A ROUND-HIGH four Murray Bushrangers feature in our NAB League Team of the Week for Round 3, after the region\u2019s mammoth 116-point win over the Northern Territory Thunder. Fellow winners Dandenong and Sandringham contributed three players apiece, though competition for spots was tight with attacking eight games played in a bumper four days of Eastern Weekend action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check out who made the full 24-man squad, and three emergency spots below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PLAYER OF THE WEEK:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n After missing out on Player of the Week honours in last week\u2019s poll, Oakleigh Chargers jet Elijah Tsatas<\/a> was undeniable for the nod in Round 3. The pick one contender played a blinder on Saturday, racking up an Aussie rules triple-double with 42 disposals, 12 marks, and 11 inside 50s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Playing on both sides of midfield, Tsatas has quickly become a Team of the Week mainstay on the back of a dominant start to his top-age campaign. In his three games so far, he has upped his disposal tally and been among Oakleigh\u2019s prime movers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n DEFENDERS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n With plenty of attacking football displayed in Round 3 and a real squeeze in the attacking end of the ground, picking a balanced defensive line was tough. On the last line, the Dandenong Stingrays and Murray Bushrangers have their first of three representatives each, with Finn Emile-Brennan<\/a> (back pocket) and Ryan Eyers<\/a> (full back) proving hard to deny in wins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Joining them is Western Jets co-captain Massimo D’Ambrosio<\/a>, who once again ticked over 30 disposals in his side\u2019s second win of the season. Bolting Oakleigh prospect Josh Weddle<\/strong> brings something different to the half-back line, along with prolific rebounders Jonti Schuback<\/a> (Gippsland) and Lachlan Cowan<\/a> (Tasmania). Their inclusions mean all six starting defenders featured in victories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n MIDFIELDERS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A familiar feel makes up the midfield mix, with a few high-class returning faces essentially selecting themselves this week. Tsatas\u2019 round-high 42 disposals made him a lock, while Sandringham skipper Will Ashcroft<\/a> enjoyed another day out, and Mitch Szybkowski<\/a> was again Dandenong\u2019s best in a hard-fought win. It\u2019s an AFL Academy trifecta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rucking to them is Geelong Falcons bigman Olivier Northam<\/a>, who was in everything on Thursday night against GWV and makes the cut in a decent week for talls. Out on the wings, Stingrays talent Jaxon Binns<\/a> comes in next to Szybkowski with sole Northern Knights representative Darcy Edmends<\/a> taking up the other outside role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FORWARDS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There were plenty of goals in Round 3, and a raft of key position players to squeeze into the front six. Murray Bushrangers pair Fletcher Hart<\/a> (six goals) and Toby Murray<\/a> (three) were on song in a massive win, so they lead the line this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Around them, Tasmanian over-ager Will Splann<\/a> slots in for his four-goal effort, while Falcons flyer Tadgh Evans<\/a> earned his place for the same amount of majors. There was competition for the remaining two spots, but Gippsland captain Bailey Humphrey<\/a> was impossible to deny and Sandringham\u2019s Harry Sheezel<\/a> proved prolific as ever to round out the forwardline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n INTERCHANGE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n With eight games played this weekend, it was another tight squeeze for the remaining six spots, and even the three emergency positions. Making it a round-high four Bushrangers this week is Noah Bradshaw<\/a>, a talent for Brisbane fans to watch given his father-son candidacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fellow midfielders Caiden Cleary<\/strong> (Swans Academy) and Luke Lawrence<\/a> (Giants Academy) were again dependable as the Northern Academies suffered losses, while versatile Eastern over-ager Tyreece Leiu<\/a> and Bendigo rebounder Michael Kiraly<\/a> also come in as their respective regions\u2019 lone representatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n St Kilda NGA talent Cameron Mackenzie<\/a> makes it three Dragons, and a strong 24 players in this week\u2019s squad. Unlucky to miss out were Calder\u2019s Michael Ktona<\/a>, Western goalkicker Jovan Petric<\/a>, and nifty Tasmanian mid-forward Seth Campbell<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ROOKIE ME CENTRAL ROUND 3 NAB LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n B:<\/strong> Finn Emile-Brennan (DS), Ryan Eyers (MB), Massimo D\u2019Ambrosio (WJ) INT:<\/strong> Noah Bradshaw (MB), Caiden Cleary (SS), Michael Kiraly (BP), Luke Lawrence (GWS), Tyreece Leiu (ER), Cam Mackenzie (SD)<\/p>\n\n\n\n EMG:<\/strong> Seth Campbell (TD), Michael Ktona (CC), Jovan Petric (WJ)<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n
HB:<\/strong> Lachlan Cowan (TD), Josh Weddle (OC), Jonti Schuback (GP)
C:<\/strong> Darcy Edmends (NK), Mitch Szybkowski (DS), Jaxon Binns (DS)
HF:<\/strong> Bailey Humphrey (GP), Fletcher Hart (MB), Will Splann (TD)
F:<\/strong> Harry Sheezel (SD), Toby Murray (MB), Tadgh Evans (GF)
FOL:<\/strong> Olivier Northam (GF), Elijah Tsatas (OC, c), Will Ashcroft (SD)<\/p>\n\n\n\n