GIPPSLAND Power prospect Cody Templeton is our Coates Talent League Player of the Week after a dominant all-round display in Round 2. The bottom-ager booted five goals from 27 disposals, while also having three marks, clearances, and tackles in his side’s 18-point win over Dandenong Stingrays.

Templeton becomes the second Gippsland player in as many weeks to take out the honour, highlighting the region’s strong start to season 2025. It is also indicative of the Power’s depth of talent across multiple age groups, with top-age pick one contender Willem Duursma getting the nod last week.

Plying his trade as a high forward with more stints deep inside 50 during the second half, Templeton had little trouble getting his hands on the footy. Exactly half of his possessions were contested, but he managed to hurt the opposition with clinical finishing and a 70 per cent disposal efficiency rating.

The 17-year-old – born on the first day of 2008 – has shown his competitiveness, flair, and opportunism since featuring in Vic Country’s title-winning Under 16 side last year. He went on to debut for Gippsland, playing two games in 2024. Now he looms as a key figure as he navigates his bottom-age campaign.

Templeton was one of three players to claim a five-goal haul in Round 2. Sandringham Dragons spearhead Archie Ludowyke won his side the game against Eastern Ranges with his fifth, while Murray’s Liam Hetherton again stood tall inside 50 as his Bushrangers went down to Bendigo Pioneers.

In the same game as Ludowyke, Ranges co-captain Oliver Greeves was a standout with 31 disposals, eight marks, six clearances and 10 inside 50s. Over-age Bushrangers ruck Zac Harding also stuffed the stats sheet in a loss, racking up 18 disposals, 36 hitouts and eight clearances.

Talls continued to dominate around the league. Calder Cannons prospect Cooper Duff-Tytler impressed again with 24 disposals, five marks and 23 hitouts, complimented by midfielder-forward Adam Sweid. The Essendon Next Generation Academy member gathered 26 touches, five clearances and a goal.

Greater Western Victoria (GWV) had its own prominent tall/small combination with midfielder Talor Byrne (23 disposals, seven inside 50s, one goal) running amok while key forward Floyd Burmeister booted 3.3 from 17 disposals and six marks in the Rebels’ thrilling win over Geelong Falcons.

Calder, Gippsland, Sandringham and Bendigo are all locked in at 2-0 atop the ladder, with the Power and Pioneers set to do battle in Round 3. While Templeton is sure to catch the eye in that game, Round 1 Player of the Week Duursma is set to turn out for the AFL Academy against Richmond VFL on Sunday.