SANDRINGHAM Dragons’ win to reclaim pole position in the Coates Talent League sees the reigning premier boast a high of four players in our Round 18 Team of the Week. Fellow victors Gippsland Power and Murray Bushrangers are the next most represented regions with three players apiece. See who made the cut.

>> CTL Round 18: Player of the Week | Snapshot

DEFENCE

B: Lachie Jaques (GF) – James Barrat (BP) – Harrison Oliver (SD)
HB: Oliver Warburton (MB) – Luke Trainor (SD) – Thomas Burton (WJ)

The defence is dominated by representatives from the Sandringham-Geelong clash, which the Dragons comfortably took out on home turf. Flankers Harrison Oliver (19 disposals, seven rebound 50s) and Lachie Jaques (27 disposals, 10 marks) were outstanding with their ball use and intercept ability respectively for either side.

They take up spots in the pockets, and Oliver is joined by teammate Luke Trainor in the back six. The National Academy member racked up 33 touches and 10 marks, taking up aggressive positions. Bendigo swingman James Barrat (19 disposals, eight marks) is the other tall defender having been his side’s best player in a heavy loss.

Up across half-back, Murray running machine Oliver Warburton led all comers with 30 disposals in his side’s thumping 94-point win over Western. That result wasn’t without resistance from Jets bottom-ager Thomas Burton. The prolific rebounder posted 26 touches and five tackles as he continues his return from APS football.

MIDFIELD

FOL: Cooper Duff-Tytler (CC) – Jagga Smith (OC) – Murphy Reid (SD)
C: Lucas Wootton (TD) – Levi Ashcroft (SD) – Xavier Ivisic (GF)

Player of the Week Cooper Duff-Tytler skippers the side, and gets the honour of rucking to a stacked midfield group. He found plenty of the ball himself in the Cannons’ 21-point defeat to Dandenong. The bottom-ager posted a remarkable 30 disposals, 10 marks, 17 hitouts and two goals.

Joining him at the centre bounces is Jagga Smith, who was clearly best afield in Oakleigh’s loss to GWV with 42 disposals. Only Vic Metro teammate Levi Ashcroft had more of the ball this week with 46 touches, slotting in alongside Sandringham teammate Murphy Reid, who racked up 39.

This week’s wingmen are somewhat makeshift placeholders, given they are capable of playing there but were utilised on the inside. Geelong’s Xavier Ivisic (22 disposals, seven marks, seven tackles) battled hard in a loss, while Lucas Wootton (25 disposals, one goal) was among Tasmania’s best in a big win.

FORWARD

HF: Jesse Dattoli (NK) – Louis Emmett (OC) – Joshua Murphy (MB)
F: Oliver Hannaford (GWV) – Jack Whitlock (MB) – Alix Tauru (GP)

Murray Bushrangers pair Joshua Murphy and Jack Whitlock ran riot in Round 18, combining for 11 goals to be absolute locks in the forwardline. GWV Rebels goer Oliver Hannaford also impacted the scoreboard in a big way, slotting five majors to play a crucial hand in his side’s narrow win over Oakleigh.

Speaking of the Chargers, bottom-age tall Louis Emmett was hard to deny for the second key position slot. He put on an imposing 28 disposals, eight marks, 20 hitouts and two goals to make the side – needing a Player of the Week performance by Duff-Tytler to keep him from the starting ruck spot.

Gippsland was a nine-point winner over Northern on Sunday, and both sides are represented in our hypothetical attack. Power swingman Alix Tauru flew at everything, while Knights small Jesse Dattoli showcased his craft inside 50 to make the cut. Both players also booted three goals.

INTERCHANGE

INT: Jordan Doherty (DS), Asher Eastham (GP), Henry Hayes (DS), Connor Ling (TD), Jack Ough (GWV), Max Stobie (GP)

It’s an all-Country bench this week, headlined by a pair of Stingrays and Power players. Dandenong ruck Jordan Doherty popped up at crucial stages in a battle Duff-Tytler and is joined by teammate Henry Hayes, who produced a breakthrough 24 disposals, 11 marks, and 10 inside 50s.

Gippsland is represented by midfielder Max Stobie and swingman Asher Eastham. The former snared two goals from 30 touches, while the latter took 11 marks and was integral to the result with his work at both ends of the ground – particularly once swung forward late in the piece.

A slew of outstanding midfield performances sees Tasmania’s Connor Ling (28 disposals, one goal) and GWV’s Jack Ough (29 disposals, one goal) squeezed out to the bench. They were hard to deny for the final squad though, especially as their respective sides’ leading ball winners.