Northern Knights standout Zak Johnson is a repeat entrant at half-back after starring once again as the Knights thumped Oakleigh. He had 28 disposals to be the most prolific member of this week’s back line, followed by Western Jets over-ager Lachlan McArthur (27).

A couple of potential Vic Country call-ups in Oliver Hannaford and Lachie Jaques were resolute in losing sides to also earn their spots this week. Both players were competitive on the defensive end but also showed they could impact on the way out with six rebound 50s apiece.

Holding up the back six in key position posts are Thomas Barnett and Bradley McDonald. The former was superb as Calder downed Jaques’ Geelong Falcons, while the latter found his groove with five marks and six rebound 50s as the Lions Academy lost a thriller to Eastern.

MIDFIELD

C: Xavier Lindsay (GP) – Leonardo Lombard (GC) – Cohen Paul (MB)
FOL: Logan Smith (GWS) – Josh Smillie (ER) – Jagga Smith (OC)

Vic Metro squad members Josh Smillie and Jagga Smith feature in a stacked midfield this week alongside National Academy teammate Leonardo Lombard. The Victorian pair both racked up over 30 disposals, while Suns Academy star Lombard had it 28 times to stand out in a loss.

The trio will be rucked to by Giants Academy tall Logan Smith in our hypothetical squad, after he was again GWS’ best player in a heavy defeat. He won a team-high 24 disposals and 22 hitouts to cap off an outstanding Coates Talent League stint for the 204cm prospect.

Out on the wings are two players who did not spend a minute there on the weekend, but are capable of doing so. Gippsland’s Xavier Lindsay was all class through the middle with 26 touches and 10 inside 50s, while Murray’s Cohen Paul grabbed his opportunity on-ball with 27 disposals and a goal.

FORWARD

HF: Cooper Hynes (DS) – Thomas Sims (NK) – Jobe Shanahan (BP)
F: Will McLachlan (GF) – Matt Whitlock (MB) – Joe Berry (MB)

The half-forward line is dominated by the two players who featured in our Round 6 Player of the Week vote. Winner Cooper Hynes earned his spot as captain after booting five goals from 23 touches, while Thomas Sims (10 marks, seven goals) is the key position centrepiece alongside him.

Mid-season draft prospect Will McLachlan and Murray swingman Matt Whitlock joined Hynes in snagging five goals apiece over the weekend, both locking places on the full forward line. The latter is also flanked by teammate Joe Berry, who bagged his third haul of four goals this season.

National Academy member Jobe Shanahan is the final member of the forward line having produced his best game of the season in Bendigo’s remarkable final-second win over GWV. The 194cm talent clunked nine marks and slotted a goal to be recognised as the best Pioneer afield.

INTERCHANGE

INT: Cody Anderson (ER), Tom Hanily (GP), Ned Hawkins (SS), Isaac Kako (CC), Harvey Langford (DS), Zeke Uwland (GC)

EMG: Daniel Annable (BL), Archer Day-Wicks (BP), Luke Quaynor (OC)

With a stacked eight-game fixture came a tight selection squeeze, leading to three emergencies being named this week. Namely, the trio to miss out on the 24 were prolific Brisbane midfielder Daniel Annable, classy Bendigo forward Archer Day-Wicks, and competitive Oakleigh defender Luke Quaynor.

While partner-in-crime Smillie starts on-ball, Eastern midfielder Cody Anderson was hard to deny for at least a spot on the bench. The same can be said for Dandenong’s Harvey Langford, who waxed well with Hynes for 28 disposals and three goals.

In the same game as Langford, Zeke Uwland showed out to make the side for a second week running, while Swans Academy midfielder Ned Hawkins also scraped in off a loss. On winning sides, small forwards Isaac Kako (three goals) and Tom Hanily (29 disposals) were busy as ever.