ROOKIE Me Central Medal frontrunner Willem Duursma returned to Coates Talent League action with a best afield performance in Round 17. He now leads a field of 13 players who are still mathematically in with a chance of taking home the medal, which was won by Zane Duursma just two years ago.

>> SCROLL for the Round 17 votes & leaderboard

The fourth Duursma sibling slotted back into Gippsland Power’s midfield rotation fresh off MVP and All-Australian honours for Vic Country, and his VFL debut with Casey Demons. The dynamic utility posted 26 disposals, 10 tackles, and two goals to earn the three votes in his side’s 33-point win over Tasmania.

Those votes account for the exact margin Duursma holds to Northern Knights captain Sebastian Murphy and Bendigo Pioneers bottom-ager Cody Walker in equal-second. Both players rose up the leaderboard after collecting votes over the weekend; Murphy with three, and Walker with one in a tight loss.

Another riser among the top 10 was Geelong Falcons over-ager Kobe George, who was best afield with 30 disposals and nine marks as his side snuck past Walker’s Pioneers. He now sits alongside Dandenong Stingrays midfielder Callum Smith in equal-fourth, with the latter having a bye in Round 17.

An additional four players kept their medal hopes alive to join a total of six prospects in equal-eighth. Among them were recent Vic Metro teammates Xavier Taylor and Adam Sweid, who duked it out on opposite sides Eastern beat Calder. Taylor got the upper hand with three votes and the win.

Also among that group is the competition’s leading goalkicker, Charlie McKinnon. The GWV Rebels spearhead booted another five majors to take his season tally to 42 in 11 games. His efforts were good enough to earn two votes, with his final two goals seeing GWV sneak home against Western.

>> CTL Round 17: Snapshot | Player of the Week | Team of the Week | Scouting Notes

ROUND 17 VOTES

Calder Cannons 11.7 (73) def. by Eastern Ranges 10.16 (76)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Xavier Taylor (Eastern Ranges)
2 – Adam Sweid (Calder Cannons)
1 – Bailey Lloyd (Eastern Ranges)

Murray Bushrangers 6.9 (45) def. by Northern Knights 10.6 (66)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Sebastian Murphy (Northern Knights)
2 – Blake Newton (Murray Bushrangers)
1 – Zac Harding (Murray Bushrangers)

Western Jets 9.13 (67) def. by GWV Rebels 9.15 (69)
By: Adrian Dixon

3 – Jake Miller (Western Jets)
2 – Charlie McKinnon (GWV Rebels)
1 – Thomas Burton (Western Jets)

Geelong Falcons 8.12 (60) def. Bendigo Pioneers 8.10 (58)
By: Michael Alvaro

3 – Kobe George (Geelong Falcons)
2 – Connor Evans (Bendigo Pioneers)
1 – Cody Walker (Bendigo Pioneers)

Tasmania Devils 8.9 (57) def. by Gippsland Power 13.12 (90)
By: Declan Reeve

3 – Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power)
2 – Jack Hilton (Gippsland Power)
1 – Xavier Ladbrook (Gippsland Power)

LEADERBOARD

1. Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power) – 15 votes [3, 2, 3, 2, 2, 3]
—
Eq. 2. Sebastian Murphy (Northern Knights) – 12 votes [3, 3, 2, 1, 3]
Eq. 2. Cody Walker (Bendigo Pioneers) – 12 votes [3, 3, 2, 3, 1]
—
Eq. 4. Kobe George (Geelong Falcons) – 11 votes [3, 3, 2, 3]
Eq. 4. Callum Smith (Dandenong Stingrays) – 11 votes [3, 2, 3, 3]
—
Eq. 6. Talor Byrne (GWV Rebels) – 10 votes [2, 3, 2, 3]
Eq. 6. Tom Evans (Bendigo Pioneers) – 10 votes [3, 3, 2, 2]
—
Eq. 8. Brodie Atkins (Gippsland Power) – 9 votes [2, 2, 2, 3]
Eq. 8. Thomas Burton (Western Jets) – 9 votes [1, 2, 2, 3, 1]
Eq. 8. Charlie McKinnon (GWV Rebels) – 9 votes [3, 3, 1, 2]
Eq. 8. Adam Sweid (Calder Cannons) – 9 votes [2, 2, 2, 1, 2]
Eq. 8. Xavier Taylor (Eastern Ranges) – 9 votes [2, 2, 2, 3]
Eq. 8. Rory Wright (Sandringham Dragons) – 9 votes [2, 1, 2, 2, 2]