WXV Rising Star & Team of the Week 2021

[Purple 77]

Rising Star

NB: qualification  = AFL Rising Star criteria apply, and have to actually have played in the round for a WXV team

Every round, a World XVs rising star nomination is given to a standout young player whom performed well during that particular round. To be eligible to be nominated for the award, a player must be younger than 21 years of age on 1 January of the award year and have played 10 or fewer senior games before the beginning of the season.

R1: Lachlan Sholl (Toronto) - 91
R2: Errol Gulden (Moscow) - 136
R3: Deven Robertson (Christchurch) - 83
R4: Harry Schoenberg (Christchurch) - 101
R5: Mitch Georgiades (Mexico City) - 107
R6: Tom Powell (New York) - 96
R7: Tom Green (Buenos Aires) - 111
R8: James Jordon (Rio de Janeiro) - 85
R9: Caleb Poulter (Pacific) & Jack Bytel (London) - 66
R10: Cody Weightman (Tokyo) - 98
R11: Trent Bianco (Pacific) - 83
R12: Connor Idun (Pacific) - 76
R13: Justin McInerney (Toronto) - 100
R14: Matt Rowell (Seoul) - 83
R15: Riley Garcia (Cairo) - 62
R16: Jeremy Sharp (Buenos Aires) - 115
R17: Atu Bosenavulagi (Toronto) - 82



Team of the Week

Round 1

D: Callum Mills (Cape Town), Jack Bowes (Cape Town), Jake Lever (Beijing), Jordan Ridley (Tokyo)
M: Travis Boak [C] (Toronto), Tom Mitchell (Pacific), Andrew McGrath (New York), Andrew Brayshaw (Buenos Aires)
R: Matthew Flynn (Cairo)
F: Dustin Martin [VC] (Dublin), Isaac Heeney (Toronto), Dayne Zorko (Beijing), Jack Ziebell (Moscow)
U: Bailey Smith (PNL), Tom Hickey (PNL)

Coach: Holz (Dublin)

Round 2

D: Dan Houston [VC] (Beijing), Jordan Ridley (Tokyo), Jake Lloyd (New Delhi), Christian Salem (Dublin)
M: Marcus Bontempelli (Pacific), Jack Macrae (Toronto), Errol Gulden (Moscow), David Mundy (Mexico City)
R: Max Gawn (Berlin)
F: Zak Butters [C] (New Delhi), Tom Hawkins (Moscow), Josh Dunkley (Tokyo), Dustin Martin (Dublin)
U: Brodie Grundy (Beijing), Clayton Oliver (Seoul)

Co-coaches: RaisyDaisy (New York) & upthemaidens (Pacific)

Round 3

D: Jordan Ridley (Tokyo), Daniel Rich (Rio de Janeiro), Jeremy Howe (Dublin), Mark O'Connor (Dublin)
M: Cameron Guthrie (New York), Jaeger O'Meara (Cape Town), Rory Sloane (Dublin), Jarryd Lyons (Pacific)
R: Max Gawn (Berlin)
F: Josh Bruce [C] (Cairo), Lachlan Fogarty [VC] (Seoul), Jack Ziebell (Moscow), Harry McKay (Christchurch)
U: Brodie Grundy (Beijing), Hugh Greenwood (Cairo)

Coach: Urbaninfinnity (Beijing)

Round 4

D: Lachlan Sholl [C] (Toronto), Jayden Short (Buenos Aires), Blake Hardwick (New York), Jordan Ridley (Tokyo)
M: Hugh Greenwood [VC] (Cairo), Luke Parker (Moscow), Jack Steele (Seoul), Christian Petracca (Mexico City)
R: Timothy English (London)
F: Sam B Reid (Christchurch), Tim Membrey (London), Chad Wingard (Buenos Aires), Toby Greene (Dublin)
U: Jack Macrae (Toronto), Brad Crouch (Dublin)

Co-coaches: DazBurg & Hellopplz (PNL)

