A PAIR of mid-season draftees feature in our Talent League Team of the Week, with Round 9 winners Tasmania, Murray, and Eastern all contributing three players apiece to the 24-man squad. All bar one region from the weekend’s action is represented – see who made the cut.

>> 2024 CTL Round 9: Snapshot | POTW | Scouting Notes | Votes

DEFENCE

B: Lachie Jaques (GF) – Mitchell Lloyd (GWV) – Alex Swinnerton (MB)
HB: Zak Johnson (NK) – Max Mapley (TD) – Harry Charleson (GWV)

There was no shortage of disposals among our hypothetical back six this week, with the group averaging 27 touches between them. Northern Knights captain Zak Johnson was most prolific with 32 in a loss to Max Mapley‘s Tasmania, as the latter helped himself to eight marks and seven rebound 50s.

Half of the defence is comprised of players from the Geelong-GWV clash. Rebels tall Mitchell Lloyd (26 disposals, eight marks) and Harry Charleson (30 and seven) were resolute against Lachie Jaques‘ Falcons, who won by 36 points. Jaques notched 28 touches, matched by Murray small Alex Swinnerton.

MIDFIELD

FOL: Jasper Hay (TD) – Jagga Smith (OC) – Josh Smillie (ER)
C: Tom Hanily (GP) – Damon Hollow (CC) – Oliver Poole (BP)

Unlike other weeks, the midfield selection was a lot less tight with a few obvious picks and a couple of faux wingers to ensure all of the well performed forwards could squeeze in. At the heart of the side is Player of the Week Jagga Smith, whose 50 disposals fell just shy of breaking competition records.

The Oakleigh captain is joined by Eastern skipper and fellow top five prospect Josh Smillie, who booted two goals from 34 touches in a win over Bendigo. Potential Vic Metro teammate and Calder captain Damon Hollow rounds out a well balanced centre bounce trio made of leadership material.

Rucking to them is Tasmanian bottom-ager Jasper Hay, who was imperious against Northern. Over-agers Oliver Poole (four goals) and Tom Hanily (21 disposals, two goals) are the makeshift wings this week, with the latter also moving on to higher honours with Sydney via the mid-season draft.

FORWARD

HF: Massimo Raso (WJ) – Matt Whitlock (MB) – Patrick Said (CC)
F: Will McLachlan (GF) – James Barrat (BP) – Charlie Bovill (TD)

The spearheads were sharp in Round 9, none more so than 16-year-old Tasmanian debutant Charlie Bovill, who started his Talent League career with a bag of five goals. Murray Bushrangers swingman Matt Whitlock matched that effort, but both were outdone by new Lions draftee Will McLachlan‘s six majors.

Bendigo’s James Barrat booted 4.4 to slot in at full forward after an emphatic return. Diminutive flankers Patrick Said (17 disposals, three goals) and Massimo Raso (17 and two) also hit the scoreboard and offer a bit of support for our hypothetical midfield. Both are first time entrants for the season this week.

INTERCHANGE

INT: Brodie Atkins (GP), Joe Berry (MB), Jordan Hider (ER), Remy MacLean (ER), Christian Olivieri (WJ), Luke Quaynor (OC)

The goalkickers leak out onto our Round 9 bench, including Eastern tall/small pair Remy MacLean (four goals) and Jordan Hider (three). Western small Christian Olivieri and Murray’s Joe Berry chimed in with three apiece, while even Gippsland bottom-ager Brodie Atkins snared one from midfield to go with 11 tackles. Oakleigh defender Luke Quaynor also makes the cut for another strong performance, registering 13 rebound 50s in a losing side.