Coates Talent League stars rack up votes in final round
THE FINAL Rookie Me Central Medal votes for the 2024 Coates Talent League season are in, and a host of stars players polled in Round 19. Winners will be unveiled over the next week, with eight players having been in the running heading into the weekend’s action.
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Oakleigh’s rampant upset win over Sandringham saw a pair of top pick contenders add to their tallies. Jagga Smith and Finn O’Sullivan combined brilliantly through midfield to get the three and two votes respectively, fresh off playing alongside each other in Richmond’s VFL side.
Chargers ruckman Louis Emmett also continued his strong form to poll a single vote. Along with Smith, Eastern captain and fellow pick one candidate Josh Smillie was another big name to put in a best afield performance. He led all comers with 29 disposals and a goal in the Ranges’ win over Northern.
It was hard to deny Remy MacLean a look-in having booted a game-high four goals in the victory. Rising Knights prospect Jesse Dattoli rounded out the votes from that game having booted three goals for the second week running, no less from a team-high 26 disposals.
>> 2024 CTL Round 19: Snapshot | POTW | Scouting Notes
On the country side of things, gun midfielders Harvey Langford (Dandenong) and Sam Lalor (Greater Western Victoria) were head and shoulders above the rest in Round 19. So much so, that Langford was named our Player of the Week for his 33 touches and four goals against Gippsland.
Lalor also got back to his best with 25 disposals, five marks, six inside 50s and a goal as the Rebels went down to Geelong. For the victorious Falcons, North Melbourne father-son hopeful River Stevens snared three goals and two votes, while co-captain Lachie Jaques also added to his total.
A pair of goalkickers also took out a full allotment of votes over the weekend. Bendigo spearhead Jobe Shanahan returned to the level with a bag of six majors, while Calder bottom-ager and Essendon Next Generation Academy member Hussien El Achkar snared five.
>> EXPLAINER: 2024 Coates Talent League Wildcard & Finals
ROUND 19 VOTES
Geelong Falcons 10.13 (73) def. GWV Rebels 9.8 (62)
By: Michael Alvaro
3 – Sam Lalor (GWV Rebels)
2 – River Stevens (Geelong Falcons)
1 – Lachie Jaques (Geelong Falcons)
Bendigo Pioneers 10.8 (68) def. by Murray Bushrangers 14.14 (98)
By: Declan Reeve
3 – Jobe Shanahan (Bendigo Pioneers)
2 – Jack Whitlock (Murray Bushrangers)
1 – Riley Onley (Murray Bushrangers)
Northern Knights 12.7 (79) def. by Eastern Ranges 15.12 (102)
By: Adrian Dixon
3 – Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges)
2 – Remy MacLean (Eastern Ranges)
1 – Jesse Dattoli (Northern Knights)
Gippsland Power 11.15 (81) def. by Dandenong Stingrays 14.7 (91)
By: Michael Alvaro
3 – Harvey Langford (Dandenong Stingrays)
2 – Henry Hayes (Dandenong Stingrays)
1 – Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves (Dandenong Stingrays)
Oakleigh Chargers 16.13 (109) def. Sandringham Dragons 10.10 (70)
By: Michael Alvaro
3 – Jagga Smith (Oakleigh Chargers)
2 – Finn O’Sullivan (Oakleigh Chargers)
1 – Louis Emmett (Oakleigh Chargers)
Calder Cannons 16.9 (105) def. Western Jets 10.5 (65)
By: Adrian Dixon
3 – Hussien El Achkar (Calder Cannons)
2 – Nash King (Calder Cannons)
1 – Lachlan McArthur (Western Jets)