ANOTHER eight-game weekend awaits as the Coates Talent League rolls into Round 2 tomorrow. Seven of the fixtures are scheduled for Saturday April 1, but the only fools will be those not tuning into a bumper day of pathway football. Tasmania enters the fray this time out, and we preview how each matchup may pan out.

Saturday April 1, 11:00am @ Marty Busch Reserve

LAST TIME OUT

Both sides are coming off impressive wins in Round 1, so will put their perfect records on the line in Sebastopol. The Swans booted found their groove late in a 28-point win over Western, booting the last seven goals of the game to overcome a three quarter time deficit. Conversely, the Rebels led at every break against Bendigo en route to a 16-point win on home turf.

ONES TO WATCH

An exciting addition to GWV’s winning lineup is bottom-ager Sam Lalor, who slots right into the starting midfield. Arguably the Rebels’ best line on paper is half-back, featuring flankers George Stevens and Luamon Lual on either side of over-age tall Felix Fogaty. The Swans look most potent in midfield, boasting National Academy members Caiden Cleary and Lachlan Cabor along with over-age father son candidate Indhi Kirk, who was our Round 1 Player of the Week.

PREDICTION

GWV is always difficult to beat on home turf and should have enough toughness in midfield to combat Sydney’s strong ball winners. Around the ground, their depth may prove too much. Rebels by 12.

Saturday April 1, 11:00am @ Highgate Recreation Reserve

LAST TIME OUT

Another two teams coming off Round 1 wins, the Dragons and Cannons promise to put on a quality display in their second outings. Reigning premier Sandringham competed in what was arguably the match of the round last week, downing Eastern by 14 points to stamp its flag credentials. The Cannons were much scrappier against Gold Coast, but ran out 20-point victors nonetheless in a low-scoring affair at the same venue as this game – their home deck.

ONES TO WATCH

There’s so much quality across the ground for Sandringham, that it would be difficult to single out just a few. Even the most casual watchers would have heard about bottom-age father son gun Levi Ashcroft, who will join National Academy member Ryley Sanders and skipper Will Brown in midfield. Elsewhere, watch for the flair of Taj Hotton (brother of Olli).

Calder has a father-son of its own in Jordan Croft, who is tied to the Western Bulldogs and comes in at full forward. Ryan Eyre was in fine fettle last week and bottom-ager Isaac Kako is an excitement machine up forward, while over-agers Declan Willmore and Rye Penny will have plenty to prove through the middle.

PREDICTION

Calder offers even contribution across the board and has a couple of game-winners, but despite having home ground advantage, it is always difficult to look past a relatively full strength Sandringham. Dragons by 20.

Saturday April 1, 11:45am @ Queen Elizabeth Oval

LAST TIME OUT

For the first time in Round 2, teams who suffered defeats in the opening weekend will meet. Bendigo brought the fight to GWV last week in a 16-point loss on the road, while GWS rode the wave of Northern’s inaccuracy to stay in the contest to the death, falling short by seven points.

ONES TO WATCH

As always, top AFL Draft prospect Harley Reid is the main event here. He should have his hands full in midfield after the Round 1 showings of Giants pair Harvey Thomas and Daniel Gauci, while the Giants’ small-medium defenders were in good order last week. Over-ager Mitch Dodos is an inclusion for Bendigo at centre half-back, having impressed during preseason.

PREDICTION

The Giants proved they can scrap their way to close contests last week, but perhaps fell short when it came to fundamentals in their first outing. They’ll be better for it this time out, but so will Bendigo – who seem to improve week on week. Pioneers by 5.

Saturday April 1, 1:00pm @ Deakin University

LAST TIME OUT

Oakleigh was arguably the most impressive attacking side in Round 1, and looked potent throughout a 47-point victory over the Lions Academy. The Chargers were the only side to kick over 100 points (14.17). Meanwhile, Geelong notched an impressive 30-point win over 2022 grand finalist Dandenong, exceeding plenty of early expectations.

ONES TO WATCH

Oakleigh is always hard to look past in terms of top-end draftable talent, except this season most fall into the bottom-age category. Jagga Smith, Finn O’Sullivan and Tom Gross will again run through midfield, but top-age National Academy member Will Lorenz has not been named.

Geelong was well served by bull-like midfielder Patrick Hughes last time out, and his clearance prowess will allow forward spearhead Michael Rudd to shine. The Falcons also have a handy tall inclusion in Joe Pike, who usually rolls through the ruck.

PREDICTION

Geelong is a well drilled unit under coach Paul Corrigan and the Falcons’ structure should hold up well in the face of Oakleigh’s threatening attacking transitions. Still, it’s always difficult to stop an irresistible force. Chargers by 13.

