A BUNCH of top draft prospects were among the Rookie Me Central Medal votes in Round 1 of the Coates Talent League. Leading the way were pick one candidates Willem Duursma (Gippsland) and Cooper Duff-Tytler (Calder), who both polled a maximum three votes as their sides picked up wins.

>> SCROLL to see all the Round 1 votes

Duursma was duly named Player of the Week for his performance, and captains our Team of the Week in an on-ball group featuring Duff-Tytler, and fellow three-vote getter Josh Lindsay. The latter was a standout in Geelong’s defeat to Dandenong, picking up 27 disposals and seven clearances.

Another player to be named best afield in a loss was Northern Knights co-captain Sebastian Murphy. The brother of Adelaide’s Lachlan stuffed the stats sheet with 25 disposals, seven tackles, six clearances and a goal as his side went down to Eastern Ranges by just three points.

There were a few handy finds among the vote-getters. Sandringham Dragons top-ager Rory Wright popped up on debut to showcase his class, while fellow Bentleigh boy Ricky Theodoropoulas delved into his bag of tricks to take out a full allotment of votes in the win over Western Jets.

Gippsland looks to have unearthed another over-ager gem in Zac Walker, who debuted with 10 marks as a tall intercept defender. Meanwhile, Tasmanian goalsneak Jack Miller booted three majors having been touted as one to watch by Devils coach Jeromey Webberley.

Essendon fans will be buoyed by a pair of Next Generation Academy prospects being included in the votes for Calder. Adam Sweid made an emphatic debut after missing last year through a knee injury, while Hussien El Achkar snared four goals to boost his stocks.

Another club-tied player in Thomas McGuane was hard to deny at least a single vote after posting 28 disposals in a losing Western side. The agile midfielder has already displayed remarkable consistency at Coates Talent League level and looks too be going on with the job as a top-ager.

>> ROUND 1: Snapshot | POTW | TOTW

ROUND 1 VOTES

Bendigo Pioneers 9.7 (61) def. Tasmania Devils 7.9 (51)
By: Adrian Dixon

3 – Hunter Wright (Bendigo Pioneers)
2 – Connor Evans (Bendigo Pioneers)
1 – Jack Miller (Tasmania Devils)

Sandringham Dragons 12.11 (83) def. Western Jets 6.6 (42)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Ricky Theodoropoulos (Sandringham Dragons)
2 – Rory Wright (Sandringham Dragons)
1 – Thomas McGuane (Western Jets)

Dandenong Stingrays 15.12 (102) def. Geelong Falcons 7.11 (53)
By: Declan Reeve

3 – Josh Lindsay (Geelong Falcons)
2 – Samuel Lewis (Dandenong Stingrays)
1 – Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves (Dandenong Stingrays)

Murray Bushrangers 6.6 (42) def. by Gippsland Power 13.12 (90)
By: Adrian Dixon

3 – Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power)
2 – Zac Walker (Gippsland Power)
1 – Wil Malady (Gippsland Power)

Oakleigh Chargers 11.10 (76) def. by Calder Cannons 12.9 (81)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Cooper Duff-Tytler (Calder Cannons)
2 – Adam Sweid (Calder Cannons)
1 – Hussien El Achkar (Calder Cannons)

Northern Knights 7.12 (54) def. by Eastern Ranges 8.9 (57)
By: Declan Reeve

3 – Sebastian Murphy (Northern Knights)
2 – Lachy Dovaston (Eastern Ranges)
1 – Oliver Greeves (Eastern Ranges)