LOCAL rivals Sandringham Dragons may have stolen the last laugh, but Oakleigh Chargers came away with a high of four representatives in our Coates Talent League Team of the Week for Round 3. Every region contributed to this week’s edition – see who made the cut of our 24-player squad.

>> CTL ROUND 3: Snapshot | Player of the Week

DEFENCE

B: Tom Evans (BP) – Zac Walker (GP) – Xavier Taylor (ER)
HB: Aaron Sharkie (OC) – Ben Kennedy (MB) – Ryan Commandeur (NK)

Unlike last week, there was a wealth of defensive options for our hypothetical back six, including a few quality talls. Over-agers Zac Walker (Gippsland) and Ben Kennedy (Murray) were near impenetrable as interceptors, clunking 10 and eight marks respectively to be the tall pillars of this week’s backline.

Resolute Eastern Ranges prospect Xavier Taylor also proved difficult to beat, taking four marks among his 17 touches and five rebound 50s. It was essentially a choice between Taylor and teammate Rod Ali (11 disposals, seven marks) for the third tall spot in defence, with the former winning out to feature again.

Bendigo’s Tom Evans stuffed the stats sheet with a season-high 44 disposals in the Pioneers’ losing effort. He provided plenty of rebound power, as did Northern’s Ryan Commandeur (26 disposals, 10 marks, nine rebound 50s) and Oakleigh playmaker Aaron Sharkie (26 disposals, six inside 50s).

MIDFIELD

FOL: Zac McCarthy (OC) – Adam Sweid (CC) – Tanner Armstrong (MB)
C: Jaidi Jackson-Leahy (BP) – Thomas McGuane (WJ) – Rory Wright (SD)

A balanced midfield features an on-ball group made up exclusively of club-tied players. Oakleigh ruck Zac McCarthy and Western midfielder Thomas McGuane boosted their stocks as Collingwood-bound prospects, with the latter named our Player of the Week for his 38 disposals and 10 clearances.

Essendon Next Generation Academy (NGA) product Adam Sweid continues to impress after racking up 30 touches and nine tackles in Calder’s loss to Northern. Combative bottom-ager Tanner Armstrong (Richmond NGA) also stood tall in Murray’s defeat with a game-high 24 disposals.

A pair of genuine wingmen take up their place on the outside. Bendigo’s Jaidi Jackson-Leahy bagged 12 marks and showed poise with his 24 touches, also nabbing a goal. Emerging Sandringham midfielder Rory Wright makes his way in for a third consecutive week after posting 24 disposals and nine marks.

FORWARDS

HF: Jai Saxena (OC) – Floyd Burmeister (GWV) – Jesse Mellor (GF)
F: Mitchell Hansen (ER) – Tairon Ah-Mu (DS) – Hussien El Achkar (CC)

The club-tied theme spills into this week’s forwardline, which is littered with three NGA candidates. Oakleigh surprise packet Jai Saxena popped up with five goals to slot in at half-forward, adding to the excitement of Collingwood fans. The 179cm livewire burst onto the scene last week and consolidated it.

Calder’s Hussien El Achkar (17 disposals, 3.5) is tied to Essendon, while Geelong’s Jesse Mellor (21 disposals, eight tackles, two goals) is a Cats prospect who impressed this week. While ineligible, Tairon Ah-Mu (16 disposals, eight marks, 2.5) also spent time in Melbourne’s NGA program.

Eastern power forward Mitchell Hansen was the round’s other five-goal hero, doing so from just nine touches. He features in the forward pocket, while athletic GWV Rebels tall Floyd Burmeister broke a tough matchup to have 12 disposals and six marks, though only managed four minor scores.

INTERCHANGE

INT: Xavier Bamert (SD), Kye Fincher (SD), Angus Ford (GF), Max Kondogiannis (OC), Zac O’Keefe (GP), Callum Smith (DS)

There’s some versatility on the bench, for a change, with players able to rotate onto each line making the cut. Sandringham pair Xavier Bamert and Kye Fincher snuck in ahead of some Oakleigh counterparts, though Chargers defender Max Kondogiannis was a lock after reeling in seven marks down back.

Geelong small Angus Ford bagged three goals in a crafty performance, while Dandenong midfielder Callum Smith – the grandson of Richmond legend Kevin Bartlett – broke out with 25 touches and a goal. Gippsland midfielder-forward Zac O’Keefe rounds out the side after an outing full of creativity.