A NORTHERN Academy themed triple-header makes up the entire Coates Talent League fixture in Round 6, with all six academies converging on the Gold Coast this Saturday. We preview each of the three fixtures with a look at some of the top prospects to keep an eye on.

Saturday April 29, 9:30am @ Austworld Centre Oval

IN A SENTENCE

The Tasmania Devils can snatch top spot with a win when they travel to face the Giants Academy, who remain without a victory in 2023.

FORM

Sitting pretty at 3-1, the Devils have clicked into gear over the last fortnight with impressive wins over Eastern and the Northern Territory Academy. That latter was last week’s sole fixture, and plenty of Tassie players filled their boots in the 136-point drubbing.

On the other hand, the Giants Academy has lost all four of its Talent League outings to date, including the last three by an average margin of 67 points. On a positive note, the Giants have progressively trimmed those margins and have some handy talent coming into the side.

ONES TO WATCH

Tasmania’s forward line was absolutely humming last week, spearheaded by Jack Callinan’s seven-goal haul. He, and fellow National Academy member Colby McKercher are in fine form, with the latter leading this year’s Rookie Me Central Medal count.

Giants skipper Harvey Thomas has not been named to return after making his VFL debut last week, but inclusions from last game like Matthew Brown and Dayne Posthuma should begin to find their groove.

PREDICTION

Tasmania is a side which tends to improve the more it has time to jell. After four games together, the Devils should be far too strong for the Giants here. Devils by 35.

Saturday April 29, 11:30am @ Heritage Bank Stadium

IN A SENTENCE

The Suns Academy will be hunting its first Talent League win of 2023, while there is plenty of improvement for the Northern Territory to seek amid their final outing in the competition.

FORM

Gold Coast is one of the four northern academies without a win this season, having lost all three games thus far at an average margin of 49 points – which has increased each time. Last time out, the Suns went down by 71 to Northern without their three National Academy stars.

The pure numbers don’t read much better for the Northern Territory when it comes to form. Entering the fray in Round 4, the Thunder underwent a baptism of fire in their 173-point loss to Calder, before being beaten by Tasmania to the tune of 136 points.

ONES TO WATCH

Gold Coast will be buoyed by the returns of Jed Walter, Ethan Read, and Jake Rogers, still fresh of their National Academy duties. The trio looms as the main watch in this game from a draft perspective.

The NT produced some nice moments last week, mainly via the agency of Orlando Turner and Will Rowlands. Meanwhile, Stanley Waistcoat is back in the mix after making his WAFL Colts debut for South Fremantle.

PREDICTION

This is essentially either side’s best chance of picking up a Talent League win this season, so they should both come out hungrier than ever. The home ground comfort will inevitably suit the Suns, who have had to travel down to Victoria each week, though the NT will appreciate a shorter trip. Gold Coast by 40.

Saturday April 29, 1:30pm @ Austworld Centre Oval

IN A SENTENCE

The Swans Academy can set themselves apart with a second win for the season, while the Lions Academy will hope to get on the board when they clash in the final match of the triple-header.

FORM

Arguably the best performed academy, Sydney is 1-2 from its three games with one of those losses coming by just four points. Last time out, the Swans were outclassed by Oakleigh to the tune of 54 points, which seems somewhat of an outlier among their overall performances.

The Lions Academy is winless but has been largely competitive, even going down to Oakleigh by a slightly lesser margin than the Swans. Brisbane’s other two defeats have been settled by a three-goal margin, with short lapses costing the Queensland side.

ONES TO WATCH

Sydney is another academy team which welcomes back national representatives, namely midfielders Caiden Cleary and Lachlan Cabor. Watch for Indhi Kirk to impress too, after making his VFL debut alongside Cleary.

The Lions had over-ager Jack Manly turn out at VFL level last week, and he’s among a few consistent performers at Brisbane’s disposal. Midfielder Sam Marshall looms as a significant loss, though.

PREDICTION

The Swans Academy has tested a strong Victorian side and even picked up a win this season, but cannot take the Lions Academy lightly. Brisbane’s contested style and competitive spirit should make for a relatively close game – perhaps just not close enough for the Lions. Swans by 18.