BENDIGO Pioneers prospect Tobie Travaglia is our Coates Talent League Player of the Week after a dominant performance in Round 11. The utility posted 28 disposals, seven tackles, five inside 50s and three goals despite his side suffering an 11-point loss to Sandringham Dragons on Sunday.

Travaglia has emerged as the ultimate all-rounder in this year’s draft crop. Having cut his teeth on the wing last year, he starred down back to start his top-age campaign before earning stints in the midfield, and even a rotation forward. With great range, work rate and athleticism, he is the complete package.

Now averaging 25.4 disposals, 4.8 marks and 5.0 tackles per his eight Coates Talent League outings, Travaglia continues to rise in draft stocks. His consistency of effort has translated to the big stage, where he was terrific in defence for the National Academy and more recently, Vic Country.

Teammates James Barrat (23 disposals, 10 marks, 12 rebound 50s), Archer Day-Wicks (22 disposals, three goals), and Lachlan Hogan (28 disposals) were also outstanding in the Pioneers’ loss. Barrat’s shift to defence is perhaps a sighter for the role he may play for Vic Country going forward.

Travaglia will again turn out for Bendigo on Saturday afternoon in a clash against Dandenong Stingrays at Shepley Oval. The Pioneers sit 11th with a 4-4 record after starting the season 4-0. Vic Country’s next fixture is an away trip to face Western Australia at Claremont Oval on June 29.

Around the grounds in Round 11, Cooper Hynes and Harvey Langford combined for over 50 touches and four goals in Dandenong’s win over Oakleigh. Midfielder Kane Emery (25 disposals, two goals) was the Chargers’ main form of resistance as the two sides went head-to-head under lights in Frankston.

Gippsland Power defender Alix Tauru made an emphatic return with 23 disposals and nine marks in his side’s win over Murray. Skipper Xavier Lindsay (20 disposals, two goals) was also superb through the middle having been squeezed out to the wing in Vic Country colours.

Some of Calder’s prime movers filled their boots in an 11-point victory over Eastern. Nash King put his hand up for Vic Metro selection with a game-high 30 disposals, closely followed by captain Damon Hollow (27), Isaac Kako (25), and Patrick Said (24, three goals).

Northern co-captain Zak Johnson also made an emphatic return as the Knights went down handily to Geelong. The midfielder racked up 28 touches, nine marks and a goal to make it six straight games of 27 touches or more. He has only dropped below that mark once this season, in Round 2.

Tasmania held firm to remain in top spot with a 15-point victory over GWV Rebels. The defeated side was served well by defenders Harry Charleson (27 disposals) and Mitchell Lloyd (23 and 10 marks), while Allies Oliver Depaoli-Kubank (23 disposals) and Lenny Douglas (three goals) starred for the Devils.

2024 COATES TALENT LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Round 1: Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges)
Round 2: Taj Hotton (Sandringham Dragons)
Round 3: Will McLachlan (Geelong Falcons)
Round 4: N/A
Round 5: Bailey McKenzie (Sandringham Dragons)
Round 6: Cooper Hynes (Dandenong Stingrays)
Round 7: Xavier Lindsay (Gippsland Power)
Round 8: Geordie Payne (Tasmania Devils)
Round 9: Jagga Smith (Oakleigh Chargers)
Round 10: Jonty Faull (GWV Rebels)
Round 11: Tobie Travaglia (Bendigo Pioneers)