Round 5

D: Tom Stewart (Cairo), Liam Duggan (Pacific), Luke Ryan (PNL), Alex Witherden (Toronto)
M: Lachie Neale [VC] (Beijing), Sam Menegola (Cape Town), Jack Macrae (Toronto), David Mundy (Mexico City)
R: Max Gawn [C] (Berlin)
F: Jack Ziebell (Moscow), Josh Dunkley (Tokyo), Tom McDonald (Christchurch), Lance Franklin (Berlin)
U: Sam Walsh (Mexico City), Hugh McCluggage (Cairo)

Coach: GoLions (Cape Town)

Round 6

D: Christian Salem [VC] (Dublin), Lachlan Ash (Buenos Aires), Callum Mills (Cape Town), Ryan Burton (Toronto)
M: Darcy Parish (Buenos Aires), Ben Keays (PNL), Mitch Duncan (Cape Town), Touk Miller (London)
R: Brodie Grundy (Beijing)
F: Jack Ziebell [C] (Moscow), Josh Dunkley (Tokyo), Rowan Marshall (Toronto), Harry McKay (Christchurch)
U: Max Gawn (Berlin), David Mundy (Mexico City)

Coach: PowerBug (Rio de Janeiro)

Round 7

D: Steven May [VC] (Berlin), Bachar Houli (Beijing), Alex Keath (Cairo), Harris Andrews (Cape Town)
M: Zak Jones [C] (Berlin), Ben Cunnington (Cape Town), Brandon Ellis (Beijing), Hugh Greenwood (Cairo)
R: Brodie Grundy (Beijing)
F: Jack Darling (Toronto), Shai Bolton (Mexico City), Bailey Dale (Cairo), Charlie Cameron (Tokyo)
U: Tim Taranto (Rio de Janeiro), Joel Selwood (Berlin)

Coach: Urbaninfinnity (Beijing)

Round 8

D: Jacob Weitering [C] (Mexico City), Callum Mills (Cape Town), Daniel Rich (Rio de Janeiro), James Harmes (Berlin)
M: Marcus Bontempelli [VC] (Pacific), Tom Mitchell (Pacific), Jarryd Lyons (Pacific), Andrew Gaff (Pacific)
R: Brodie Grundy (Beijing)
F: Tom Hawkins (Moscow), Jeremy Cameron (Rio de Janeiro), Jordan De Goey (Buenos Aires), Jarman Impey (Tokyo)
U: Sam Docherty (Moscow), Zach Merrett (PNL)

Coach: PowerBug (Rio de Janeiro)

Round 9

D: Blake Hardwick (New York), Liam Baker (London), Alex Witherden (Toronto), Mason Redman (Christchurch)
M: Jy Simpkin [C] (New York), Clayton Oliver (Seoul), Ollie Wines (Buenos Aires), Jarryd Lyons (Pacific)
R: Todd Goldstein [VC] (Dublin)
F: Dayne Zorko (Beijing), Tom McDonald (Christchurch), Nick Hind (London), Daniel McStay (London)
U: Sean Darcy (Christchurch), Jacob Hopper (Tokyo)

Coach: Holz (Dublin)

Round 10

D: Jordan Dawson (New Delhi), Darcy Moore (PNL), Zac Williams (Tokyo), Rory Laird (Pacific)
M: Clayton Oliver [C] (Seoul), Marcus Bontempelli [VC] (Pacific), Darcy Parish (Buenos Aires), Jack Macrae (Toronto)
R: Brodie Grundy (Beijing)
F: Bailey Dale (Cairo), Lance Franklin (Berlin), Rory Lobb (Christchurch), Robbie Gray (PNL)
U: Tom Liberatore (Tokyo), Paul Seedsman (PNL)

Co-coaches: DazBurg & Hellopplz (PNL)

Round 11

D: Jake Lloyd (New Delhi), Jack Lukosius (London), Harry Cunningham (Tokyo), Lachie Whitfield (Tokyo)
M: Jack Steele (Seoul), Touk Miller (London), Jack Macrae (Toronto), Chris Mayne (Cape Town)
R: Nic Naitanui [C] (Mexico City)
F: Dayne Zorko [VC] (Beijing), Jack Riewoldt (Dublin), Charlie Dixon (Seoul), Tim Membrey (London)
U: Reilly O'Brien (Buenos Aires), Mitch Robinson (Cairo)

Coach: Pkbaldy (Mexico City)

