REPRESENTATIVE talent continues to filter back through the Coates Talent League, as the competition’s home-and-away season accelerates towards its conclusion. We preview all five fixtures set to make up Round 15 this weekend.

Saturday August 5, 10:30am @ Warrawee Park

IN A SENTENCE

The Eastern Ranges will be hunting for a third-straight win when they face a bolstered Oakleigh side fresh off the bye.

WHERE THEY STAND

Records:
Oakleigh – 12th | 3-7 | 84.7%
Eastern – 6th | 6-4 | 114.0%

Streak (most recent first):
Oakleigh – LWLLL
Eastern – WWLLW

ONES TO WATCH

The Chargers have named one of their best lineups for the season, welcoming back a Vic Metro representatives in Will Lorenz, Will Elliott, Kynan Brown, Jagga Smith, Tom Gross, and Nathan Philactides. Over-ager Luke Teal also returns, and Under 16 talent Sam Allen remains as 23rd man.

The Ranges will be without a few of their stars but the core of last week’s victorious squad is in tact. Tall forwards Riley Weatherill and Brayden LaPlanche can look forward to service from inclusion Josh Smillie, along with in-form midfielder Christian Moraes and wingman Caleb Windsor.

PREDICTION

Oakleigh stands a great chance on paper and will arguably field the better top-end talent. How that group jells is a different question, and Eastern will have the mental edge of having performed well together last week off the break. Ranges by 10.

Saturday August 5, 12:30pm @ Preston City Oval

IN A SENTENCE

Ascendancy in the top three race is up for grabs as the third-placed Northern Knights take on the rising GWV Rebels in Preston.

WHERE THEY STAND

Records:
Northern – 3rd | 8-2 | 129-7%
GWV – 5th | 7-3 | 125.8%

Streak (most recent first):
Northern – LWWWW
GWV – WWWLW

ONES TO WATCH

The usual core of GWV prospects has served the Rebels well, led by George Stevens. He’ll likely again team up with Lachlan Charleson and usual defender Luamon Lual in midfield. Also, watch for the tall-small bottom-aged combination of Jonty Faull and Rhys Unwin up forward.

Northern’s tall timbre gets even better, with forgotten man Dane Harvey set to play his first game as an over-ager. He has been named up forward, perhaps allowing Nate Caddy more midfield exposure. Keep an eye out for ruck William Green on-baller Zak Johnson at the centre bounces.

PREDICTION

Both sides are well poised to secure a top three spot ahead of Wildcard Round, and have won four of their last five games. GWV looks to be peaking at the right time though, and should continue its winning streak if Northern’s talls are kept in check. Rebels by 17.

Saturday August 5, 2:30pm @ Shepley Oval

IN A SENTENCE

The Gippsland Power will be hoping to break through for their first set of consecutive wins this season when they meet a streaking Bendigo off the bye.

WHERE THEY STAND

Records:
Gippsland – 10th | 5-5 | 95.9%
Bendigo – 8th | 5-5 | 107.1%

Streak (most recent first):
Gippsland – WLWLW
Bendigo – WWLLL

ONES TO WATCH

Gippsland’s spine has settled nicely, with talls Wil Dawson (defence), Lachlan Smith (ruck), and Archer Reid (forward) all finding top form. Zane Duursma also seemed to enjoy his role up forward last week, while Under 16 talents Willem Duursma and Jobe Scapin are ones for the future.

Bendigo will be without Harley Reid and Archer Day-Wicks, so will rely on fellow Vic Country representatives Oskar Smartt and Oliver Poole to step up in the engine room. The Pioneers also lay claim to some handy bottom-agers in Jobe Shanahan, Tobie Travaglia, and Lachlan Hogan.

PREDICTION

Bendigo recently found winning form but faces a tough test here against a Gippsland side which will be buoyed by last week’s results. Given how the two sides shape up on paper, it’s difficult not to predict another Power surge. Gippsland by 21.

Sunday August 6, 11:00am @ DSV Stadium

IN A SENTENCE

Both the Western Jets and Geelong Falcons will be playing for swift returns to the winners list when they lock horns in windy Williamstown.

WHERE THEY STAND

Records:
Western – 11th | 4-7 | 91.0%
Geelong – 7th | 6-4 | 111.8%

Streak (most recent first):
Western – LLLWW
Geelong – LWLLW

ONES TO WATCH

Geelong’s key defensive pair of Hamish Pierson and Tom Peirce will likely have their hands full with Western goal kicker Logan Morris, while Falcons leader Michael Rudd looms as a tough matchup at the other end of the ground.

The Jets have made a couple of handy inclusions to their midfield group, with Jake Smith available after making his VFL debut, and Darcy Weeks returning for his first game since Round 8. The pair will likely join in-form bottom-agers Lucca Grego and Massimo Raso at the centre bounces.

PREDICTION

Williamstown’s unique conditions will play a part in this clash, and having endured them just last week Western will have an upper hand in that department. It’s a relatively even game on paper though, and Geelong should bounce back strongly after a disappointing effort last week. Falcons by 9.

Sunday August 6, 11:00am @ Wangaratta Showgrounds

IN A SENTENCE

A top three opportunity beckons for the Calder Cannons as they travel to take on the bottom-placed Murray Bushrangers in Wangaratta.

WHERE THEY STAND

Records:
Murray – 13th | 2-9 | 73.6%
Calder – 4th | 7-3 | 163.7%

Streak (most recent first):
Murray – LLLLL
Calder – WLLWW

ONES TO WATCH

Calder looks like having a trio of terrific additions, with Mahmoud Taha and Rye Penny returning off VFL berths alongside Hugo Garcia. There’s a huge watch in the bottom-age department too with the likes of Isaac Kako, Jayden Nguyen, Damon Hollow, and Kayne Rutley running around.

Murray brought in some handy reinforcements last week, including Giants Academy talent like Charlie McCormack. The core of the Bushies’ side remains, with Connor O’Sullivan able to play at either end and Darcy Wilson dominating in midfield among a good bunch of draftables.

PREDICTION

While Murray’s side looks quite strong, the performances from either side last week were widely contrasting. Calder looks a settled unit and should pick up another win here. Cannons by 23.