Dandenong Stingrays skipper Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves is our Coates Talent League Player of the Week after a dominant performance in Round 18. The star prospect booted five goals from a game-high 29 disposals and eight marks in his side’s 59-point win over Greater Western Victoria (GWV) on Sunday.

>> SNAPSHOT: 2025 Coates Talent League – Round 18

Returning out of concussion protocols amid an injury interrupted campaign, the versatile utility showcased his match-winning ability. He started on the wing and drifted forward, kicking three of his five goals in the first half before being thrust into in the centre bounces straight out of the main break.

Hibbins-Hargreaves prised five clearances and exhibited his ability to connect the lines with as many forward 50 entries. Of his 29 possessions, 12 were contested and he used the ball by foot 21 times. He reached new personal-bests for disposals, marks, inside 50s, and goals in eight games this season.

It was the top-ager’s first Coates Talent League appearance since Round 12, back in June. He represented Vic Country at the Under 18 National Championships but was helped off the ground in Vic Country’s fourth and final fixture. With a clean run at it, he’s arguably a top 15 talent in the draft crop.

In the same game, Hibbins-Hargreaves had a couple of teammates put in strong shifts. Midfielder Callum Smith was typically prolific around the ball with 27 disposals, six clearances, seven inside 50s and a goal, while imposing key forward Tairon Ah-Mu bagged two majors from 20 disposals and 10 marks.

Rookie Me Central Medal candidates Willem Duursma and Cody Walker locked horns as Gippsland beat Bendigo by 33 points. The former notched 21 disposals, six tackles and a goal, while the latter led all comers with 29 touches, six clearances and two goals to continue his remarkable bottom-age form.

Elsewhere, Arki Butler‘s second consecutive five-goal haul for Sandringham had him close to a nomination. Prolific midfield accumulator Jack Dalton was also on the radar for his 30 disposals, five tackles and one goal in the Dragons’ 37-point home victory over Calder Cannons on Sunday.

Round 9 Player of the Week Thomas Burton put up a rare triple-double despite his Western Jets going down by 12 points to Northern. The hard-running small midfielder amassed 31 disposals, 11 clearances, and 11 inside 50s, covering plenty of ground at Preston City Oval and adding a goal to his tally.

Another quality performance came from Vic Metro MVP Oliver Greeves, who returned to the Eastern Ranges lineup fresh out of the representative and APS seasons. The 191cm midfielder notched up a game-high 28 disposals, six marks and one goal in his side’s thrilling two-point win over Geelong.

Only one home-and-away weekend remains until Wildcard Round in the Coates Talent League. A three-week finals series follows that, with sides vying to knock three-time reigning premiers Sandringham Dragons off their perch. Gippsland and Eastern are respectively. the top Country and Metro seeds.

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)
Round 18: Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves (Dandenong Stingrays)