Round 12

D: Rory Laird (Pacific), Luke Ryan (PNL), Tom Stewart (Cairo), Jack Crisp (Seoul)
M: Darcy Parish [C] (Buenos Aires), Marcus Bontempelli (Pacific), Josh Kelly (Moscow), Ollie Wines (Buenos Aires)
R: Max Gawn (Berlin)
F: Jeremy Cameron [VC] (Rio de Janeiro), Aaron Hall (Mexico City), Tim Membrey (London), Kyle Langford (New York)
U: Brad Crouch (Dublin), Jack Steele (Seoul)

Coach: upthemaidens (Pacific)

Round 13

D: Jacob Weitering (Mexico City), Jack Scrimshaw (Buenos Aires), Daniel Rich (Rio de Janeiro), Dougal Howard (PNL)
M: Marcus Bontempelli [VC] (Pacific), Zach Merrett (PNL), Jack Macrae (Toronto), Ben Keays (PNL)
R: Todd Goldstein (Dublin)
F: Dayne Zorko [C] (Beijing), Lance Franklin (Berlin), Steele Sidebottom (PNL), Aaron Naughton (Mexico City)
U: Brodie Grundy (Beijing), Jack Steele (Seoul)

Coach: Urbaninfinnity (Beijing)

Round 14

D: Marcus Adams (PNL), Steven May (Berlin), Rory Laird (Pacific), Luke Ryan (PNL)
M: Darcy Parish [VC] (Buenos Aires), Jack Steele (Seoul), Touk Miller (London), Jack Macrae (Toronto)
R: Sean Darcy [C] (Christchurch)
F: Patrick Dangerfield (Seoul), Charlie Dixon (Seoul), Zac Bailey (Pacific), Jack Ziebell (Moscow)
U: Sam Walsh (Mexico City), Andrew Brayshaw (Buenos Aires)

Coach: JBs-Hawks (Seoul)

Round 15

D: Jordan Dawson (New Delhi), Jayden Short (Buenos Aires), Daniel Rich (Rio de Janeiro), Callum Mills (Cape Town)
M: Christian Petracca [VC] (Mexico City), Sam Walsh (Mexico City), Jack Steele (Seoul), Touk Miller (London)
R: Sean Darcy [C] (Christchurch)
F: Jaidyn Stephenson (Cape Town), Nick Hind (London), Rory Lobb (Christchurch), Tom McDonald (Christchurch)
U: Zach Merrett (PNL), Brodie Grundy (Beijing)

Coach: Ringo (London)

Round 16

D: Trent McKenzie (New Delhi), Ryan Burton (Toronto), Jake Kelly (New York), Jake Lever (Beijing)
M: Sam Walsh [C] (Mexico City), Tom Mitchell [VC] (Pacific), Ollie Wines (Buenos Aires), Jack Steele (Seoul)
R: Sean Darcy (Christchurch)
F: Jamie Cripps (New York), Peter Wright (Pacific), Patrick Dangerfield (Seoul), Jack Riewoldt (Dublin)
U: Clayton Oliver (Seoul), Darcy Parish (Buenos Aires)

Coach: Pkbaldy (Mexico City)

Round 17

D: Rory Laird [C] (Pacific), Lachie Whitfield (Tokyo), Caleb Daniel (Beijing), Jack Crisp (Seoul)
M: Josh P Kennedy (Dublin), Jack Macrae (Toronto), Clayton Oliver (Seoul), Bailey Smith (PNL)
R: Oscar McInerney (New Delhi)
F: Patrick Dangerfield [VC] (Seoul),  Tarryn Thomas (Rio de Janeiro), Isaac Heeney (Toronto), Aaron Hall (Mexico City)
U: Zak Jones (Berlin), Brayden Fiorini (New Delhi)

Coach: JBs-Hawks (Seoul)

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Eligible Rising Stars by Club

Beijing Thunder
Callum M Brown
Cameron Taheny
Deividas Uosis
Isaac Chugg
Jy Farrar
Lachlan Gollant
Liam McMahon
Luke Edwards
Matthew Allison
Ned Cahill

Berlin Brewers
Austin Bradtke
Francis Evans
Logan McDonald
Luke Pedlar
Nathan O'Driscoll
Sam Ramsay

