ALL 12 teams in action during Round 16 of the Coates Talent League are represented in our Team of the Week. Among the regions to contribute a high of three players apiece were victors Dandenong Stingrays and Northern Knights, with the 24-player squad featuring an even spread of prospects. See who made the cut.

>> 2024 CTL Round 16: Snapshot | POTW | Scouting Notes | Votes

DEFENCE

B: Max Roney (TD) – Max Mapley (TD) – Ricky Mentha (GP)
HB: Lachie Jaques (GF) – Jobe Shanahan (BP) – Lucca Grego (WJ)

Three players from one game make up half of our hypothetical backline this week. Tasmanian duo Max Mapley and Max Roney feature on the last line while Geelong Falcons captain Lachie Jaques slots in at half-back after they all stood tall in a match which saw just 10 goals kicked between the two sides.

Mapley, is supported in the key position posts by another swingman of sorts in Jobe Shanahan, who had his hands full with a couple of rampant Northern Knights talls in the Pioneers’ 54-point loss. Both players have had plenty of exposure up forward, with the 199cm over-ager Mapley also capable of rucking.

A player each from the Western-Gippsland clash round out the back six. Power utility Ricky Mentha had arguably his best game to date with 22 touches and seven rebound 50s, while Western’s Lucca Grego (22 disposals, seven marks) was stationed in midfield, but is named at half-back through necessity.

MIDFIELD

FOL: Lachlan Monteath (ER) – Harvey Langford (DS) – Luke Kennedy (SD)
C: Jack Ough (GWV, c) – Zak Johnson (NK) – Xavier Lindsay (GP)

Somewhat like the defence, this week’s midfield makeup is altered due to the sheer weight of outstanding onballers. Player of the Week Jack Ough amassed 32 disposals in the GWV engine room but is selected on a wing, with the same to be said for prolific Gippsland Power captain Xavier Lindsay.

Starting in the guts are two more club captains in Zak Johnson (Northern) and Harvey Langford (Dandenong), along with breakout Sandringham top-ager Luke Kennedy. The latter was one of four players to notch up over 30 touches in Round 16, while Johnson impacted with three goals.

Needless to say, Langford has picked up where he left off after taking out the Larke Medal at this year’s National Championships. He, along with the aforementioned pair, are rucked to by Lachlan Monteath in our lineup. The over-ager was terrific against stiff opposition with 21 disposals and 27 hitouts.

FORWARD

HF: Joe Berry (MB) – Jack Whitlock (MB) – Damon Hollow (CC)
F: Sam Toner (DS) – Thomas Sims (NK) – Archer Day-Wicks (BP)

Dandenong Stingrays second-gamer Sam Toner headlines the goalkickers this week having booted a round-high five. Tall timbre Thomas Sims (Northern) and Jack Whitlock (Murray) each managed three in their respective victories, proving capable spearheads for our hypothetical front six.

Mercurial Bendigo talent Archer Day-Wicks bagged three goals from 23 touches to also earn a starting spot, while Joe Berry comes in on a flank having posted 22 disposals and 10 marks through midfield. Calder captain Damon Hollow is another repeat entrant for his eight marks and two goals.

INTERCHANGE

INT: Oliver Greeves (ER), Elwood Peckett (DS), Gabriel Stumpf (NK), Tobie Travaglia (BP), Noah Tullio (GF), Rhys Unwin (GWV)

There are even more goals left on the bench, headlined by four from athletic Northern tall Gabriel Stumpf, two from St Kilda father-son prospect Elwood Peckett, and another pair from Bendigo utility Tobie Travaglia. The latter two are part of a strong midfield core this week along with Geelong’s Noah Tullio, who thrived in wet conditions, and Eastern bottom-ager Oliver Greeves. GWV speedster Rhys Unwin also narrowly got the nod over teammate Oliver Hannaford this week.