EASTERN Ranges bottom-ager Christian Moraes is our Coates Talent League Player of the Week for Round 14 after posting huge numbers in his side’s win over Murray on Saturday. The midfielder was everywhere, racking up a round-high 43 disposals, six marks, 12 inside 50s and one goal.

He edged out fellow 2006-born talent Levi Ashcroft in this week’s poll, winning over 53 per cent of the votes in one of the closest calls yet – a fair effort given Ashcroft’s status as an Under 18 All Australian. He managed 36 disposals, six marks, eight inside 50s and two goals as Sandringham beat Western.

Despite his form, Moraes was overlooked for Vic Metro honours but has gone about his business with immense class this season. The 182cm talent now averages 26 disposals, five marks, and six inside 50s having turned out nine times for the Ranges.

Also a talented basketballer, Moraes possesses clean hands both at the contest and overhead, while having the typical nous in tight spots and a clear knack for finding the footy. He seemed to thrive with in the absence of few of Eastern’s big names, further proving his potential as a genuine on-baller.

Moraes is just the second Eastern product to earn Player of the Week honours his year after Nick Watson did so in Round 3. He is the fourth bottom-ager to do so, following after Under 18 representatives Murphy Reid and Cooper Hynes in recent weeks.

Around the grounds, GWV had a couple of players stand above the rest after a big win over Geelong. Namely, Connor Byrne booted five goals, while George Stevens accumulated 36 disposals, seven tackles and a goal.

Gippsland trio Archer Reid (19 disposals, seven marks, four goals), Zane Duursma (24 disposals, 12 marks, two goals), and Lachlan Smith (25 disposals, six marks, 19 hitouts) were all superb, while Calder pair Jayden Nguyen and Damon Hollow posted over 35 touches apiece as both sides won by 34 points.

2023 COATES TALENT LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Round 1: Indhi Kirk (Swans Academy)
Round 2: Tom Anastasopoulos (Geelong Falcons)
Round 3: Nick Watson (Eastern Ranges)
Round 4: Joel Freijah (GWV Rebels)
Round 5: N/A
Round 6: Jed Walter (Suns Academy)
Round 7: Colby McKercher (Tasmania Devils)
Round 8: Zak Johnson (Northern Knights)
Round 9: Darcy Wilson (Murray Bushrangers)
Round 10: N/A
Round 11: Nate Caddy (Northern Knights)
Round 12: Murphy Reid (Sandringham Dragons)
Round 13: Cooper Hynes (Dandenong Stingrays)
Round 14: Christian Moraes (Eastern Ranges)