AFTER playing out a thriller against each other last week, the Brisbane Lions Academy and Eastern Ranges boast a high of four Coates Talent League Team of the Week representatives each in Round 7. A stacked seven-game weekend sees players from 12 regions feature in the 24-man squad.

>> 2024 CTL Round 7: Snapshot | POTW

DEFENCE

B: Mitchell Lloyd (GWV) – Cooper Trembath (ER) – Lachy Dovaston (ER)
HB: Tobie Travaglia (BP) – Billy Richardson (BL) – Zak Johnson (NK)

There’s a great combination of height, running power and good ball users in this week’s hypothetical defence. Talls Mitchell Lloyd, Cooper Trembath, and Billy Richardson were all excellent, with the latter two holding firm with eight marks apiece as Eastern and Brisbane claimed victories.

Trembath is joined by bottom-aged teammate Lachy Dovaston on the last line, who racked up a season-high 26 disposals on Sunday. Up on the flanks, Zak Johnson (28 disposals) and Tobie Travaglia (31) starred in the same game as Northern kicked away from Bendigo, leading all comers.

MIDFIELD

FOL: Joe Pike (GF) – Geordie Payne (TD) – Josh Smillie (ER)
C: Jagga Smith (OC) – Xavier Lindsay (GP, c) – Christian Moraes (ER)

At the heart of our Round 7 midfield is Player of the Week and captain Xavier Lindsay. The Gippsland Power skipper posted 32 disposals and nine inside 50s in a loss to lead an on-ball group which stuffed the stats sheet over the weekend.

Eastern Ranges pair Josh Smillie and Christian Moraes enjoyed a fruitful reunion with 33 touches apiece, with the latter squeezed out to the wing along with Oakleigh Chargers standout Jagga Smith, who matched their disposal hauls in a loss to Murray.

A pair of over-agers round out the centre bounce rotation. Geelong Falcons ruck Joe Pike was integral to his side’s final quarter comeback, while Tasmanian utility Geordie Payne did his mid-season draft hopes no harm with 29 disposals, eight tackles and a goal.

FORWARD

HF: Oliver Depaoli-Kubank (TD) – Jobe Shanahan (BP) – Noah Tullio (GF)
F: Riley Ormerod (NK) – Ty Gallop (BL) – Joe Berry (MB)

Northern Knights forward Riley Ormerod leads a prolific front six this week after booting a half-dozen goals against Bendigo. At the other end of the ground, Pioneers prospect Jobe Shanahan filled his boots with 3.3 as he continues to find top form.

Geelong small Noah Tullio proved a match-winner with his clutch long-range set shot to get the Falcons home. He slots in on the flank opposite to Tasmania’s Oliver Depaoli-Kubank, who left his goalkicking boots at home with 1.5, but still had a major impact.

On the front line, Murray small Joe Berry snared four goals in a win, with three coming in the second quarter to help break the game open. Brisbane big man Ty Gallop earned his spot at full forward after bagging three goals in a strong showing as the Lions broke through for victory.

INTERCHANGE

INT: Daniel Annable (BL), Lenny Douglas (TD), Tom Gillett (BL), Xavier Kardachi (WJ), Leonardo Lombard (GC), Alex Swinnerton (MB)

EMG: Isaac Kako (CC), Keighton Matofai-Forbes (WJ), Oscar Van Dam (TD)

The selection squeeze continued this week after another bumper round, with three emergencies named alongside the interchange. Lions Daniel Annable and Tom Gillett were too good to deny once again, while Suns star Leonardo Lombard is another repeat entrant having showcased his power and pace.

Tasmanian forward Lenny Douglas also makes the cut for another week after impressing with three goals on Saturday. Meanwhile, Western midfielder Xavier Kardachi and Murray defender Alex Swinnerton earned berths for the first time this season.