2025 minor premiers Gippsland Power boast a high of four members in our Round 1 Team of the Week, as they push to become this year’s Talent League frontrunners. The Power were unstoppable in an 87-point demolition of Murray, while Western, Sandringham and Dandenong contributed three players apiece after their big wins. Check out who made the cut in our 23-player squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
>> MORE: <\/strong>Snapshot<\/a> | Player of the Week<\/a> | Scouting Notes<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n B:<\/strong> Fletcher Pulleine (GF) – Jacob Marron (WJ) – Archie Devine (TD) This week’s defence is littered with good ball users, both tall and small. Tasmanian pair Jake Beams<\/a> (27 disposals) and Archie Devine<\/a> (26) ran rampant for the Devils, with the latter also moving on-ball after half time. In the same game, Bendigo bottom-ager Max Thompson<\/a> showed his class to boot two goals from a game-high 32 touches as the Pioneers held on to win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gippsland Power prospect Xavier Ladbrook<\/a> ran at 100 percent efficiency with his 15 disposals and 10 marks to lock in a spot at centre half-back. The 201cm ‘unicorn’ is joined by Western over-ager Jacob Marron<\/a> after his 23 disposals and eight marks in the Jets’ win over Calder. Meanwhile, Fletcher Pulleine<\/a> also slots in on the last line after notching 20 touches and seven marks in Geelong’s loss to Dandenong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n FOL:<\/strong> Macauli Buck (WJ) – Arki Butler (SD) – Andrio Sousa (DS) Player of the Week Arki Butler<\/a> was a lock on-ball having proven his craft with 26 disposals (17 contested possessions) and four goals as Sandringham beat Eastern. Teammate Albert MacGowan<\/a> (31 disposals) was everywhere in that game and finds his spot on the wing, opposite to smooth moving Ranges prospect Harrison Chapman<\/a>. The latter played on-ball, but was too good not to pick with 30 disposals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carlton father-son gun Cody Walker<\/a> started his season in fine form, willing himself to 28 disposals, eight clearances and two goals in the Pios’ win over Tasmania. Dandenong vice-captain Andrio Sousa<\/a> also starts on-ball after his team-high 25 disposals, while over-age Western tall Macauli Buck<\/a> beat plenty of strong contenders to earn the ruck spot after winning 23 disposals, 22 hitouts and eight clearances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n HF:<\/strong> Cody Templeton (GP) – Jake Miller (WJ) – Jackson Phillips (DS) A trio of keen goalkickers headline this week’s front six. Gippsland marking machine Wil Malady<\/a> booted six in his side’s thumping win over Murray, while hybrid midfielder Cody Templeton<\/a> settled for 4.4 to also earn a spot in the team. Meanwhile, star Western bottom-ager Jake Miller<\/a> notched three goals from an imposing 21 disposals and 11 marks as the Jets kicked away from Calder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sandringham over-ager Ollie Griffin<\/a> (six marks, two goals) was strong aerially and provided great pressure in the Dragons’ win, ensuring his spot in the pocket. Dandenong mid-forward Jackson Phillips<\/a> (20 disposals, two goals) also debuts in the side, while 205cm Northern ruck Harry Van Hattum<\/a> (20 hitouts, five clearances, two goals) starts at full forward where he usually rotates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n INT:<\/strong> Tanner Armstrong (MB), Judd Burgiel (GP), Harvie Cooke (NK), Gus Kennedy (DS), Jordan Knapp (ER), Noah Williams (GF)<\/p>\n\n\n\n There was a definite selection squeeze this week, with plenty of small forwards in particular having to make way for prolific midfielders. The likes of Tanner Armstrong<\/a> (36 disposals, seven clearances), Jordan Knapp<\/a> (32 disposals, seven marks), and Noah Williams<\/a> (23 disposals) were their sides’ top ball winners in resounding losses. Meanwhile, Harvie Cooke<\/a> (29 disposals, nine tackles, nine clearances), Judd Burgiel<\/a> (23 disposals, nine tackles), and Gus Kennedy<\/a> (21 disposals, one goal) performed well in strong wins to round out the six-player interchange bench.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\nDEFENCE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
HB:<\/strong> Max Thompson (BP) – Xavier Ladbrook (GP) – Jake Beams (TD)<\/p>\n\n\n\nMIDFIELD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
C:<\/strong> Albert Macgowan (SD) – Cody Walker (BP) – Harrison Chapman (ER)<\/p>\n\n\n\nFORWARD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
F:<\/strong> Ollie Griffin (SD) – Harry Van Hattum (NK) – Wil Malady (GP)<\/p>\n\n\n\nINTERCHANGE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n