GREATER Western Victoria (GWV) midfielder Jack Ough is our Coates Talent League Player of the Week after stuffing the stats sheet in Round 16. The 194cm talent filled his boots with 32 disposals, eight marks, seven tackles, and five inside 50s as the Rebels fell a single point short of Calder on Sunday.

Capable of featuring on either side of midfield, Ough utilised his solid frame and clean fundamentals through the engine room to lead all comers in the tense contest. The Vic Country representative, who played a specialist wing role at the National Championships, continues to showcase his versatility.

His 32 touches marked a personal best, with Ough’s next most prolific tally being. He also posted season-highs for kicks, marks, tackles, and inside 50s in what was a true breakout performance. The monstrous haul brings Ough’s averages up to 21.2 disposals and 5.0 marks per his nine outings.

Despite boasting an array of promising talent, the Rebels’ injury hit campaign sees them sitting 12th with a 3-9 record. They remain a serious threat for the upcoming Wildcard Round, though still have fixtures against Gippsland, Oakleigh, and Geelong to play out before the postseason.

In the same game that Ough starred in, Cannons pair Patrick Said (26 disposals, 12 marks, 12 inside 50s, two goals) and Damon Hollow (22 disposals, eight marks, two goals) were both impactful. Livewire small forward Rhys Unwin also turned it on for the Rebels with 21 touches, five inside 50s and a goal.

Around the grounds, Dandenong Stingrays over-ager Sam Toner booted five goals in his side’s 81-point demolition of Eastern. He was the beneficiary of dominant midfield quartet Harrison Doughton (26 disposals), Cooper Hynes (24 & one goal), Harvey Langford (23 & one), and Elwood Peckett (19 & two).

Sandringham midfielder Luke Kennedy posted his second 30-plus disposal game, though the Dragons went down to Murray by 18 points. Star Bushrangers forwards Joe Berry (10 inside 50s, two goals) and Jack Whitlock (three goals) were influential, while Joshua Murphy booted three final quarter majors.

Northern’s Kristian Lawson racked up a round-high 35 disposals as the Knights ran rampant against Bendigo. Teammate Zak Johnson starred with 23 touches and three goals – a feat matched by adversary Archer Day-Wicks. Tobie Travaglia (22 disposals, nine tackles, two goals) also made a triumphant return.

Geelong Falcons co-captain Lachie Jaques was a standout in his side’s 17-point win over Tasmania, posting 26 disposals, seven marks and seven rebound 50s. In dour conditions, diminutive mid-forward Noah Tullio thrived to amass 23 touches and 11 tackles.

There were also typically tough conditions in Williamstown, where Gippsland defeated Western by 10 points. Power captain and leading prospect Xavier Lindsay was once again best afield, leading all comers with 26 disposals, six inside 50s and 1.3.

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)
Round 12: Joshua Murphy (Murray Bushrangers)
Round 13: Zane Cochrane (Oakleigh Chargers)
Round 14: Zac Harding (Murray Bushrangers)
Round 15: Cooper Ward (Geelong Falcons)
Round 16: Jack Ough (GWV Rebels)