Buenos Aires Armadillos
Braeden Campbell
Brandon Walker
Brodie Kemp
Corey Durdin
Finlay Macrae
Jack Ginnivan
Jeremy Sharp
Joel Jeffrey
Tom Green
Tyler Brockman

Cairo Sands
Alex Davies
Buku Khamis
Josh Worrell
Leo Connolly
Matt McGuinness
Riley Garcia
Sam Philp
Tom Joyce
Tom Sparrow

Cape Town Cobras
Brock Smith
Chad Warner
Ely Smith
Jaxon Prior
Kade Chandler
Tanner Bruhn
Trent Burgoyne
Trent Rivers
Will Hamill

Christchurch Saints
Bailey Laurie
Deven Robertson
Harry Schoenberg
Jackson Mead
Jake Pasini
Lachlan Jones
Liam Stocker
Louis Butler
Ryan Byrnes
Zane Trew

Dublin Destroyers
Bigoa Nyuon
Cian McBride
Cody Brand
Edward McHenry
Jack Mahony
Jacob Koschitzke
Josh Treacy
Leno Thomas
Minairo Frederick
Seamus Mitchell
Tariek Newchurch

London Royals
Ben Johnson
Irving Mosquito
Jack Bytel
Keidean Coleman
Max Holmes
Nick Stevens
Reef McInnes
Rhys Nicholls
Thomas Berry
Xavier O'Neill

Mexico City Suns
Archie Perkins
Bailey J Williams
Callum Jamieson
Flynn Perez
Hayden Young
Hugo Ralphsmith
Mitch Georgiades
Oliver Henry
Riley Collier-Dawkins
Sam Flanders
Sam Sturt
Trey Ruscoe

Moscow Spetsnaz
Blake Coleman
Errol Gulden
Fraser Rosman
Harrison Pepper
Harry Jones
Heath Chapman
Hewago Oea
Jack Carroll
Josh Honey
Miles Bergman
Nick Bryan
Noah Cumberland
Sam Berry
Thomson Dow
Zach Reid

New Delhi Tigers
Aiden Fyfe
Dylan Stephens
Finn Maginness
Henry Smith
Jack Saunders
Lachlan Johnson
Will Shaw

New York Revolution
Aaron Nietschke
Beau McCreery
Ben Jarvis
Cameron Fleeton
Conor Stone
Fischer McAsey
Josh Eyre
Malachy Carruthers
Malcolm Rosas
Oscar Brownless
Patrick Murtagh
Paul Tsapatolis
Phoenix Spicer
Tom Powell
Will Phillips

No Club
Deakyn Smith
Kaine Baldwin
Nick Murray

Pacific Islanders
Caleb Poulter
Charlie Lazzaro
Connor Idun
Cooper Stephens
Emerson Jeka
Harry Edwards
Lachlan McNeil
Luke Valente
Mark Keane
Matt Conroy
Trent Bianco
Will Gould
Will Martyn

PNL Reindeers
Carter Michael
Jay Rantall
Nikolas Cox
Ryan Angwin
Sam De Koning
Tom Hird

Rio de Janeiro Jaguars
Charlie Comben
Eddie Ford
Harry Sharp
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
James Jordon
Joel Western
Taj Schofield
Will Kelly

Seoul Magpies
Caleb Graham
Connor Downie
Connor McFadyen
Elijah Hollands
Jez McLennan
Liam Henry
Luke Jackson
Luke Parks
Matt Rowell
Rhylee West
Shannon Neale
Toby Bedford

Tokyo Samurai
Brayden Cook
Cody Weightman
Dylan Williams
Isiah Winder
Martin Frederick
Matthew Cottrell
Patrick Walker
Riley Thilthorpe
Ronin O'Connor
Xavier O'Halloran

Toronto Wolves
Atu Bosenavulagi
Boyd Woodcock
Damon Greaves
Denver Grainger-Barras
Dominic Bedendo
Jake Bowey
James Borlase
Josh Morris
Justin McInerney
Lachlan Sholl
Marc Sheather
Ollie Lord

[Purple 77]

Round 1

Rising Star

Well isn't this unique! I'd hazard a guess and say this is the first time ever we've had a player receive consecutive Rising Star nominations! Following on from his R17 nomination in 2020, Toronto's Lachlan Sholl (91) has had another stab at it, this time getting in early! Although, he would have been absolutely blitzed by Moscow's Errol Gulden (139) had he played.



