ROUND 12 of the 2023 Coates Talent League season kicks off tomorrow morning in the midst of representative football, with a bunch of prospects on the precipice playing with a point to prove. We preview all six of the weekend’s fixtures.

Saturday July 1, 9:20am @ North Hobart Oval

IN A SENTENCE

The Northern Knights will have to knock off the Tasmania Devils in enemy territory if they are any chance of pinching top spot in Round 11.

FORM

Tasmania sits clear atop the Talent League standings, albeit with a game in hand on the rest of the competition, but that status will be put on the line in this clash. Northern is ranked third and could jump to first with a win if other results go the Knights’ way.

The Devils have won a couple of close ones over the last fortnight, while Northern is streaking with four consecutive victories – including a 64-point thumping of Bendigo last time out. As always though, squads are changing week to week.

ONES TO WATCH

Tasmania will be without its Allies contingent, with Heath Ollington and Arie Schoenmaker earning call-ups to join Colby McKercher, Jack Callinan, and James Leake at representative level. Tom Beaumont remains, and will lead the home side through midfield along with the likes of Beau Nash and Geordie Payne.

Northern will be without star man Nate Caddy and skipper Will Green, who will both play against the Allies. Bottom-ager Jesse Dattoli is a handy inclusion though, and Zak Johnson should fare well in midfield. Richmond fans will have an eye on father-son candidate Charlie Naish, while over-age ruck Flynn Riley takes on added responsibility in the absence of Green.

PREDICTION

It is always hard to look past Tasmania on home turf and they know how to get the job done in tight games. Northern has been on a great run though, and the chance to snatch top spot in dramatic circumstances looms large. Knights by 7.

Saturday July 1, 11:30am @ Trevor Barker Beach Oval

IN A SENTENCE

Sandringham and Calder will lock horns in a battle to decide who keeps touch with top spot, in the regions’ second meeting for season 2023.

FORM

These two sides are among the three teams sitting one game off Tasmania in the top four, though Calder has a game in hand and superior percentage to the Dragons in second spot. The Cannons have won five straight games, with their last loss coming at the hands of Sandringham in Round 2.

ONES TO WATCH

Though there is some notable star power missing, Sandringham still has a few Metro squad members to call upon. Ruck Vigo Visentini is one, while crafty bottom-agers Murphy Reid and Taj Hotton should make an impact in this clash.

It’s all about the next generation at Calder too, with midfielders Nash King and Damon Hollow in solid form. Watch for small forward Isaac Kako and wingman Jayden Nguyen to also make a splash among a deep Cannons lineup.

PREDICTION

The Sandringham squad is notoriously good at keeping pace with the competition while representative season is underway – particularly of late – but Calder has some depth in its own right. Things will be slightly different to when these sides last met. Still, Dragons by 10.

Saturday July 1, 12:30pm @ Rumbalara Recreation Reserve

IN A SENTENCE

Dungala and the Bendigo Pioneers will be looking to bounce back onto the winners list when they meet at Rumbalara Recreation Reserve.

FORM

After becoming the first team to defeat Sandringham in 2023, Dungala has since lost three straight games – albeit by four goals or less. They are the lowest-ranked Country region, while Bendigo sits 10th overall at 3-5. The Pioneers have lost their last four matches after going on a promising three-game winning streak.

ONES TO WATCH

Both teams will be without serious top end talent this week. Nonetheless, Vic Country squad members Oliver Poole and Oskar Smartt will turn out for Bendigo, while Charlie Hillier plays his first game for the season. For Dungala, the Whitlocks – Matt and Jack – are promising tall talents at either end of the ground, along with midfielder Oliver Warburton.

PREDICTION

Things will be tough for Dungala with such important pieces of its side unavailable this week. The same can be said for Bendigo, though a greater depth of talent should give the travelling side a lift. Pioneers by 20.

Note: Murray Bushrangers will be known as Dungala for its Round 12 matches, in celebration of the commencement of NAIDOC Week (July 2-9).

Saturday July 1, 1:30pm @ Shepley Oval

IN A SENTENCE

Dandenong will be out to keep touch with the top four, but the going might be tough against a game Gippsland Power outfit.

FORM

This is another matchup where both sides are coming off losses, as the tumultuous mid-season period brings about inconsistent results. Dandenong was put to the sword by GWV in typically dour Ballarat conditions last week, while Gippsland experienced a similar fate at the hands of Sandringham. In the Round 3 reverse fixture, the Stingrays beat the Power by 27 points.

ONES TO WATCH

Dandenong has been gutted by the unavailability of its Vic Country representatives, though defender Riak Andrew remains. Watch for bottom-age midfielder-forward Harvey Langford and Cooper Hynes to impress.

Gippsland has a couple of handy bottom-agers in Xavier Lindsay and Asher Eastham, while Tom Hanily and Sebastian Amoroso are a couple of diminutive ball winners who should fare well with some star names out.

PREDICTION

It’s difficult to judge how either side will go given just how different they look, but exposed form would suggest Dandenong’s depth should hold it in good stead here. Stingrays by 17.

Sunday July 2, 1:05pm @ Avalon Airport Oval

IN A SENTENCE

Oakleigh Chargers will look to beat a full-time Talent League region for the first time this season, and jump off bottom spot when they face Western Jets on the road.

FORM

Oakleigh comes in off a bye an will theoretically be the fresher of the two sides, though Western will be ready to go having beaten Murray in a terrific second half performance last week. The Chargers are the lowest ranked side so far at 2-6 and with four-straight losses, while Western is 4-4 and has won three in a row.

ONES TO WATCH

All eyes will be on one star prospect in this clash, bottom-age Charger Jagga Smith. The smooth moving midfielder tore South Australia to shreds in Vic Metro’s first Under 18 carnival game, but has been rotated back into the Talent League. Western bottom-agers Lucca Grego and Massimo Raso are also in solid form, already taking up key roles in the Jets’ side.

PREDICTION

There’s something in teams struggling after the bye at AFL level, and that may well trickle down to the talent pathway. Despite a couple of handy inclusions, Oakleigh will again be up against it this weekend with Western getting the job done lately. Jets by 10.

Sunday July 2, 1:05pm @ Shepley Oval

IN A SENTENCE

The Eastern Ranges and Geelong Falcons are another two teams playing for a return to the winners list, and to keep touch with the competition’s top bracket.

FORM

Having looked every bit a top four side before the break, Eastern currently sits ninth at 4-4 having lost its last two games. Geelong is still well and truly in the top four race despite dropping points to ladder leader Tasmania last week, boasting a 5-2 record in fifth place.

ONES TO WATCH

Eastern will be buoyed by the return of Cody Anderson in midfield, who should form a formidable on-ball group alongside fellow bottom-agers Josh Smillie and Christian Moraes. Meanwhile, the Falcons have Vic Country key defenders Hamish Pierson and Tom Peirce at their disposal, along with small forward Thomas Anastasopoulos.

PREDICTION

Both sides couldn’t quite get the job done after half time last week and will be very keen to rectify that on Sunday. Geelong is well drilled but it looks like Eastern has some weapons that should get the job done. Ranges by 5.