THE 2024 Rookie Me Central Coates Talent League Team of the Year has been finalised, with the original squad of 48 cut down to 24. After weekly nominations throughout a 19-round regular season, the competition’s best, most dominant and consistent players were selected.

>> Full Squad: 2024 RMC Coates Talent League Team of the Year

Conversely to the official team, representative form was not considered and there was a five-game minimum to qualify. The latter stipulation means those from Northern Academies were not considered, although all 13 full-time regions from Victoria and Tasmania are represented.

Joint Rookie Me Central medallists Jagga Smith and Josh Smillie co-captain the side after stellar seasons. Both have been named in the starting on-ball group and share the status of being pick one contenders. They teamed up this year in Vic Metro’s title-winning Under 18 team.

Smith averaged 34.2 disposals across 10 games in a remarkably consistent campaign. Among his best performances was a 50-disposal effort, and two more over 40. Smillie played 12 games in his third season at the level, averaging a tick over 25 touches and one goal per outing.

While a pair of Metro representatives captain the team, two Vic Country teammates earned the most nominations throughout the year (nine). Namely, they are Dandenong Stingrays star and Larke Medalist Harvey Langford, and Bendigo Pioneers swingman James Barrat.

Murray Bushrangers are the most represented region with four players, while the Pioneers and Stingrays boast three apiece. A further four teams lay claim to multiple entrants, with the remaining six represented once each. Check out who made the cut below.

DEFENDERS

B: Mitchell Lloyd (GWV) – James Barrat (BP) – Lucca Grego (WJ)
HB: Lachie Jaques (GF) – Matt Whitlock (MB) – Tobie Travaglia (BP)

There is a distinct Country feel to the backline, with Western Jets captain Lucca Grego the only Metro-based selection. He was a standout for the Jets in many of his 13 games this year, averaging 22.6 disposals, 4.8 marks, and 5.2 inside 50s playing predominantly as a midfielder.

Bendigo has two players who feature in the back six. Barrat is one after his stunning back-end to the year, where he averaged 19.7 disposals, 8.9 marks, and 7.3 rebound 50s in his last seven games. All that came after booting 18 goals in his opening six outings as a forward.

His exploits earned him a call-up to the Vic Country squad, where he was reunited with club teammate Tobie Travaglia. The latter, a true utility, played on every line this year across 12 games. He averaged 23.6 disposals, 4.3 marks, and 6.4 tackles and is the region’s leading talent.

Along with Barrat, aerial support comes in the form of Mitchell Lloyd (GWV Rebels) and Matt Whitlock (Murray Bushrangers). The former averaged over five marks and rebound 50s in 15 resolute games, while the latter was utilised at both ends of the ground as a versatile and athletic tall option.

Rounding out the back six is Geelong Falcons co-captain Lachie Jaques. The fifth Vic Country representative in our backline, he put up averages of 23.2 disposals, 6.2 marks, and 5.2 rebound 50s in 13 appearances, showcasing terrific dash and dare off half-back.

MIDFIELDERS

FOL: Jordan Doherty (DS) – Josh Smillie (ER) – Jagga Smith (OC)
C: Xavier Lindsay (GP) – Harvey Langford (DS) – Christian Moraes (ER)

Along with our two co-captains – Smith and Smillie – Langford has also been selected to front the on-ball brigade. His selection marks that of yet another club captain, with the Stingrays standout proving remarkably consistent this season to post averages of 25.8 disposals, 5.5 marks, and 5.4 tackles.

As is the pet peeve of most football fans, our two wingman did not play the majority of the season in said position. Nonetheless, our selections – Xavier Lindsay and Christian Moraes – are both capable of playing a variety of roles and have featured on the wing across the journey.

Gippsland captain Lindsay averaged over 23 touches per his 12 games for the second season running, turning out predominantly as a midfielder with stints forward. Moraes played a similar role and was renowned for his running with averages of 23.8 disposals and 1.5 goals per game.

Both Eastern and Dandenong are represented twice in the middle line of the field, with the Stingrays having ruck Jordan Doherty join Langford at the hypothetical centre bounces. The over-ager has translated his game well after a significant growth spurt, and is an athletic tall option.

FORWARDS

HF: Joe Berry (MB) – Jobe Shanahan (BP) – Cooper Hynes (DS)
F: Isaac Kako (CC) – Jack Whitlock (MB) – Joshua Murphy (MB)

Three of Murray’s league-high four representatives feature in the forward line, and were amongst the competition’s leading goalkickers. Joshua Murphy topped the charts with 32 majors in 11 games, including three seperate hauls of six. He was kept goalless just twice.

He features on the full forward line next to teammate Jack Whitlock, whose best effort was a bag of five among 25 overall goals. Crafty small Joe Berry rounds out the Bushies up forward, having booted multiple goals in half of his 14 games, including four hauls of four for 27 overall majors.

Along with Whitlock, who joins twin brother Matt in the team, Bendigo’s Jobe Shanahan is another key position pillar. The 194cm aerialist had games yielding three, four, five, and six goals this season, while also spending some time down back and at the centre bounces late in the campaign.

Rounding out the attack is Dandenong Stingrays powerhouse Cooper Hynes. The 190cm midfielder-forward co-captained his region alongside good mate Langford, putting up some dominant games to average 24.8 disposals, 4.7 inside 50s, and 1.6 goals per his 13 appearances.

INTERCHANGE

INT: Oliver Hannaford (GWV), Damon Hollow (CC), Zak Johnson (NK), Connor Ling (TD), Murphy Reid (SD), Thomas Sims (NK)

There is some versatility on our bench, which features a selection of nailed-on midfielders, a tall, and players who can plug in at either end of the ground. Arguably the most highly touted talent is Sandringham star Murphy Reid, who snuck in off the back of just six – albeit outstanding – games.

He is the Dragons’ lone representative, with the same to be Tasmania Devils leader Connor Ling. He was a reliable figure all season, playing 15 games for averages of exactly 20 disposals and 5.6 tackles. The midfielder was also recently named Tasmania’s best and fairest.

Northern’s two squad members – Zak Johnson and Thomas Sims – also feature on the bench. The former played on all three lines with a base in midfield, averaging 25.8 disposals as captain. Sims was the side’s spearhead, booting 23 goals with game-winning hauls of five and seven.

Yet another club captain, Damon Hollow (Calder) was another lock. The tough nut kicked nearly a goal per game while hitting the height of 27 touches twice. Another fierce competitor to make the cut is GWV’s Oliver Hannaford, whose hard edge was an asset at either end of the ground this year.