THREE players are tied for top spot on the Rookie Me Central Medal leaderboard after two rounds of Coates Talent League action. The trio forms half of the six total players who have set themselves apart early in the season by polling votes in both rounds to date.

>> SCROLL to see the Round 2 votes

Leading the way at this early stage is Calder Cannons skipper Damon Hollow, Murray Bushrangers livewire Joe Berry, and Northern Knights midfielder Zak Johnson. The former two were respectively adjudged best afield in Round 2, while Johnson got the full three votes in Round 1.

Hollow led the Cannons to a 10-point win over Western, posting 17 disposals, five inside 50s and a goal in the process. Meanwhile, Berry was terrific up forward in Murray’s two-point loss to Bendigo, booting his second-straight bag of four goals from 15 touches and five marks.

Suffice to say, Round 2 Player of the Week Taj Hotton was another to grab the full three votes. He and captain Levi Ashcroft both chalked up over 30 disposals in Sandringham’s comprehensive win over Oakleigh, while Luke Trainor starred in defence to poll once again.

Top 10 prospect Christian Moraes matched Hotton’s haul of four goals to be best afield in Eastern’s win over Johnson’s Northern Knights. He and Ranges teammate Josh Smillie are now level on four votes, alongside Bendigo defender/midfielder Tobie Travaglia.

Elsewhere, Tom Hanily snared the first three-voter of Gippsland’s season for his 32 touches against Dandenong. Willem Duursma also got on the board after brother Zane took out last year’s medal, while Stingray Noah Mraz made a successful return from concussion to nab a vote.

Competition for votes was tight in the opening game of the round, which saw Geelong thump Greater Western Victoria under Thursday night lights at GMHBA Stadium. Midfielder Xavier Ivisic came out on top ahead of teammates William McLachlan (five goals) and River Stevens (three).

>> CTL Round 2: Snapshot | POTW | TOTW | Scouting Notes

ROUND 2 VOTES

Geelong Falcons 13.12 (90) def. GWV Rebels 5.3 (33)
By: Peter Williams

3 – Xavier Ivisic (Geelong Falcons)
2 – Will McLachlan (Geelong Falcons)
1 – River Stevens (Geelong Falcons)

Dandenong Stingrays 14.9 (93) def. by Gippsland Power 16.13 (109)
By: Matthew Vella

3 – Tom Hanily (Gippsland Power)
2 – Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power)
1 – Noah Mraz (Dandenong Stingrays)

Calder Cannons 12.16 (88) def. Western Jets 11.12 (78)
By: Adrian Dixon

3 – Damon Hollow (Calder Cannons)
2 – Harry O’Farrell (Calder Cannons)
1 – Thomas Burton (Western Jets)

Murray Bushrangers 14.10 (94) def. by Bendigo Pioneers 14.12 (96) 
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Joe Berry (Murray Bushrangers)
2 – Joshua Murphy (Murray Bushrangers)
1 – Tobie Travaglia (Bendigo Pioneers)

Eastern Ranges 17.14 (116) def. Northern Knights 9.6 (60)
By: Matthew Vella

3 – Christian Moraes (Eastern Ranges)
2 – Zak Johnson (Northern Knights)
1 – Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges)

Sandringham Dragons 15.13 (103) def. Oakleigh Chargers 7.9 (51)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Taj Hotton (Sandringham Dragons)
2 – Levi Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons)
1 – Luke Trainor (Sandringham Dragons)

LEADERBOARD

eq. 1. Joe Berry (Murray Bushrangers) – 5 votes
eq. 1. Damon Hollow (Calder Cannons) – 5
eq. 1. Zak Johnson (Northern Knights) – 5
eq. 4. Christian Moraes (Eastern Ranges) – 4
eq. 4. Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges) – 4
eq. 4. Tobie Travaglia (Bendigo Pioneers) – 4