Saturday April 1, 1:15pm @ Highgate Recreation Reserve

LAST TIME OUT

These are another two teams who will be out to claim their first win of 2023, having been beaten by two of the three biggest margins last week. Brisbane suffered the heaviest loss at the hands of Oakleigh (47 points), while Dandenong hardly lowered its colours, but was defeated by Geelong to the tune of five goals.

ONES TO WATCH

Brisbane has another McFadyen on its hands in the form of Fergus, a 189cm bottom-ager who comes into the side this week. There’s some decent tall talent there, with Billy Richardson, Patrick Snell, and skipper Bradley McDonald among them.

Dandenong lays claim to arguably the best addition of the round in co-captain Cooper Simpson. He will lead a dynamic midfield group featuring the likes of Sam Frangalas, Harry De Mattia, and Kade De La Rue under the ruckmanship of Melbourne-listed rookie Kyah Farris-White.

PREDICTION

Brisbane was overawed by a high calibre opponent last week but should bounce back, and has history against Dandenong, who beat the Lions by 20 points in Round 2 last year. The Stingrays will seldom play two bad games in a row this year though: Dandenong by 25 points.

Saturday April 1, 2:00pm @ Wangaratta Showgrounds

LAST TIME OUT

The first battle between a winner and a loser in Round 1 comes in this weekend’s sixth fixture, as Northern looks to go 2-0 against the Bushrangers. The Knights will have to convert far better than in their seven-point win against the Giants though, where they managed 5.19 (49). Murray was beaten by 37 points at the hands of Gippsland, who make for admittedly strong opposition.

ONES TO WATCH

Northern has pulled an early selection shock with high-flying forward Nate Caddy named at centre half-forward. He was expected to miss around a month of footy. He will inevitably be one to watch alongside captain and fellow National Academy member William Green in the ruck, while Murray standout Darcy Wilson is coming off 29 disposals and three goals. Tall utility Connor O’Sullivan rounds out the highly touted talent afield, able to play on any line for the Bushies.

PREDICTION

Northern fared well against a competitive unit last week but will have to be much sharper this time out, and the inclusion of Caddy helps a great deal. Still, the road trip may take its toll and Murray will be tough to beat at home. Bushrangers by 10.

Saturday April 1, 5:45pm @ Dial Park (Penguin)

LAST TIME OUT

The Western Jets looked good in patches last week, but were ultimately overrun by Sydney in the final term after leading at two breaks. On the other hand, Tasmania had an extra week to prepare and enters the fray for the first time in 2023 with a handy home fixture in Penguin.

ONES TO WATCH

It’s hard to look past Logan Morris as far as outstanding talent goes for Western. The strong marking key forward booted four goals last week and is an ominous force in full flight. Western will hope to get more out of Alex Tsia in the middle and over-ager Jovan Petric up forward after quiet outings in Round 1.

Tasmania’s top prospect is midfielder Colby McKercher, who starts in midfield alongside skipper Thomas Beaumont. Watch for bottom-ager Oliver Depaoli-Kubank to run rings on the outside, and Jack Callinan to snare a few goals up forward.

PREDICTION

The Jets ran out of fuel last week and against arguably better opposition this week, cannot afford to take their foot off the gas. They could jump Tasmania at the start, but the home side looks a good unit on paper and proved as much last year. Devils by 17.

Sunday April 2, 12:00pm @ Highgate Recreation Reserve

LAST TIME OUT

Eastern was essentially the most impressive loser in Round 1 having gone down by 14 points to Sandringham, but will hope to convert early promise into points. The Suns were a little scrappy to start out in their 20-point loss to Calder, with skills and connection between the lines lacking a touch. The underlying class is there though.

ONES TO WATCH

Gold Coast forward Jed Walter is a very hard man to keep down, but should have a decent matchup this week in Eastern defender Cooper Trembath. Along with Walter, the Suns boast two more national academy members in mobile ruck Ethan Read and crafty small Jake Rogers, while Will Graham is their centrepiece through midfield.

The Ranges also have top-end talent in the form of livewire Nick Watson, while outside runners Caleb Windsor and Cam Nyko should fare well in feeding tall forwards Brayden LaPlanche and Riley Weatherill with quick delivery. In the bottom-age category, big bodied midfielder Josh Smillie looks incredibly promising.

PREDICTION

On paper, this looks like being a relatively close contest, though either sides’ Round 1 form tells a slightly different story. Both will be out for their first points of the season and Eastern has a better chance of being fresher without travel, but should prove too classy across the board in any case. Ranges by 23.