MURRAY Bushrangers bottom-ager Blake Newton is our Coates Talent League Player of the Week after a powerful scoring performance in Round 17. The explosive forward booted five goals from 15 disposals, four marks, and four inside 50s as his side went down by 21 points to Northern Knights on Saturday.

>> SNAPSHOT: 2025 Coates Talent League – Round 17

Newton has established himself in the Bushrangers’ side this season, playing all bar one game for a total of 13. He showed out over the weekend to take his goals tally up to 19, booting five of Murray’s six majors for the match. He has been held goalless thrice throughout the campaign, booting multiples four times.

A Vic Country representative at last year’s Under 16 National Championships, Newton is a December birth and has scope to develop as a midfielder. He prised 11 contested possessions and two clearances against Northern, thriving on the tough stuff while hurting the opposition with his speed and power.

Newton had some stiff competition for Player of the Week honours, no less from teammate Zac Harding. The over-age ruck notched 26 disposals, 27 hitouts and five inside 50s to again be among his side’s top two players. It comes after he was beaten by Bushies midfielder Ryder Corrigan for last week’s nod.

Northern was well served by captain Seb Murphy, who stuffed the stats sheet with 28 disposals, nine tackles, nine clearances, and nine inside 50s. Rebounders Roman Moxon (34 disposals) and Ryan Commandeur were also prolific, while tall defender Gabriel Stumpf racked up 23 touches and 11 marks.

Another five-goal haul almost landed Bendigo’s Connor Evans the nomination. The over-ager took eight marks among his 12 disposals, while his fifth goal momentarily put the Pioneers ahead in their tense two-point loss to Geelong. Evans could well have had more majors too, finishing with four minor scores.

Round 8 Player of the Week Charlie McKinnon joined the five-goal club in Greater Western Victoria’s two-point win over Western. He proved the hero with consecutive majors to drag his side over the line late. McKinnon leads the competition for goals with 42 in 11 games, 16 more than the next best player.

In that game, Jets underager Jake Miller backed up a dream debut with 16 disposals, 13 marks and three goals in the losing side. Vic Metro Under 16 teammate Griffin Barker was also solid with 25 touches, five clearances and nine inside 50s for the losing side, proving both prospects are up to the level.

Down in Tasmania, pick one contender Willem Duursma was terrific in his return to the Gippsland lineup. He booted 2.3 from 26 disposals in a dynamic outing, also laying 10 tackles to highlight the advancements made in his defensive game. The Power won that clash by 33 points.

The Coates Talent League will now have a competition-wide bye, with the Under 17 Futures set to take centre stage over the weekend. Only two rounds remain when the action returns on August 16, helping mould the Wildcard Round matchups, and eventually, this year’s finalists.

2025 CTL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Round 1: Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power)
Round 2: Cody Templeton (Gippsland Power)
Round 3: Thomas McGuane (Western Jets)
Round 4: Max Hudson (Suns Academy)
Round 5: Daniel Annable (Lions Academy)
Round 6: Beau Addinsall (Suns Academy)
Round 7: Cody Walker (Bendigo Pioneers)
Round 8: Charlie McKinnon (GWV Rebels)
Round 9: Thomas Burton (Western Jets)
Round 11: Lachy Dovaston (Eastern Ranges)
Round 12: Oskar Ainsworth (Western Jets)
Round 13: Jake Miller (Western Jets)
Round 14: Lachlan Hicks (Western Jets)
Round 15: Jack Pickett (Geelong Falcons)
Round 16: Ryder Corrigan (Murray Bushrangers)
Round 17: Blake Newton (Murray Bushrangers)