2025 minor premiers Gippsland Power boast a high of four members in our Round 1 Team of the Week, as they push to become this year’s Talent League frontrunners. The Power were unstoppable in an 87-point demolition of Murray, while Western, Sandringham and Dandenong contributed three players apiece after their big wins. Check out who made the cut in our 23-player squad.

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DEFENCE

B: Fletcher Pulleine (GF) – Jacob Marron (WJ) – Archie Devine (TD)
HB: Max Thompson (BP) – Xavier Ladbrook (GP) – Jake Beams (TD)

This week’s defence is littered with good ball users, both tall and small. Tasmanian pair Jake Beams (27 disposals) and Archie Devine (26) ran rampant for the Devils, with the latter also moving on-ball after half time. In the same game, Bendigo bottom-ager Max Thompson showed his class to boot two goals from a game-high 32 touches as the Pioneers held on to win.

Gippsland Power prospect Xavier Ladbrook ran at 100 percent efficiency with his 15 disposals and 10 marks to lock in a spot at centre half-back. The 201cm ‘unicorn’ is joined by Western over-ager Jacob Marron after his 23 disposals and eight marks in the Jets’ win over Calder. Meanwhile, Fletcher Pulleine also slots in on the last line after notching 20 touches and seven marks in Geelong’s loss to Dandenong.

MIDFIELD

FOL: Macauli Buck (WJ) – Arki Butler (SD) – Andrio Sousa (DS)
C: Albert Macgowan (SD) – Cody Walker (BP) – Harrison Chapman (ER)

Player of the Week Arki Butler was a lock on-ball having proven his craft with 26 disposals (17 contested possessions) and four goals as Sandringham beat Eastern. Teammate Albert MacGowan (31 disposals) was everywhere in that game and finds his spot on the wing, opposite to smooth moving Ranges prospect Harrison Chapman. The latter played on-ball, but was too good not to pick with 30 disposals.

Carlton father-son gun Cody Walker started his season in fine form, willing himself to 28 disposals, eight clearances and two goals in the Pios’ win over Tasmania. Dandenong vice-captain Andrio Sousa also starts on-ball after his team-high 25 disposals, while over-age Western tall Macauli Buck beat plenty of strong contenders to earn the ruck spot after winning 23 disposals, 22 hitouts and eight clearances.

FORWARD

HF: Cody Templeton (GP) – Jake Miller (WJ) – Jackson Phillips (DS)
F: Ollie Griffin (SD) – Harry Van Hattum (NK) – Wil Malady (GP)

A trio of keen goalkickers headline this week’s front six. Gippsland marking machine Wil Malady booted six in his side’s thumping win over Murray, while hybrid midfielder Cody Templeton settled for 4.4 to also earn a spot in the team. Meanwhile, star Western bottom-ager Jake Miller notched three goals from an imposing 21 disposals and 11 marks as the Jets kicked away from Calder.

Sandringham over-ager Ollie Griffin (six marks, two goals) was strong aerially and provided great pressure in the Dragons’ win, ensuring his spot in the pocket. Dandenong mid-forward Jackson Phillips (20 disposals, two goals) also debuts in the side, while 205cm Northern ruck Harry Van Hattum (20 hitouts, five clearances, two goals) starts at full forward where he usually rotates.

INTERCHANGE

INT: Tanner Armstrong (MB), Judd Burgiel (GP), Harvie Cooke (NK), Gus Kennedy (DS), Jordan Knapp (ER), Noah Williams (GF)

There was a definite selection squeeze this week, with plenty of small forwards in particular having to make way for prolific midfielders. The likes of Tanner Armstrong (36 disposals, seven clearances), Jordan Knapp (32 disposals, seven marks), and Noah Williams (23 disposals) were their sides’ top ball winners in resounding losses. Meanwhile, Harvie Cooke (29 disposals, nine tackles, nine clearances), Judd Burgiel (23 disposals, nine tackles), and Gus Kennedy (21 disposals, one goal) performed well in strong wins to round out the six-player interchange bench.