ROUND 14 saw 11 players poll their first Rookie Me Central Medal votes of the season, as representative stars made way for fresh faces to stake their claims in the Coates Talent League. Among them were four bottom-agers, including Player of the Week Lachlan Hicks who starred for the Western Jets.

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Hicks’ 34 disposals, 10 marks and three goals were more than enough to claim a full three-vote allotment, ahead of top-age teammates Oskar Ainsworth (five goals) and Finn Davis (30 disposals). The latter pair are part of Vic Metro’s training squad, both looking to debut in the final two champs games.

Another two Metro train-ons in Harry Van Hattum and Arki Butler were also among the votes. The former, a towering ruck from Northern, was best-on in the Knights’ win over Geelong with six marks and 31 hitouts. The latter showed his class to kick three goals from 18 touches as Sandringham lost to GWV.

Butler turned out in Vic Metro’s opening game but was rotated out of the side for its trip to Western Australia. Both he and Van Hattum are sure to play a part for the Big V in next year’s National Championships, given they are not draft eligible until then, but are already performing at a high level.

A trio of top-agers round out the three-vote getters. Rebel Sam Niklaus (24 disposals, eight marks) led all-comers against Butler’s Dragons, as did Mitchell Gillan (28 and 11) in Eastern’s win over Oakleigh, while Calder’s Oliver Watt managed 25 touches as the Cannons cruised past Murray.

The top 10 leaderboard remains unchanged after the weekend’s five fixtures. Pick one contender Willem Duursma leads the way on 12 votes ahead of podium-sitters Callum Smith (11) and Talor Byrne (10). Three players are tied for equal-fourth, while a further eight sit level in sixth place.

>> CTL ROUND 14: Snapshot | POTW | TOTW | Scouting Notes

ROUND 14 VOTES

Sandringham Dragons 7.17 (59) def. by GWV Rebels 12.12 (84)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Sam Niklaus (GWV Rebels)
2 – Arki Butler (Sandringham Dragons)
1 – Flynn Penry (GWV Rebels)

Murray Bushrangers 7.10 (52) def. by Calder Cannons 14.11 (95)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Oliver Watt (Calder Cannons)
2 – Coen Ainsworth (Murray Bushrangers)
1 – Taj Robinson (Calder Cannons)

Northern Knights 12.12 (84) def. Geelong Falcons 10.6 (66)
By: Adrian Dixon

3 – Harry Van Hattum (Northern Knights)
2 – James Allison (Northern Knights)
1 – Mason Williams (Geelong Falcons)

Eastern Ranges 12.8 (80) def. Oakleigh Chargers 11.11 (77)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Mitchell Gillan (Eastern Ranges)
2 – Oskar Taylor (Eastern Ranges)
1 – Sullivan Robey (Eastern Ranges)

Bendigo Pioneers 7.8 (50) def. by Western Jets 19.10 (124)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Lachlan Hicks (Western Jets)
2 – Oskar Ainsworth (Western Jets)
1 – Finn Davis (Western Jets)

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. Brodie Atkins (Gippsland Power) – 9 votes [2, 2, 2, 3]
Eq. 4. Sebastian Murphy (Northern Knights) – 9 votes [3, 3, 2, 1]
Eq. 4. Rory Wright (Sandringham Dragons) – 9 votes [2, 1, 2, 2, 2]
—
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. Luke Cheffers (Gippsland Power) – 8 votes [3, 3, 2]
Eq. 6. Harry Dean (Murray Bushrangers) – 8 votes [3, 3, 2]
Eq. 6. Tom Evans (Bendigo Pioneers) – 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]