GREATER Western Victoria (GWV) prospect Talor Byrne has climbed into the top three of the Rookie Me Central Medal count after an industrious performance in Round 12. The Rebels pocket rocket booted three goals from 22 touches and laid nine tackles in his side’s 44-point win over Northern.

>> SCROLL for the Round 12 votes & leaderboard

In perhaps a sighter for where he may fit in with Vic Country, Byrne was utilised as a high forward on Sunday. At 174cm, he certainly packs a punch and showed that with several terrific defensive acts, while also being able to impact the scoreboard. He earned a full three votes to take his tally to 10.

Byrne sits third on the current leaderboard behind Dandenong Stingrays midfielder Callum Smith, who did not turn out in Round 12. That allowed Willem Duursma to reclaim top spot with two votes after helping Gippsland Power complete a come-from-behind win over Eastern Ranges.

Duursma, long touted as a pick one contender, earned most of his 21 disposals and nine marks down back before swinging forward in term four. There, he booted a pair of crucial late goals to see his side over the line. Still, teammate Brodie Atkins (30 disposals) beat him to best afield honours.

Another mover inside the top 10 standings was Northern Knights co-captain Sebastian Murphy. He racked up 28 disposals and seven clearances against Byrne’s Rebels to earn two more votes, taking his overall tally up to nine. He now sits equal-fourth on the leaderboard alongside Atkins.

There’s a fresh face among the top 10, too. Tasmania Devils midfielder and Allies representative Lucas Wootton snuck in this week after notching 29 disposals, five tackles and five clearances in his side’s win over Sandringham. He’s among a group of six players tied on eight votes for equal-sixth.

>> ROUND 12: Snapshot | Player of the Week | Team of the Week | Scouting Notes

ROUND 12 VOTES

Gippsland Power 9.8 (62) def. Eastern Ranges 8.11 (59)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Brodie Atkins (Gippsland Power)
2 – Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power)
1 – Jamie Armitage (Eastern Ranges)

GWV Rebels 13.12 (90) def. Northern Knights 6.10 (46)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Talor Byrne (GWV Rebels)
2 – Seb Murphy (Northern Knights)
1 – Flynn Penry (GWV Rebels)

Tasmania Devils 12.7 (79) def. Sandringham Dragons 6.15 (51)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Xavier Bamert (Sandringham Dragons)
2 – Lucas Wootton (Tasmania Devils)
1 – Toby Callow (Tasmania Devils)

Western Jets 15.12 (102) def. Calder Cannons 10.12 (72)
By: Adrian Dixon

3 – Oskar Ainsworth (Western Jets)
2 – Finn Davis (Western Jets)
1 – Khaled El Souki (Western Jets)

Bendigo Pioneers 14.12 (96) def. Geelong Falcons 9.10 (64)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Patrick Blake (Bendigo Pioneers)
2 – Angus Hoyne (Bendigo Pioneers)
1 – Max Thompson (Bendigo Pioneers)

Murray Bushrangers 5.4 (34) def. by Dandenong Stingrays 14.8 (92)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – JayDe Varlet (Dandenong Stingrays)
2 – Tairon Ah-Mu (Dandenong Stingrays)
1 – Cody Gardiner (Murray Bushrangers)

TOP 10 LEADERBOARD

1. Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power) – 12 votes [3, 2, 3, 2, 2]
2. Callum Smith (Dandenong Stingrays) – 11 votes [3, 2, 3, 3]
3. Talor Byrne (GWV Rebels) – 10 votes [2, 3, 2, 3]
—
Eq. 4. Sebastian Murphy (Northern Knights) – 9 votes [3, 3, 2, 1]
Eq. 4. Brodie Atkins (Gippsland Power) – 9 votes [2, 2, 2, 3]
—
Eq. 6.Daniel Annable (Lions Academy) – 8 votes [3, 2, 3]
Eq. 6. Thomas Burton (Western Jets) – 8 votes [1, 2, 2, 3]
Eq. 6. Harry Dean (Murray Bushrangers) – 8 votes [3, 3, 2]
Eq. 6. Thomas McGuane (Western Jets) – 8 votes [1, 3, 3, 1]
Eq. 6. Cody Walker (Bendigo Pioneers) – 8 votes [3, 3, 2]
Eq. 6. Lucas Wootton (Tasmania Devils) – 8 votes [3, 2, 1, 2]