{"id":127515,"date":"2023-04-03T11:30:02","date_gmt":"2023-04-03T01:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=127515"},"modified":"2023-04-03T11:30:03","modified_gmt":"2023-04-03T01:30:03","slug":"2023-coates-talent-league-player-of-the-week-round-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2023\/04\/03\/2023-coates-talent-league-player-of-the-week-round-2\/","title":{"rendered":"2023 Coates Talent League Player of the Week: Round 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

GEELONG Falcons livewire Tom Anastasopoulos<\/a> is our Coates Talent League Player of the Week for Round 2, after a scintillating performance in his side’s 39-point win over Oakleigh. The 176cm small forward backed up his three goals in Round 1 with five on Saturday, headlining a stat line of 18 disposals, seven marks, seven tackles, and seven inside 50s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anastasopoulos is a quick and agile mover whose strengths are difficult to contain, and he used all of his smarts to fill his boots this weekend. His eye-catching feats in front of goal helped Geelong down a highly touted Oakleigh team featuring one of the best bottom-age midfield trios in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 17-year-old turned out four times for the Falcons last year with a return of just two goals, but regularly hit the scoreboard for Geelong College in the APS competition and has started his top-age Coates Talent League campaign with a bang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malachi White<\/a> (24 disposals, two goals), Xavier Ivisic <\/strong>(18 disposals, one goal), and Angus Hastie<\/a> (17 disposals, eight rebound 50s) were among the other Falcons to impress, while star Charger Jagga Smith<\/a> led all comers with 26 touches and a goal in the losing effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Around the grounds, Tasmania Devils captain Tom Beaumont<\/a> can consider himself incredibly unlucky not to get the nod after picking up 38 disposals in his side’s win over Western. National Academy member Colby McKercher<\/a> (31 disposals, three behinds) was also in contention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eastern Ranges guns Josh Smillie<\/a> (27 disposals, two goals) and Nick Watson<\/a> (27 disposals, one goal) formed another notable partnership, while GWV Rebels defender George Stevens<\/a> (32 disposals, six rebound 50s) also put up big numbers in a win. They’ll all feature in our Team of the Week – stay tuned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for Anastasopoulos and his Falcons, they’ll next travel to face the GWV Rebels in Ballarat on Thursday April 6, with much of the Coates Talent League action in Round 3 scheduled for a blockbuster Good Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2023 COATES TALENT LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Round 1:<\/strong> Indhi Kirk<\/a> (Swans Academy)
Round 2: <\/strong>Thomas Anastasopoulos (Geelong Falcons)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mentions<\/span><\/span><\/div>