GEELONG Falcons dominate our Coates Talent League Team of the Week after kicking away to a thumping win over Gippsland in Round 12. It’s an exclusively Country-themed squad, with all six regions to have taken the field boasting three or more representatives in the 24-player lineup.

>> 2024 CTL Round 12: Snapshot | Player of the Week

DEFENCE

B: Noah Caracella (GF) – Zaydyn Lockwood (BP) – Josh Lindsay (GF)
HB: James Barrat (BP) – Alix Tauru (GP) – Lachlan Hogan (BP)

Bendigo’s backs held firm as the Pioneers fell one point short of Dandenong. James Barrat (18 disposals, 10 marks) continued his defensive switch, while fellow tall Zaydyn Lockwood ran out the game strongly with a ruck rotation, and Lachlan Hogan (27 disposals, one goal) racked up the ball as usual.

Flanking Lockwood on the last line is Geelong Falcons pair Josh Lindsay (21 disposals, six rebound 50s) and Noah Caracella (17 disposals, five marks). Gippsland high-flyer Alix Tauru was a standout in the same game, absorbing plenty of pressure with 17 touches and eight marks for the losing side.

MIDFIELD

FOL: Flynn Penry (GWV) – Oliver Warburton (MB) – Harry Lawson (GWV)
C: Max Donohue (GP) – Sam Lalor (GWV) – Liam Kershaw (GF)

The midfield is dominated by a trio of Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels. Headlining the lot is Sam Lalor, who made an emphatic return from injury with 34 disposals, eight marks and nine inside 50s as his side beat Murray. It was the powerful onballer’s first Coates Talent League game for the year.

Ruckman Flynn Penry (25 hitouts, eight tackles, one goal) also made his first appearance at the level this season and had an intriguing battle with Murray’s Zac Harding. Rounding out the Rebels trio is over-ager Harry Lawson, who did the tough stuff to win seven clearances and lay eight tackles.

On the opposing team, Oliver Warburton put in a typically hard-working display to rack up 30 touches through the middle and down back. While he features at the heart of the side, genuine wingmen Max Donohue (Gippsland) and Liam Kershaw (Geelong) impressed in the same game to earn berths.

FORWARD

HF: Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves (DS) – Jordan Doherty (DS) – Jobe Shanahan (BP) 
F: Joshua Murphy (MB) – Jonty Faull (GWV) – Will Mithen (GF)

It’s a tall forwardline this week, with rotating Dandenong ruck Jordan Doherty (21 disposals, three goals) squeezed into the attack. Bendigo’s Jobe Shanahan booted a game-high five majors on the opposing side, while GWV’s Jonty Faull (six marks, three goals) made the cut with another promising performance.

Murray’s 190cm power forward, and our Player of the Week, Joshua Murphy was the standout with 19 disposals, nine marks and six goals. The Allies captain now has 19 goals in just five Coates Talent League games this year, averaging 3.8 per outing to go with 4.8 marks.

He features deep inside 50 along with Geelong goalsneak Will Mithen, who snared three goals and adds some balance as a genuine small. Dandenong bottom-ager Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves hardly wasted a kick and matched Mithen’s three majors to also slot in at half-forward.

INTERCHANGE

INT: Zac Harding (MB), Oliver Johnston (GF), Xavier Lindsay (GP), Liam Masters (GP), Hugo Mikunda (GF), Charlie Orchard (DS)

Some unheralded names fill out this week’s bench. Geelong pair Oliver Johnston (four goals) and Hugo Mikunda (17 disposals, 10 inside 50s) played strong roles in the Falcons’ win. Meanwhile, defenders Liam Masters (Gippsland) and Charlie Orchard (Dandenong) snuck in for their rebound proficiency.

Gippsland captain Xavier Lindsay had his typical moments of class with 19 touches and a goal, spending plenty of time up forward in a heavy loss. Imposing Murray ruck Zac Harding was also hard to deny for his 20 disposals, six marks and 19 hitouts against quality opposition.