Team of the Week

A fascinating team this one. Cape Town claim D1 and D2 with a very impressive defensive display. The two highest active WXV game holders Travis Boak (166 games) and Dustin Martin (168 games) lead the team, Cairo's Matthew Flynn takes out the R1 position on debut, Tom Hickey gives instant ROI to PNL, whilst the forward line seriously underperformed with Jack Ziebell's 113 (36th highest score of the week) earning a spot.

Special mention to Taylor Walker (146) and the aforementioned Errol Gulden (139) for overperforming in the reserves.

Heaps of cool stats in that one!

D: Callum Mills (Cape Town), Jack Bowes (Cape Town), Jake Lever (Beijing), Jordan Ridley (Tokyo)
M: Travis Boak [C] (Toronto), Tom Mitchell (Pacific), Andrew McGrath (New York), Andrew Brayshaw (Buenos Aires)
R: Matthew Flynn (Cairo)
F: Dustin Martin [VC] (Dublin), Isaac Heeney (Toronto), Dayne Zorko (Beijing), Jack Ziebell (Moscow)
U: Bailey Smith (PNL), Tom Hickey (PNL)

Coach: Holz (Dublin)

[Nige]

Flynn on debut in TOTW  8)

[Purple 77]

Round 2

Rising Star

Oh my, what an incredible pair of debut games for Moscow's Errol Gulden (136)! The Spetsnaz took the message last week, wasting Gulden's 139 last week but didn't make the same mistake twice. Errol was head and shoulders above the rest this week.



Zak Butters leads the team this week courtesy of a mammoth 163, followed closely by Dan Houston at 156. As mentioned, Moscow promptly corrected its Round 1 mistake and named Gulden who is currently the 4th highest SCer, whilst the #1 SCer hasn't even played a WXV game yet! Will we see the 145 averaging Tex Walker next week?

Also, good to see all is in order in the ruck department. And name a more iconic coaching duo, I'll wait.

Team of the Week

D: Dan Houston [VC] (Beijing), Jordan Ridley (Tokyo), Jake Lloyd (New Delhi), Christian Salem (Dublin)
M: Marcus Bontempelli (Pacific), Jack Macrae (Toronto), Errol Gulden (Moscow), David Mundy (Mexico City)
R: Max Gawn (Berlin)
F: Zak Butters [C] (New Delhi), Tom Hawkins (Moscow), Josh Dunkley (Tokyo), Dustin Martin (Dublin)
U: Brodie Grundy (Beijing), Clayton Oliver (Seoul)

Co-coaches: RaisyDaisy (New York) & upthemaidens (Pacific)

[Purple 77]

Round 3

Rising Star

There was a few players that could have won this week if they had been named, so sucks to be them! Christchurch's Deven Robertson (83) is this week's winner, edging out Cape Town's Trent Rivers (79) for the honour. I'm sure Nik Cox (93) will get another chance down the line, as this weeks #1 from the eligible pool.



A few new names in this team, but none more impressive than Captain Bruce! The 10-goal kicking Cairo forward led the Sands to a great win, with some support from Hugh Greenwood. But it was the week of the forwards where Harry Mckay's 145 could only net him F4!

Also, appreciate Max Gawn saving me editing time from quoting/updating last weeks post, and keeping that scrub on the bench.

Team of the Week

D: Jordan Ridley (Tokyo), Daniel Rich (Rio de Janeiro), Jeremy Howe (Dublin), Mark O'Connor (Dublin)
M: Cameron Guthrie (New York), Jaeger O'Meara (Cape Town), Rory Sloane (Dublin), Jarryd Lyons (Pacific)
R: Max Gawn (Berlin)
F: Josh Bruce [C] (Cairo), Lachlan Fogarty [VC] (Seoul), Jack Ziebell (Moscow), Harry McKay (Christchurch)
U: Brodie Grundy (Beijing), Hugh Greenwood (Cairo)

Coach: Urbaninfinnity (Beijing)

[Nige]

Baroooooooooooose

[Purple 77]

Round 4

Rising Star

They may have had a tough start to the season, but Christchurch can find some solace in back-to-back rising star nominations. Congrats to Harry Schoenberg (101) for cracking the ton, whom lead all other not-already nominated eligible players.

