GIPPSLAND Power has swept the top gongs at this year’s Coates Talent League awards night, taking out best and fairest honours in both the boys and girls competitions. Xavier Lindsay was crowned the Morrish Medal winner, while Ash Centra was named the girls best and fairest player.

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Lindsay became the Power’s first Morrish winner in a decade, after the region produced five different winners between 2008-2014. He becomes Gippsland’s seventh victor overall having captained the side in 12 games this season, averaging 23.4 disposals, 4.0 marks, and 5.2 inside 50s.

What’s more, Lindsay’s feat comes after his campaign was cut short due to a PCL injury in Round 19. He battled through a few different niggles throughout the year but did enough to win the count with 21 votes, two ahead of Dandenong Stingrays co-captain Cooper Hynes.

Oakleigh Chargers star Jagga Smith tied for third place on 18 votes alongside Calder Cannons utility and Essendon NGA member Jayden Nguyen. With Eastern’s Josh Smillie rounding out the top five on 17 votes, four club captains featured among the top rungs of the leaderboard.

2024 MORRISH MEDAL LEADERBOARD

1. Xavier Lindsay (Gippsland Power) – 21 votes
2. Cooper Hynes (Dandenong Stingrays) – 19
eq. 3. Jagga Smith (Oakleigh Chargers) – 18
eq. 3. Jayden Nguyen (Calder Cannons) – 18
5. Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges) – 17
6. Zak Johnson (Northern Knights) – 16
7. Damon Hollow (Calder Cannons) – 15
8. Tobie Travaglia (Bendigo Pioneers) – 13
9. Isaac Kako (Calder Cannons) – 12
eq. 10. Cody Anderson (Eastern Ranges) – 11
eq. 10. Xavier Kardachi (Western Jets) – 11
eq. 10. Harvey Langford (Dandenong Stingrays) -11

>> Consistency the key as Smith jags Rookie Me Central Medal

Centra became Gippsland’s first ever girls best and fairest after storming to top spot with 25 votes. The classy utility, lauded for her poise, ball use, and versatility, averaged 27.7 disposals, 4.4 marks, and booted 18 goals in 13 games to further stamp herself as one of the nation’s absolute best prospects.

2023 winner Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons) finished in third spot this time around with 19 votes to her name, one behind runner-up Lou Painter (Bendigo Pioneers). Along with Centra, the trio starred together in Vic Country’s engine room during the AFLW Under 18 National Championships.

A pair of Northern Knights also made the cut in this year’s top five. Holly Ridewood landed in fourth with 18 votes, while bottom-ager Marlo Graham racked up 17 to tie with Dandenong Stingrays tall Zoe Besanko in equal-fifth. Besanko was yet another Vic Country representative on the leaderboard.

2024 CTL GIRLS B&F LEADERBOARD

1. Ash Centra (Gippsland Power) – 25 votes
2. Lou Painter (Bendigo Pioneers) – 20
3. Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons) – 19
4. Holly Ridewood (Northern Knights) – 18
eq. 5. Marlo Graham (Northern Knights) – 17
eq. 5. Zoe Besanko (Dandenong Stingrays) – 17
6. Tayla McMillan (Eastern Ranges) – 15
eq. 7. Chloe Bown (Oakleigh Chargers) – 14
eq. 7. Sarah Poustie (Oakleigh Chargers) – 14
eq. 9. Mischa Barwin (Tasmania Devils) – 13
eq. 9. Millie Lang (GWV Rebels) – 13

>> Reynolds claims Rookie Me Central Medal

Sandringham Dragons co-captain Levi Ashcroft has become a two-time Coates Talent League Team of the Year member. Also gunning for his third consecutive premiership this Saturday, the Brisbane Lions father-son gun joined big brother Will in earning dual Team of the Year nods over the last four years.

Oakleigh’s Smith captains the team, which takes into account form from this year’s Under 18 National Championships, and further representative showcases. The midfielder was also All Australian captain, named in midfield alongside Ashcroft and Larke Medal winner, Harvey Langford.

Reigning premier Sandringham is the most represented region with five players in the team, while Murray Bushrangers (four) was the only other club to have more than two representatives. Barring over-age ruck Lucas Impey, all selected players fall into the top-age (2005-born) category.

>> 2024 Rookie Me Central Team of the Year

2024 COATES TALENT LEAGUE BOYS TOTY

B: Lachie Jaques – Matt Whitlock – Alix Tauru
HB: Tobie Travaglia – Luke Trainor – Harrison Oliver
C: Xavier Lindsay – Levi Ashcroft – Murphy Reid
HF: Joe Berry – Jobe Shanahan – Josh Smillie
F: Cooper Hynes – Jack Whitlock – Isaac Kako
FOL: Lucas Impey – Harvey Langford – Jagga Smith (c)

INT: Harry Armstrong, Lenny Douglas, Oliver Hannaford, Zak Johnson, Christian Moraes, Joshua Murphy

>> 2024 Rookie Me Central Team of the Year

Meanwhile in the girls Team of the Year, National Championships MVP Sierra Grieves features at the heart of the side. Vic Country MVP Howley was named on the wing opposite to Oakleigh’s Sarah Poustie, while best and fairest podium finisher Painter and Maggie Mahony also start on-ball.

Defender Sienna Tallariti captains the team. She is part of a Chargers side which is in pursuit of a second consecutive premiership. The dominant Metro region boasts a high of five representatives, while fellow grand finalist Eastern Ranges lays claim to the next best tally of three.

A few familiar names were selected. League best and fairest Centra slotted in at half-forward, in the same attack as Carlton father-daughter candidate Sophie McKay. Down back, Murray’s Holly Egan earned a spot. She’s the sister of current Richmond midfielder, Grace.

Unlike the boys team, several bottom-agers have earned berths to set up the potential for multiple Team of the Year selections. Tasmanian midfield bull Priya Bowering was one, along with Oakleigh’s Chloe Bown, and Eastern Ranges ruck Josephine Bamford.

2024 COATES TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS TOTY

B: Millie Lang – Daisy Flockart – Kyla Forbes
HB: Holly Egan – Sienna Tallariti (c) – Jemmika Douglas
C: Sarah Poustie – Sierra Grieves – Sara Howley
HF: Ash Centra – Emma McDonald – Priya Bowering
F: Sophie McKay – Zoe Besanko – Georgia Knight
FOL: Josephine Bamford – Maggie Mahony – Lou Painter

INT: Grace Belloni, Chloe Bown, Claire Mahony, Ava Read, Holly Ridewood, Jemma Reynolds

2024 BOYS PERSONAL GROWTH AWARD

Winner: Liam Callaghan (Oakleigh Chargers)
Finalists: Adrian Cole (Sandringham Dragons), Lucca Grego (Western Jets)

2024 GIRLS PERSONAL GROWTH AWARD

Winner: Annabelle Glossop (GWV Rebels)
Finalists: Alexis Gregor (Bendigo Pioneers), Rose Milthorpe (Murray Bushrangers)