IN one of the most even squads yet, nine Coates Talent League regions lay claim to multiple representatives in our Round 11 Team of the Week. Despite suffering a loss to Sandringham, Bendigo leads the way with four players, including our Player of the Week. See who made the cut.

>> 2024 CTL Round 11: Snapshot | POTW | Scouting Notes

DEFENCE

B: Mitchell Lloyd (GWV) – James Barrat (BP) – Alix Tauru (GP)
HB: Harry Charleson (GWV) – Adrian Cole (SD) – Liam Ling (TD)

This week’s back six features four players who stand at over 191cm and needless to say, they dominated the airways. Vic Country teammates Mitchell Lloyd and James Barrat posted a round-high 10 marks each, with the latter enjoying his switch to defence in a potential sighter for his representative role.

Gippsland’s Alix Tauru has also been added to the Vic Country squad after shutting down Jack Whitlock, while collecting 23 touches and nine marks of his own. The fourth tall is Sandringham’s Adrian Cole, who had an enthralling battle with Bendigo star Jobe Shanahan – another member of our Round 11 squad.

Lloyd is joined once again by Greater Western Victoria (GWV) teammate Harry Charleson, who racked up a game-high 27 disposals in the Rebels’ loss to Tasmania. Speaking of, Devils utility Liam Ling slots in on the opposite flank for his productive work on the rebound, bringing the lofty average height down a peg.

MIDFIELD

FOL: Brodie Findlay (SD) – Cooper Hynes (DS) – Kane Emery (OC)
C: Archer Day-Wicks (BP) – Tobie Travaglia (BP) – Christian Moraes (ER)

Another representative inclusion headlines our hypothetical midfield in Sandringham Dragons ruck Brodie Findlay. Captaining solo in the absence of Levi Ashcroft, the imposing tall has put together a strong run of form, and led his side to victory over Bendigo with 15 disposals and 23 hitouts.

Dandenong skipper Cooper Hynes locked himself in for selection once again after booting three goals from 27 touches against Oakleigh, who were valiantly led by Kane Emery (25 disposals, nine tackles, two goals). Both feature at the centre bounces alongside Player of the Week, Tobie Travaglia.

Travaglia nearly dragged Bendigo over the line with three final quarter goals to go with his 28 disposals in midfield. Teammate Archer Day-Wicks also bagged three majors alongside him to feature as a makeshift wing, and the same can be said for Eastern running machine Christian Moraes (24 disposals, one goal).

FORWARD

HF: Isaac Kako (CC) – Jobe Shanahan (BP) – Cooper Ward (GF)
F: Asher Eastham (GP) – Gabriel Stumpf (NK) – Lenny Douglas (TD)

While talls dominate our backline, the smalls went to work up forward in Round 11. Tasmania’s Lenny Douglas and Geelong’s Cooper Ward were productive with three goals each, while Calder livewire Isaac Kako wreaked havoc with 25 touches, six inside 50s and a goal as the Cannons beat Eastern.

Leading the goalkicking stakes is Gippsland high-flyer Asher Eastham, who bagged four majors in the Power’s win over Murray. In the key position posts, Jobe Shanahan earned a spot for his relentless presentation on the lead, while Gabriel Stumpf had some brilliant moments with two goals and assists.

INTERCHANGE

INT: Cody Anderson (ER), Ned Byrne (MB), Harvey Langford (DS), Joe Pike (GF), Dom Pitt (TD), Patrick Said (CC)

A midfield selection squeeze has spilled out onto the bench, which has some serious power. Dandenong’s Harvey Langford and Eastern’s Cody Anderson were hard to deny once again, collecting 25 and 27 disposals respectively while both hitting the scoreboard and tackling hard.

The likes of Ned Byrne (Murray) and Dominic Pitt (Tasmania) were among their sides’ best players, while Calder’s Patrick Said snared three goals from 24 touches and simply had to make the cut. Rounding out the side is over-age Geelong ruck Joe Pike, who was unlucky not to start after winning 34 hitouts.