BENDIGO Pioneers defender Tom Evans is one of two over-age players to have moved up the Rookie Me Central Medal leaderboard after Round 15, slotting into equal-third. The prolific rebound runner polled two votes in the Pioneers’ resounding 111-point win over Murray to take his overall tally to 10.

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With a second straight 38-disposal performance, Evans takes his season average up to 30.7 from 10 games. He was still beaten out to best afield honours this week by fellow 2006-born talent Zaydyn Lockwood, who amassed a rare triple-double of 29 disposals, 10 marks, and 24 hitouts in the ruck.

The maximum three-vote game marked the first time Lockwood has polled this season. Meanwhile, Geelong Falcons backman Kobe George joined Evans as the only over-agers on the current leaderboard after his own two-vote game, as the Falcons thumped Western Jets by 70 points on Saturday.

George racked up 31 disposals, eight marks, five rebound 50s, and a goal to join a group of eight players tied for sixth with eight votes. Player of the Week Jack Pickett was best afield in that game after booting seven straight goals from 10 disposals and six marks. The bottom-ager is a Vic Country representative.

Another 2026-eligible talent in Arki Butler also polled three votes for his goalkicking exploits, bagging five majors in Sandringham’s win over Dandenong. Fellow bottom-agers Gus Kennedy (Dandenong) and Gus Teixeira (Sandringham) were also among the votes in that game, signalling bright futures.

Vic Metro representative Aaron Sharkie maintained his strong form to poll with 26 disposals and six rebound 50s in Oakleigh’s loss to GWV. There was good news for North Melbourne fans too, with 2026 father-son prospect Sam Harris adjudged best afield in Calder’s upset win over Gippsland.

With only Evans and George moving up the rungs, the leaderboard takes a familiar shape with only four home-and-away rounds left to play. Top pick contender Willem Duursma remains in the lead on 12 votes despite not having played since Round 12, one ahead of Dandenong midfielder Callum Smith.

>> CTL Round 15: Snapshot | POTW | TOTW | Scouting Notes

ROUND 15 VOTES

Gippsland Power 10.10 (70) def. by Calder Cannons 15.11 (101)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Sam Harris (Calder Cannons)
2 – Zac O’Keefe (Gippsland Power)
1 – Jackson Watkins (Calder Cannons)

Geelong Falcons 19.9 (123) def. Western Jets 8.5 (53)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Jack Pickett (Geelong Falcons)
2 – Kobe George (Geelong Falcons)
1 – Angus Ford (Geelong Falcons)

Bendigo Pioneers 21.14 (140) def. Murray Bushrangers 4.5 (29)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Zaydyn Lockwood (Bendigo Pioneers)
2 – Tom Evans (Bendigo Pioneers)
1 – Jonty Davis (Bendigo Pioneers)

Dandenong Stingrays 9.9 (63) def. by Sandringham Dragons 12.11 (83)
By: Declan Reeve

3 – Arki Butler (Sandringham Dragons)
2 – Gus Kennedy (Dandenong Stingrays)
1 – Gus Teixeira (Sandringham Dragons)

GWV Rebels 17.11 (113) def. Oakleigh Chargers 11.10 (76)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Aaron Sharkie (Oakleigh Chargers)
2 – Sam Niklaus (GWV Rebels)
1 – Charlie McKinnon (GWV Rebels)

TOP 10 LEADERBOARD

1. Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power) – 12 votes [3, 2, 3, 2, 2]
2. Callum Smith (Dandenong Stingrays) – 11 votes [3, 2, 3, 3]
Eq. 3. Talor Byrne (GWV Rebels) – 10 votes [2, 3, 2, 3]
Eq. 3. Tom Evans (Bendigo Pioneers) – 10 votes [3, 3, 2, 2]
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Eq. 4. Brodie Atkins (Gippsland Power) – 9 votes [2, 2, 2, 3]
Eq. 4. Sebastian Murphy (Northern Knights) – 9 votes [3, 3, 2, 1]
Eq. 4. Rory Wright (Sandringham Dragons) – 9 votes [2, 1, 2, 2, 2]
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Eq. 6. Daniel Annable (Lions Academy) – 8 votes [3, 2, 3]
Eq. 6. Thomas Burton (Western Jets) – 8 votes [1, 2, 2, 3]
Eq. 6. Luke Cheffers (Gippsland Power) – 8 votes [3, 3, 2]
Eq. 6. Harry Dean (Murray Bushrangers) – 8 votes [3, 3, 2]
Eq. 6. Kobe George (Geelong Falcons) – 8 votes [3, 3, 2]
Eq. 6. Thomas McGuane (Western Jets) – 8 votes [1, 3, 3, 1]
Eq. 6. Cody Walker (Bendigo Pioneers) – 8 votes [3, 3, 2]
Eq. 6. Lucas Wootton (Tasmania Devils) – 8 votes [3, 2, 1, 2]