GIPPSLAND Power leads the way with four representatives in our Coates Talent League Team of the Week after their dominant win in Round 8. The ladder leaders kept Oakleigh goalless for three quarters on Saturday, though every side contributed a player in this week’s squad. See who made the cut!

>> CTL Round 8: Snapshot | Player of the Week

DEFENCE

B: Jonah Walker (GP) – Adrian Cole (DS) – Harry Dean (MB)
HB: Gus Papal (CC) – Josh Shepherd (OC) – Thomas Burton (WJ)

A tall defence features five players over 191cm, with Western’s Thomas Burton the only genuine rebounder among a raft of key backs and interceptors. The prolific Jet racked up 30 touches in his side’s loss to Greater Western Victoria (GWV), showcasing plenty of running power through the middle.

Carlton father-son prospect Harry Dean (22 disposals, 10 marks) and Gippsland utility Jonah Walker (20 and 12) were steadfast in their respective victories, while over-agers Josh Shepherd (25 disposals, nine marks) and Gus Papal (29 and 11) stood tall despite Oakleigh and Calder suffering defeats.

MIDFIELD

FOL: Zac Harding (MB) – Willem Duursma (GP) – Thomas McGuane (WJ)
C: JayDe Varlet (DS) – Cody Walker (BP) – Angus Ford (GF)

A star-studded on-ball group is headlined by pick one contender Willem Duursma, who was among Gippsland’s highest quality performers with 25 touches and a goal. He’s joined by a pair of father-son candidates in Thomas McGuane (29 disposals) and Cody Walker (27), who were prolific in defeats.

Murray Bushrangers over-ager Zac Harding imposed himself with a whopping 55 hitouts to occupy the starting ruck role. On the outside, Dandenong powerhouse JayDe Varlet provided constant drive in attacking phases, and Geelong’s Angus Ford was arguably best afield as the Falcons beat Calder.

FORWARD

HF: Tyson Gresham (NK) – Sam Buck (SD) – Luke Cheffers (GP)
F: Taj Robinson (CC) – Charlie McKinnon (GWV) – Thomas Hose (DS)

Player of the Week Charlie McKinnon spearheads this week’s attack as a 190cm full forward after booting eight goals to move atop the competition’s charts. Dynamic talls Thomas Hose (Dandenong) and Taj Robinson (Calder) were among several players to boot four majors, joining McKinnon close to goal.

Northern Knights co-captain Tyson Gresham was among them with four goals from 27 disposals in an upset win over Sandringham. Dragons ruck-forward Sam Buck bolsters the over-age stocks at centre-half forward, while Gippsland’s Luke Cheffers earned his spot on the back of 28 touches and two goals.

INTERCHANGE

INT: Brodie Atkins (GP), Nicholas Driscoll (NK), Thomas Handley (GF), Seb Murphy (NK), Flynn Penry (GWV), Lucas Wootton (TD)

Gresham’s co-captain Seb Murphy earned consecutive Team of the Week berths after his second-straight 30-plus disposal performance, slotting onto the interchange alongside Northern teammate Nicholas Driscoll. The latter booted three goals from 21 disposals in an energetic outing.

Gippsland’s Brodie Atkins was hard to overlook after racking up a monster 35 touches in the Power’s one-sided win, and same goes for Geelong forward Thomas Handley (four goals). Elsewhere, Tasmanian Lucas Wootton contributed going both ways with 20 disposals and 11 tackles, while Rebels ruck Flynn Penry notched up 27 hitouts and six clearances to slot in as reserve for Harding.