A TRIO of Coates Talent League regions boast an equal-high three representatives in our Round 12 Team of the Week. The Bendigo Pioneers and Western Jets are among them after impressive victories, along with Eastern Ranges, who went down in a thrilling game against ladder leaders Gippsland Power.

>> CTL Round 12: Snapshot | Player of the Week

DEFENCE

B: Andrew Barker (ER) – Gabriel Stumpf (NK) – Toby Callow (TD)
HB: Willem Duursma (GP) – Rod Ali (ER) – Finn Davis (WJ)

Half of this week’s defence played in the one game, between Gippsland Power and Eastern Ranges. Top pick contender Willem Duursma was the Power’s representative having showcased his intercepting quality, before swinging forward to boot two crucial final quarter goals in the three-point victory.

For Eastern, over-ager Rod Ali got close to matching Duursma’s nine marks with seven of his own, teaming up with skipper Andrew Barker to cut off attacks and rebound with dare. Both players lifted their attacking output in the absence of Xavier Taylor, while maintaining defensive solidity.

Among many backs to match up on dangerous forwards, Northern’s Gabriel Stumpf kept Floyd Burmeister goalless while collecting 21 touches and 11 rebound 50s. The over-ager’s Knights were soundly beaten by Greater Western Victoria, meaning he had his hands full throughout the day.

Rounding out quite a tall defence, Allies representative Toby Callow (17 disposals, nine marks) was superb in Tasmania’s win over Sandringham. Western top-ager Finn Davis continued his prolific form with 25 disposals (21 kicks) as the Jets’ main distributor in their five-goal win over Calder.

MIDFIELD

FOL: Flynn Penry (GWV) – Brodie Atkins (GP) – Cody Gardiner (MB)
C: Max Thompson (BP) – Xavier Bamert (SD) – Blake Chambers (ER)

There were some brave performances among our midfield mix, perhaps none more so than that of Sandringham skipper Xavier Bamert. The crash-and-bash ball winner was sporting tape around his head and had a jumper change en route his 28 disposals, six marks and one goal.

Murray Bushrangers midfielder Cody Gardiner bagged three of his side’s five majors to go with a game-high 23 touches, also earning his spot on-ball. Gippsland bull Brodie Atkins also led all comers, albeit on the winning side, with 30 disposals and seven clearances against the Ranges.

Rucking to our hypothetical centre bounce trio is Greater Western Victoria big man Flynn Penry. The towering 201cm over-ager racked up 24 disposals, seven marks, seven clearances, and 31 hitouts in an imposing performance. He was difficult to deny in a strong lineup of rucks this week.

Football purists will rejoice to see two genuine wingmen selected in the role once again. Eastern’s Blake Chambers put his elite kicking on show with 20 touches, while 16-year-old Bendigo Pioneers prospect Max Thompson showed plenty of smarts to snare 1.2 from 16 disposals and seven marks.

FORWARD

HF: Oskar Ainsworth (WJ) – Angus Hoyne (BP) – Talor Byrne (GWV)
F: Khaled El Souki (WJ) – Tairon Ah-Mu (DS) – Taj Robinson (CC)

Player of the Week Oskar Ainsworth features at half-forward after his exploits earned a call-up to the Vic Metro training squad. He bagged five goals from 21 disposals, also posting 10 marks and five clearances. Fittingly, his five majors proved the exact difference between Western and Calder.

Fellow Jet Khaled El Souki also had a day out and finished strongly, booting 4.4 and laying seven tackles. He’s tied to the Western Bulldogs Next Generation Academy for next year. Calder’s best form of response came from Taj Robinson, who returned his second consecutive four-goal game.

In a positive step towards Vic Country selection, Talor Byrne was superb with 22 disposals and three goals as a permanent forward for Greater Western Victoria. His speed and work rate up the ground were terrific, along with several desperate defensive efforts including nine tackles.

This week’s tall timber comes in the form of Dandenong enforcer Tairon Ah-Mu and Bendigo bottom-ager Angus Hoyne. The former was difficult to stop inside 50 with 2.2 and six marks, while the latter showcased a clean set of hands en route his six marks and three goals.

INTERCHANGE

INT: Jack Dodorico (CC), Seb Murphy (NK), Keanu Nadji (SD), JayDe Varlet (DS), Cody Walker (BP), Lucas Wootton (TD)

Along with Ainsworth’s Vic Metro promotion, Dandenong powerhouse JayDe Varlet has earned his shot for Vic Country after an industrious 19 disposals and five inside 50s. He could well line up alongside star bottom-ager Cody Walker, who bullocked his way to 22 touches and six inside 50s for Bendigo.

Among those to stand tall in losses included Northern midfielder Seb Murphy (28 disposals) and Calder defender Jack Dodorico (19 disposals, six marks). Sandringham defender Keanu Nadji was also rock solid against Lucas Wootton‘s Tasmania Devils, with both players rounding out the bench.