LOCAL rivals Sandringham Dragons may have stolen the last laugh, but Oakleigh Chargers came away with a high of four representatives in our Coates Talent League Team of the Week for Round 3. Every region contributed to this week’s edition – see who made the cut of our 24-player squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
>> CTL ROUND 3:<\/strong> Snapshot<\/a> | Player of the Week<\/a> | Scouting Notes<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n B:<\/strong> Tom Evans (BP) – Zac Walker (GP) – Xavier Taylor (ER) Unlike last week, there was a wealth of defensive options for our hypothetical back six, including a few quality talls. Over-agers Zac Walker<\/a> (Gippsland) and Ben Kennedy<\/a> (Murray) were near impenetrable as interceptors, clunking 10 and eight marks respectively to be the tall pillars of this week’s backline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Resolute Eastern Ranges prospect Xavier Taylor<\/a> also proved difficult to beat, taking four marks among his 17 touches and five rebound 50s. It was essentially a choice between Taylor and teammate Rod Ali<\/strong> (11 disposals, seven marks) for the third tall spot in defence, with the former winning out to feature again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bendigo’s Tom Evans<\/a> stuffed the stats sheet with a season-high 44 disposals in the Pioneers’ losing effort. He provided plenty of rebound power, as did Northern’s Ryan Commandeur<\/a> (26 disposals, 10 marks, nine rebound 50s) and Oakleigh playmaker Aaron Sharkie<\/a> (26 disposals, six inside 50s).<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n FOL:<\/strong> Zac McCarthy (OC) – Adam Sweid (CC) – Tanner Armstrong (MB) A balanced midfield features an on-ball group made up exclusively of club-tied players. Oakleigh ruck Zac McCarthy<\/a> and Western midfielder Thomas McGuane<\/a> boosted their stocks as Collingwood-bound prospects, with the latter named our Player of the Week for his 38 disposals and 10 clearances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Essendon Next Generation Academy (NGA) product Adam Sweid<\/a> continues to impress after racking up 30 touches and nine tackles in Calder’s loss to Northern. Combative bottom-ager Tanner Armstrong<\/a> (Richmond NGA) also stood tall in Murray’s defeat with a game-high 24 disposals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A pair of genuine wingmen take up their place on the outside. Bendigo’s Jaidi Jackson-Leahy<\/a> bagged 12 marks and showed poise with his 24 touches, also nabbing a goal. Emerging Sandringham midfielder Rory Wright<\/a> makes his way in for a third consecutive week after posting 24 disposals and nine marks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n HF:<\/strong> Jai Saxena (OC) – Floyd Burmeister (GWV) – Jesse Mellor (GF) The club-tied theme spills into this week’s forwardline, which is littered with three NGA candidates. Oakleigh surprise packet Jai Saxena<\/a> popped up with five goals to slot in at half-forward, adding to the excitement of Collingwood fans. The 179cm livewire burst onto the scene last week and consolidated it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Calder’s Hussien El Achkar<\/a> (17 disposals, 3.5) is tied to Essendon, while Geelong’s Jesse Mellor<\/a> (21 disposals, eight tackles, two goals) is a Cats prospect who impressed this week. While ineligible, Tairon Ah-Mu<\/a> (16 disposals, eight marks, 2.5) also spent time in Melbourne’s NGA program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eastern power forward Mitchell Hansen<\/a> was the round’s other five-goal hero, doing so from just nine touches. He features in the forward pocket, while athletic GWV Rebels tall Floyd Burmeister<\/a> broke a tough matchup to have 12 disposals and six marks, though only managed four minor scores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n INT: <\/strong>Xavier Bamert (SD), Kye Fincher (SD), Angus Ford (GF), Max Kondogiannis (OC), Zac O\u2019Keefe (GP), Callum Smith (DS)<\/p>\n\n\n\n There’s some versatility on the bench, for a change, with players able to rotate onto each line making the cut. Sandringham pair Xavier Bamert<\/a> and Kye Fincher<\/a> snuck in ahead of some Oakleigh counterparts, though Chargers defender Max Kondogiannis<\/a> was a lock after reeling in seven marks down back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Geelong small Angus Ford<\/a> bagged three goals in a crafty performance, while Dandenong midfielder Callum Smith<\/a> – the grandson of Richmond legend Kevin Bartlett<\/em><\/strong> – broke out with 25 touches and a goal. Gippsland midfielder-forward Zac O’Keefe<\/a> rounds out the side after an outing full of creativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\nDEFENCE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
HB:<\/strong> Aaron Sharkie (OC) – Ben Kennedy (MB) – Ryan Commandeur (NK)<\/p>\n\n\n\nMIDFIELD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
C: <\/strong>Jaidi Jackson-Leahy (BP) – Thomas McGuane (WJ) – Rory Wright (SD)<\/p>\n\n\n\nFORWARDS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
F:<\/strong> Mitchell Hansen (ER) – Tairon Ah-Mu (DS) – Hussien El Achkar (CC)<\/p>\n\n\n\nINTERCHANGE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n