{"id":157661,"date":"2024-05-07T11:00:24","date_gmt":"2024-05-07T01:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=157661"},"modified":"2024-05-07T11:00:27","modified_gmt":"2024-05-07T01:00:27","slug":"2024-coates-talent-league-round-6-potw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2024\/05\/07\/2024-coates-talent-league-round-6-potw\/","title":{"rendered":"2024 Coates Talent League: Round 6 POTW"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DANDENONG Stingrays co-captain Cooper Hynes<\/a> is our Coates Talent League Player of the Week after starring in Round 6. The powerful midfielder-forward filled his boots with 23 disposals, six marks, and five goals as the ‘Rays defeated the Suns Academy by 29 points on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hynes beat Northern Knights ruck-forward Thomas Sims<\/a> to this week’s honours, winning 60 per cent of votes in our 24-hour poll. Sims tore Oakleigh to shreds in a 98-point victory on the same day, booting seven second-half goals from 15 kicks and 10 marks at Preston City Oval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back at Belvedere Reserve, Dandenong conceded the first five goals of the game but recovered strongly to run over the top of the Suns. Hynes’ outstanding performance saw him recognised as best afield by his coaches for the second time in four games this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 190cm top-ager is in strong form having also impressed in Vic Country colours against the Young Guns last weekend. He currently averages 25 disposals, seven inside 50s and more than a goal per game in the Coates Talent League as a strong contested midfielder who can hit the scoreboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hynes’ Stingrays now move to an even 2-2 and sit in ninth spot on the extended ladder. They will next face Tasmania Devils in a standalone Saturday game to open Round 7, making the tough interstate trip to the Apple Isle for an early start at UTAS Stadium in Launceston.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Around the grounds in Round 6, Round 1 Player of the Week Josh Smillie<\/a> certainly would have been in contention if not for his previous honour. The pick one contender put on a clinic with 34 disposals, 10 inside 50s and three goals as Eastern held on to beat the Lions Academy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Murray Bushrangers trio Matt Whitlock<\/a> (five goals), Joe Berry<\/a> (four), and Cohen Paul<\/a> were integral to their side’s 70-point thumping of the Giants Academy. Likely Vic Metro teammates Jagga Smith<\/a> (33 disposals) and Zak Johnson<\/a> (28) were also superb on opposing teams in the Oakleigh-Northern clash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2024 COATES TALENT LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Round 1: <\/strong>Josh Smillie<\/a> (Eastern Ranges)
Round 2: <\/strong>Taj Hotton<\/a> (Sandringham Dragons)
Round 3: <\/strong>Will McLachlan<\/a> (Geelong Falcons)
Round 4: <\/strong>N\/A
Round 5: <\/strong>Bailey McKenzie<\/a> (Sandringham Dragons)
Round 6: Cooper Hynes (Dandenong Stingrays)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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