GREATER Western Victoria (GWV) leads the way with four representatives in our Coates Talent League Team of the Week for Round 2. The Rebels survived a late Geelong Falcons shot on goal to take out a two-point win in their first outing since last year’s Grand Final. Check out who made the 24-player squad.

>> ROUND 2: Snapshot | Player of the Week

DEFENCE

B: Ethan Drever (GWV) – Xavier Taylor (ER) – Oliver McKenzie (ER)
HB: Josh Lindsay (GF) – Harrison Wilson (MB) – Aaron Sharkie (OC)

The defensive options were somewhat limited this week, which shows in a slightly undersized back six. Xavier Taylor and Harrison Wilson are the makeshift talls in our hypothetical lineup, standing at an average 190cm between them. It’s fair to say there’s plenty of rebound power amongst this group.

National Academy member Josh Lindsay built into Geelong’s loss to GWV, thriving with a move behind the ball to lead all comers with 25 disposals. In the same game, Rebels bottom-ager Ethan Drever was similarly prolific with 22 touches, six marks and eight rebound 50s operating off half-back.

In the same vein, Oakleigh’s Aaron Sharkie backed up an industrious Round 1 outing to collect 29 disposals and six marks in the Chargers’ big win over Northern. Barker’s Eastern teammate Oliver McKenzie (24 disposals, six rebound 50s) also makes the cut as a repeat entrant from week one.

MIDFIELD

FOL: Chad Finck (GWV) – Marlon Neocleous (GP) – Talor Byrne (GWV)
C: Rory Wright (SD) – Oliver Greeves (ER) – Toby Sinnema (DS)

There’s a familiar feel to this week’s midfield as Rory Wright and Oliver Greeves again feature in the starting lineup. Their sides went head-to-head, with Greeves (31 disposals) a standout for Eastern in its one-goal loss to Wright’s Sandringham. The latter stood up with 21 touches and seven clearances.

GWV Rebels pair Chad Finck and Talor Byrne jumped out the ground as a couple of handy top-age prospects. Finck’s dynamism in the ruck caught the eye, while Byrne’s speed and clean hands were outstanding as he racked up a team-high 23 disposals, seven inside 50s, and one goal.

A couple more livewires inject further pace to the middle third. Gippsland bottom-ager Marlon Neocleous was exciting with 19 disposals, six tackles and a goal, while Dandenong wingman Toby Sinnema proved productive with 20 touches in the same game. He’s a member of Melbourne’s Next Generation Academy.

FORWARDS

HF: Cody Templeton (GP) – Floyd Burmeister (GWV) – Cooper Herbert (CC)
F: Lachy Dovaston (ER) – Archie Ludowyke (SD) – Liam Hetherton (MB)

Player of the Week Cody Templeton captains the side at half-forward as one of three players to have booted five goals this week. The other two were Liam Hetherton and Archie Ludowyke, the latter of whom got Sandringham over the line with a last ditch major to break the deadlock.

A rather tall front six also features GWV over-ager Floyd Burmeister, who snared 3.3 in the Rebels’ thrilling victory. Eastern small Lachy Dovaston bagged three of his own for the second week running, while Calder powerhouse Cooper Herbert continues to push his case as a Mid-Season Draft contender.

INTERCHANGE

INT: Sam Grlj (OC), Felix Kneipp (CC), Rylee McHenry (TD), Jesse Mellor (GF), Hugh White (NK), Hunter Wright (BP)

Competition for spots on the bench was competitive as ever, with midfielders making their mark in Round 2. Of them, only Bendigo Pioneers prospect Hunter Wright returns from the Round 1 side, while Northern’s Hugh White edged out captain Tyson Gresham to boost the over-age numbers.

Oakleigh speedster Sam Grlj continues to take great strides and was in the thick of things as his Chargers won big. Calder’s Felix Kneipp was back to his prolific best, and Tasmanian skipper Rylee McHenry stood tall in the same game. Geelong fans will be pleased to see Cats NGA Jesse Mellor make the cut.