Tom Powell (101) would have joined him if chosen!



A unique team - one dominated by midfielders, one where the best forward (Aaron Hall) was ineligble, but one where Lachlan Sholl (160) is it's leader!  The twice-nominated rising star showed his ceiling and his credentialed adversaries a thing or two.

Team of the Week

D: Lachlan Sholl [C] (Toronto), Jayden Short (Buenos Aires), Blake Hardwick (New York), Jordan Ridley (Tokyo)
M: Hugh Greenwood [VC] (Cairo), Luke Parker (Moscow), Jack Steele (Seoul), Christian Petracca (Mexico City)
R: Timothy English (London)
F: Sam B Reid (Christchurch), Tim Membrey (London), Chad Wingard (Buenos Aires), Toby Greene (Dublin)
U: Jack Macrae (Toronto), Brad Crouch (Dublin)

Co-coaches: DazBurg & Hellopplz (PNL)

[fanTCfool]

Greatest N72 of all time  :-*

[Purple 77]

Round 5

Rising Star

The Suns just keep churning out the Rising Stars every year, and Mitch Georgiades (107) is no exception, leading all eligible players this week.



Heaps of familiar faces in this team. Captain Max assumes his position as #1 player in the league, Neale returns back to normal broadcasting, whilst veterans Mundy and Franklin show they've still got it. It's a very nice team to look at, this one. Purely for the aesthetics, I'm certainly glad Lincoln McCarthy played reserves this week ;)

And Kudos to GL for being coach of the week! 5 rounds, 5 different COTW!

Team of the Week

D: Tom Stewart (Cairo), Liam Duggan (Pacific), Luke Ryan (PNL), Alex Witherden (Toronto)
M: Lachie Neale [VC] (Beijing), Sam Menegola (Cape Town), Jack Macrae (Toronto), David Mundy (Mexico City)
R: Max Gawn [C] (Berlin)
F: Jack Ziebell (Moscow), Josh Dunkley (Tokyo), Tom McDonald (Christchurch), Lance Franklin (Berlin)
U: Sam Walsh (Mexico City), Hugh McCluggage (Cairo)

Coach: GoLions (Cape Town)

[Nige]

How good!

[Purple 77]

How good!

*edit*

[Nige]

How good!

*edit*

Still two of Karen's boys in TOTW

[Purple 77]

Round 6

Rising Star

Coming in as an emergency for his side, Tom Powell (96) was part of the valiant New York effort which fell short of round-toppers Rio. The mistimed resting of Luke Jackson however robbed him of a nom, whilst Koschitzke also tonned for Belfast.



A quirky little team this one! Jack Ziebell has claimed the F1 spot his home, dwelling in back-to-back weeks in that real estate, this time as leader! Chris Salem's career best game earns him the VC, and together lead a rag tag team of mids headed by Parish and Keays.

It was certainly a midfielders week, dominating the top 34 highest scorers (Ryan Burton being #34), assisted by Peter Wright (147) and Tom Jonas (131) repping the bookends from the 2s.

And with PB, makes 6 different coaches of the week from 6 rounds!

Team of the Week

D: Christian Salem [VC] (Dublin), Lachlan Ash (Buenos Aires), Callum Mills (Cape Town), Ryan Burton (Toronto)
M: Darcy Parish (Buenos Aires), Ben Keays (PNL), Mitch Duncan (Cape Town), Touk Miller (London)
R: Brodie Grundy (Beijing)
F: Jack Ziebell [C] (Moscow), Josh Dunkley (Tokyo), Rowan Marshall (Toronto), Harry McKay (Christchurch)
U: Max Gawn (Berlin), David Mundy (Mexico City)

Coach: PowerBug (Rio de Janeiro)

[PowerBug]

Manager of the week with 0 players in the team of the week :) Has that ever happened before?