AFTER one of the most competitive weekends of the season, five NAB League regions lay claim to a trio of representatives each in our Round 16 Team of the Week. We break down the 24-player squad, covering each line and three emergency spots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PLAYER OF THE WEEK:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Context played a big part in deciding this week’s top dog, though the recipient richly deserved his reward. Northern Knights bottom-ager Nate Caddy<\/a> came out victorious, after thriving in an altered role this week. Running through midfield at over 190cm, he racked up 20 disposals and booted three goals in his side’s 41-point win over Western – Northern’s third of the season. Nate is a relative of three-club AFL retiree Josh Caddy<\/strong>, and will be familiar to most having featured as a tall forward for Vic Metro’s Under 18s this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n DEFENDERS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n With four of six games decided by less than a goal, defenders had their work cut out across the competition. It was relatively tough to nail down the key position spots, so Josh Weddle<\/a> plays slightly above his height at centre half-back after an expansive outing for Oakleigh, while James Van Es<\/a>‘ intercept marking prowess earns him the full back spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There’s plenty of class elsewhere, with the flankers and pockets able to shift the side into attack. Harvey Gallagher<\/a> booted another two goals from half-back, earning his spot opposite fierce Geelong Falcons bottom-ager Angus Hastie<\/a>. Efficient distributors in Harry Flynn<\/a> and Ned Moodie<\/a> fill out the last line, adding to a back six which does a bit going both ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n MIDFIELDERS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This was easily the most difficult line to pick, especially with two top-five draft prospects essentially nailed on for centre bounce slots. Namely, they are Elijah Tsatas<\/a> and Will Ashcroft<\/a>, who were instrumental for their respective sides in the Oakleigh-Sandringham thriller. Both would have gone close to a Player of the Week nod, had they not already won said honours this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hugh Bond<\/a> joins them on-ball after proving instrumental in Greater Western Victoria’s (GWV) comeback win over Geelong. His selection squeezes Olli Hotton<\/a> out to a wing, while Bendigo utility Jason Gillbee<\/a> features on the opposite side. Not to be forgotten, Toby Murray<\/a> was a lock for the ruck spot having earned 21 hitouts, eight marks and a goal for the Bushrangers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FORWARDS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Caddy, who is usually a centre half-forward, fills that position as a result of the midfield squeeze, seeing him lead a potent forward line. His dual position status means GWV gun Aaron Cadman<\/a> is pushed to full forward, after he booted half of the Rebels’ eight goals in an epic comeback – including three in the final term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Powerful bottom-agers Sam Frangalas<\/a> and Harley Reid<\/a> are others capable of shifting on-ball, and found plenty of the pill as their sides both won by four points. Even younger than them is Under 16 talent Isaac Kako<\/a>, who joins Harry Sheezel<\/a> on the full forward line after his four-goal game for Calder. Both players produced sensational fourth quarters, but Sheezel could not quite drag his Dragons to victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n INTERCHANGE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A star-studded interchange of six is home to three players who racked up exactly 30 disposals – Cooper Harvey<\/a>, Harry Rowston<\/a>, and Mitch Szybkowski<\/a>. The likes of Oliver Hollands<\/a> (27) and Alwyn Davey<\/a> (26) were hard to deny as they further proved their first round credentials, while Coby Burgiel<\/a> was Gippsland’s best in a losing effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Three more midfielders – Patrick Hughes<\/a>, Noah Long<\/a>, and Darcy Weeks<\/a> – have been named as emergencies, and are incredibly unlucky to miss out this week. Others who were left on the cutting room floor include Matthew Jefferson<\/a> and Bailey Humphrey<\/a>, who both booted four goals from low disposal hauls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the same game as Jefferson, Angus Curry<\/a> and Luke Teal<\/a> were also terrific for Oakleigh, while Cameron Mackenzie<\/a> built into his craft for Sandringham. In opposition to Humphrey, Henry Hustwaite<\/a> stood tall alongside wingman Jaxon Binns<\/a> as a couple more names who could well have snuck into the side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n ROOKIE ME CENTRAL NAB LEAGUE BOYS TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 16<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n B: <\/strong>Harry Flynn (ER) – James Van Es (GWV) – Ned Moodie (DS) INT: <\/strong>Coby Burgiel (GP), Alwyn Davey Jr (OC), Cooper Harvey (NK), Oliver Hollands (MB), Harry Rowston (CC), Mitch Szybkowski (DS) <\/p>\n\n\n\n EMG: <\/strong>Patrick Hughes (GF), Noah Long (BP), Darcy Weeks (WJ)<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n
HB: <\/strong>Harvey Gallagher (BP) – Josh Weddle (OC) – Angus Hastie (GF)
C: <\/strong>Olli Hotton (SD) – Hugh Bond (GWV) – Jason Gillbee (BP)
HF: <\/strong>Sam Frangalas (DS) – Nate Caddy (NK, c) – Harley Reid (BP)
F: <\/strong>Harry Sheezel (SD) – Aaron Cadman (GWV) – Isaac Kako (CC)
FOL: <\/strong>Toby Murray (MB) – Elijah Tsatas (OC) – Will Ashcroft (SD)<\/p>\n\n\n\n