AFTER claiming victory in the highest-scoring match of Round 3, Dandenong Stingrays boast four members of our Coates Talent League Team of the Week. A quartet of regions also contributed three players apiece as prospects looked to impress ahead of the Victorian Under 18 trials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
>> CTL Round 3:<\/strong> Snapshot<\/a> | Player of the Week<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n B: <\/strong>Harry Wilson (MB) – Thomas Barnett (CC) – Lachie Jaques (GF) Calder key defender Thomas Barnett<\/a> stands alone as the sole Metro player in our back six. The 195cm top-ager played a role on Northern’s Tom Sims<\/strong> in the absence of National Academy member Harry O’Farrell<\/strong>, picking up five marks from 13 disposals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The other tall to earn selection was Murray’s Matt Whitlock<\/a>, who enjoyed an enthralling battle with Geelong’s Zac McInnes<\/strong>. He ruled the airways with eight marks, while teammate Harrison Wilson<\/a> had nine to earn selection alongside Geelong co-captain Lachie Jaques<\/a> (eight) in the same game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Up on the flanks, Dandenong over-ager Ben Hopkins<\/a> slots in for a third-straight week after racking up 25 touches in the Stingrays’ win over Greater Western Victoria (GWV). Bendigo’s Lachlan Hogan<\/a> (27 disposals) was also prolific having spent the first half in midfield against Gippsland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n FOL: <\/strong>Jordan Doherty (DS) – Cody Anderson (ER) – Levi Ashcroft (SD) Dandenong co-captain Cooper Hynes<\/a> turned it on with a round-high 32 disposals to feature at the heart of our side this week. He’s joined by teammate Jordan Doherty<\/a>, who had 21 touches and 14 hitouts in the ruck, continuing to showcase his upside as an over-age prospect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eastern Ranges bull Cody Anderson<\/a> threw his weight around with nine tackles in a loss to Sandringham, but was rewarded with a couple of goals and a starting spot here. On the winning team, Levi Ashcroft<\/a> led all comers with 31 disposals, seven inside 50s and a goal as his side went 3-0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The midfield group is rounded out by a pair of versatile Country wingmen. GWV’s Jack Ough<\/a> put in a good account for himself on the outside, while Gippsland bottom-ager Duursma looked terrific in his moments before shifting back to arguably his most comfortable position in defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n HF: <\/strong>Xavier Ivisic (GF) – Jack Whitlock (MB) – Christian Moraes (ER) This week’s forward line is spearheaded by Player of the Week Will McLachlan<\/a>. The Geelong Falcons over-ager booted six goals from 12 disposals and six marks to go top of the Coates Talent League goalkicking charts. At 185cm, he’s our makeshift full forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the same game, recent AFL Academy inclusion Jack Whitlock<\/a> snared three majors and clunked eight marks to be among Murray’s best as a ruck-forward. Tasmania’s Lenny Douglas<\/a> also stood up in a loss, kicking three goals from 22 touches to really get his season going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Calder’s Isaac Kako<\/a> was his usual self and features in a pocket, while rotating mids Xavier Ivisic<\/a> (Geelong) and Christian Moraes<\/a> (Eastern) were too good to deny starting spots. The former led all comers with 29 touches against Murray, while the latter had 21 to go with three goals against Sandringham.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n INT: <\/strong>Tom Gross (OC), Damon Hollow (CC), Zak Johnson (NK), Noah Mraz (DS), Josh Smillie (ER), Jagga Smith (OC)<\/p>\n\n\n\n A quartet of National Academy members slot into the six-man interchange – namely Oakleigh midfielders Tom Gross<\/a> and Jagga Smith<\/a>, Eastern on-baller Josh Smillie<\/a>, and Dandenong key defender Noah Mraz<\/a>. There’s more talent in the final two spots, with Damon Hollow<\/a> and Zak Johnson<\/a> also selected having gone head-to-head in midfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\nDEFENCE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
HB: <\/strong>Ben Hopkins (DS) – Matt Whitlock (MB) – Lachlan Hogan (BP)<\/p>\n\n\n\nMIDFIELD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
C: <\/strong>Jack Ough (GWV) – Cooper Hynes (DS) – Willem Duursma (GP)<\/p>\n\n\n\nFORWARD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
F: <\/strong>Isaac Kako (CC) – Will McLachlan (GF) – Lenny Douglas (TD)<\/p>\n\n\n\nINTERCHANGE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n