NORTHERN Knights bottom-ager Nate Caddy is our NAB League Player of the Week for Round 16. The dynamic forward turned out in a different role on Saturday, and did so with great success as he booted three goals from 20 disposals and four marks, to go with five inside 50s in a 41-point win against the Western Jets.

Caddy enjoyed a more permanent run in midfield this time out, having cut his teeth as a tall forward for much of the year. After booted 17 goals in his 11 games this season, the 17-year-old still managed to find the big sticks from further afield as the Knights poured on 18 majors from 23 scoring shots.

At 191cm, Caddy arguably plays above his height as a key forward in the Knights’ lineup, and did so for the Vic Metro Under 18 too. He offers that aerial threat with gutsy pack marks, but also covers the ground with exciting athleticism. The only thing missing, is perhaps a touch of polish to his end product.

Caddy is now just the second bottom-ager to have earned Player of the Week honours this year, just a round after Western Jets midfielder Jake Smith became the first. He is also the second Northern prospect to get a nod, and the ninth from a Metro region.

While Northern won out in impressive fashion, Bendigo’s after-the-siren win on Sunday meant the Knights ended up in last spot after the regular season. Nonetheless, a chance to impress in Wildcard Round awaits, as Caddy and his Knights open proceedings against Greater Western Victoria at Mars Stadium.

2022 ROOKIE ME CENTRAL NAB LEAGUE BOYS PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

Round 1: Jai Culley (Dandenong Stingrays)
Round 2: Will Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons)
Round 3: Elijah Tsatas (Oakleigh Chargers)
Round 4: Harry Sheezel (Sandringham Dragons)
Round 5: Seth Campbell (Tasmania Devils)
Round 7: Lewis Hayes (Eastern Ranges)
Round 8: Taj Campbell-Farrell (Dandenong Stingrays)
Round 9: Yuyu Ashwin (Oakleigh Chargers)
Round 10: Cameron Mackenzie (Sandringham Dragons)
Round 11: Hamish Sinnott (GWV Rebels)
Round 12: Ben Ham (Northern Knights)
Round 13: Harvey Gallagher (Bendigo Pioneers)
Round 14: Bailey Humphrey (Gippsland Power)
Round 15: Jake Smith (Western Jets)
Round 16: NATE CADDY (Northern Knights)