ROUND 10 adversaries GWV Rebels and Dandenong Stingrays lay claim to a high of three representatives each in our Coates Talent League Team of the Week, after what was a hard fought weekend of action. With three games decided by a goal or less, see who survived the selection squeeze.

>> 2024 CTL Round 10: Snapshot | POTW

DEFENCE

B: Jack Skinner (GF) – Mitchell Lloyd (GWV) – Connor Evans (BP)
HB: Ollie Hannaford (GWV) – Lucas Tovey (OC) – Jayden Nguyen (CC)

Five of the six players selected in our defence this week suffered losses, but were valuable contributors nonetheless. The sole victor was Calder Cannons speedster Jayden Nguyen, who posted 10 inside 50s and a goal from his 20 touches in the 36-point win over Oakleigh.

On the opposite team, Chargers tall Lucas Tovey was resolute with eight marks in what was largely a one-sided affair. Similar can be said for Jack Skinner of the Geelong Falcons, who gave up a great deal of height to Murray’s Matt Whitlock but did an admirable job on him to earn selection.

GWV Rebels duo Mitchell Lloyd (16 disposals, seven marks) and Oliver Hannaford (20 disposals, seven rebound 50s) are repeat entrants having again been among their sides’ bests. Fellow Vic Country squad member Connor Evans (23 disposals, seven marks) was also superb in Bendigo’s loss to Gippsland.

MIDFIELD

FOL: Jordan Doherty (DS) – Jagga Smith (OC), Lucca Grego (WJ)
C: Tobie Travaglia (BP) – Cooper Hynes (DS) – Liam Kershaw (GF)

Round 9 Player of the Week Jagga Smith again features at the heart of our hypothetical side after backing up his 50 disposals with another 40 in Round 10. The Oakleigh skipper is joined at the centre bounces by two more captains in Cooper Hynes (Dandenong) and Lucca Grego (Western).

Rucking to the trio is Hynes’ fellow Stingray, Jordan Doherty. The over-ager posted 27 disposals and six marks in a dynamic display. Tobie Travaglia lifted in the final quarter for Bendigo in a game where he reverted back to the wing, while Geelong’s Liam Kershaw was excellent there before shifting to defence.

FORWARD

HF: Noah Christy (GP) – Jack Whitlock (MB) – Toby Callow (TD)
F: Jack Gerardi (WJ) – Jonty Faull (GWV) – James Barrat (BP)

The centrepiece of this week’s forwardline is Player of the Week Jonty Faull, who made a magnificent return from injury with five goals in GWV’s loss to Dandenong. He was only outdone on the scoresheet by Western small Jack Gerardi, whose six goals helped steer the Jets home against Northern.

Along with Faull, plenty of talls came to the fore in Round 10. Jack Whitlock kicked two goals as he gets back to top form, while Bendigo’s James Barrat bagged three and took four strong marks to earn his place. Up on the flanks, Noah Christy (four goals) and Toby Callow (six marks) also showed promise.

INTERCHANGE

INT: Jesse Craven (GP), Harry Elmer (TD), Ryan Eyre (CC), Harvey Langford (DS), Will McCarthy (MB), Gabriel Stumpf (NK)

The selection of tall forwards spills out onto the bench, where Northern’s Gabriel Stumpf features. A similar story for the wings sees Murray’s Will McCarthy also make the cut, while Calder over-ager Ryan Eyre could have been a starter in midfield or defence. On-ballers Jesse Craven and Harvey Langford were hard to deny for spots, and the same can be said for Tasmanian rebound defender Harry Elmer.