NORTHERN Knights co-captain Sebastian Murphy has surged into equal-second on the Rookie Me Central Medal leaderboard after polling for the third time this season. The diminutive midfielder led all comers with 30 disposals in an upset three-point win over three-time reigning premier, Sandringham.

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Murphy is the brother of Adelaide’s Lachie, who graduated from the Knights’ program in 2016. He polled two votes in Round 8 to take his tally to eight overall, level with Lions Academy ace Daniel Annable and Western Jets midfielder Thomas McGuane. The latter polled one vote in his side’s loss to GWV Rebels.

McGuane, who picked up 29 touches, nine marks and a goal, joins outright leader Willem Duursma and first round bolter Rory Wright as the only players to have scored votes in four games. Duursma added two to his tally over the weekend after gathering 25 disposals in Gippsland’s big win over Oakleigh.

Sandringham’s Wright is also now one of three players tied for equal-fifth with seven votes. The chasing pack features seven players all with six votes, including Carlton father-son pair Harry Dean (Murray Bushrangers) and Cody Walker. Both players were adjudged best afield in their respective outings.

A few more special performances warranted the full allotment of votes this week. Player of the Week Charlie McKinnon booted eight goals to spearhead the Rebels to victory over Western, while Murphy’s co-captain Tyson Gresham kicked four from 27 disposals. He’s the brother of Essendon’s Jade.

>> CTL ROUND 8: Snapshot | Player of the Week | Team of the Week | Scouting Notes

ROUND 8 VOTES

Gippsland Power 13.14 (92) def. Oakleigh Chargers 2.14 (26)
By: Declan Reeve

3 – Luke Cheffers (Gippsland Power)
2 – Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power)
1 – Cody Templeton (Gippsland Power)

Dandenong Stingrays 13.11 (89) def. Bendigo Pioneers 8.8 (56)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Cody Walker (Bendigo Pioneers)
2 – JayDe Varlet (Dandenong Stingrays)
1 – Thomas Hose (Dandenong Stingrays)

Tasmania Devils 6.9 (45) def. by Murray Bushrangers 8.6 (54)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Harry Dean (Murray Bushrangers)
2 – Zac Harding (Murray Bushrangers)
1 – Lucas Wootton (Tasmania Devils)

GWV Rebels 14.13 (97) def. Western Jets 10.6 (66)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Charlie McKinnon (GWV Rebels)
2 – Thomas Burton (Western Jets)
1 – Thomas McGuane (Western Jets)

Northern Knights 13.11 (89) def. Sandringham Dragons 12.14 (86)
By: Declan Reeve

3 – Tyson Gresham (Northern Knights)
2 – Sebastian Murphy (Northern Knights)
1 – Nathan Driscoll (Northern Knights)

Geelong Falcons 13.6 (84) def. Calder Cannons 9.12 (66)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Angus Ford (Geelong Falcons)
2 – Hugo Mikunda (Geelong Falcons)
1 – Gus Papal (Calder Cannons)

TOP 10 LEADERBOARD

1. Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power) – 10 votes [3, 2, 3, 2]
eq. 2. Daniel Annable (Lions Academy) – 8 votes [3, 2, 3]
eq. 2. Thomas McGuane (Western Jets) – 8 votes [1, 3, 3, 1]
eq. 2. Sebastian Murphy (Northern Knights) – 8 votes [3, 3, 2]
eq. 5. Beau Addinsall (Suns Academy) – 7 votes [2, 3, 2]
eq. 5. Talor Byrne (GWV Rebels) – 7 votes [2, 3, 2]
eq. 5. Rory Wright (Sandringham Dragons) – 7 votes [2, 1, 2, 2]
eq. 8. Nicholas Andreacchio (Swans Academy) – 6 votes [3, 3]
eq. 8. Harry Dean (Murray Bushrangers) – 6 votes [3, 3]
eq. 8. Jai Saxena (Oakleigh Chargers) – 6 votes [3, 3]
eq. 8. Adam Sweid (Calder Cannons) – 6 votes [2, 2, 2]
eq. 8. Cody Walker (Bendigo Pioneers) – 6 votes [3, 3]
eq. 8. Lucas Wootton (Tasmania Devils) – 6 votes [3, 2, 1]
eq. 8. Hunter Wright (Bendigo Pioneers) – 6 votes [3, 2, 1]