THE FINAL Coates Talent League home-and-away round gets underway on Friday night, as four sides jostle for the minor premiership. We preview all six games with a look at where each team stands, players to watch, and how it may all unfold before Wildcard Round.

Friday August 25, 7:30pm @ Mars Stadium

IN A SENTENCE

Western Jets will look to play spoiler with a top three spot, and potentially the minor premiership, in the GWV Rebels’ sights under Friday night lights at Mars Stadium.

WHERE THEY STAND

Records:
GWV – 2nd | 9-3 | 133.7%
Western – 12th | 4-8 | 86.4%

Streak (most recent first):
GWV – WWWWW
Western – LLLLW

ONES TO WATCH

Recent state combine invitee Oscar Gawith returns to the Rebels’ defence, while Luamon Lual looks to shift back there as powerful ball winners George Stevens and Sam Lalor team up in the midfield. Up forward, it could well be the Lachlan Charleson and Jonty Faull show once again.

Western has much less representative and combine-listed talent to highlight, but tall forward Logan Morris remains the main attraction. Bottom-aged midfielder/defender Lucca Grego provided some grunt and top-ager Jake Smith has some doubters to prove wrong in midfield.

PREDICTION

The form line says everything about this contest and with GWV back at Mars Stadium, it is hard to see the second-placed side having a five-game winning run broken here. Rebels by 40.

Saturday August 26, 11:00am @ Trevor Barker Beach Oval

IN A SENTENCE

A win would see Tasmania secure the minor premiership as the Devils travel to face Dandenong for the first game of Saturday’s double-header in Sandringham.

WHERE THEY STAND

Records:
Dandenong – 8th | 6-6 | 105.9%
Tasmania – 1st | 9-3 | 150.8%

Streak (most recent first):
Dandenong – WLLLL
Tasmania – WWLWW

ONES TO WATCH

With star man Colby McKercher set to miss through injury, it’s a case of finding the next man up for Tasmania. Jack Callinan has been named to start in midfield and is an apt replacement given his speed, while mainstays Tom Beaumont and Beau Nash will look to continue their strong form.

High-marking forwards James Leake and Jack Dolliver combined for nine goals last week, so Dandenong bottom-ager Noah Mraz may have a job to do on the former. The likes of Billy Wilson and Harry De Mattia are also primed showcase more of their versatility.

De Mattia’s co-captain Cooper Simpson is another to jot down as he looks to recapture his best form. A couple of fresh faces also enter the fray as Vic Country Under 16 representative Tairon Ah-Mu slots into the Stingrays’ side, and Jake Nash makes his Devils debut.

PREDICTION

Dandenong’s team looks formidable on paper but has arguably not played to the sum of its parts in 2023, having made last year’s grand final with some of the same stock. Travel, and the absence of McKercher will hurt Tasmania, to what extend remains to be seen. Devils by 7.

Saturday August 26, 1:30pm @ Trevor Barker Beach Oval

IN A SENTENCE

The Sandringham Dragons and Oakleigh Chargers resume their rivalry at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, with the former a chance of finishing the season in top spot.

WHERE THEY STAND

Records:
Sandringham – 4th | 9-3 | 120.8%
Oakleigh – 11th | 4-8 | 87.3%

Streak (most recent first):
Sandringham – LWWWW
Oakleigh – WLLWL

ONES TO WATCH

Sandringham will have the freedom of shuffling a few magnets after last week’s loss. Vic Metro MVP Ollie Murphy is a welcome addition in defence, while Luke Trainor‘s inclusion may see Archie Roberts shifted up to a wing, with recent VFL debutant Tarkyn O’Leary on the opposite side.

Bottom-ager Murphy Reid also promises to add even more polish to the midfield rotation. Ryley Sanders and Levi Ashcroft loom as the mainstays, while rising prospect Charlie Edwards may also enjoy an extended run on the inside.

For Oakleigh, it’s all about the prime movers. While Tom Gross is set to miss, fellow bottom-agers Jagga Smith and Finn O’Sullivan are already arguably the Chargers’ best players. They’ll rotate through the middle alongside Kynan Brown and wingman Will Lorenz.

Elsewhere, Giants Academy product Harvey Thomas has again been named to play up forward, while slingshot defenders Nathan Philactides and Patrick Retschko look set to team up across half-back for another week.

PREDICTION

It’s a scary looking Sandringham side this week and having returned a disappointing effort last time out, there should be plenty of players keen to put that performance in the rear-view mirror. Oakleigh also looks strong and may be a Wildcard Round contender, but faces a tough ask here. Dragons by 24.

Saturday August 26, 2:05pm @ Highgate Recreation Reserve

IN A SENTENCE

The Calder Cannons will be out to spoil Northern’s top three plans when the two Metro regions lock horns in Saturday’s standalone clash at Craigieburn.

WHERE THEY STAND

Records:
Calder – 6th | 7-5 | 139.4%
Northern – 3rd | 9-3 | 123.6%

Streak (most recent first):
Calder – LLWLL
Northern – WLLWW

ONES TO WATCH

A shootout between high-marking forwards Jordan Croft and Nate Caddy looms as the main event here. Northern ruck Will Green is also coming into his own, while state combine invitees Kristian Ferronato (Northern), Hugo Garcia, and Mahmoud Taha (both Calder) will be out to impress.

As far as future talent goes, the Knights look set to regain Liam Farrar and further bolster their forward line, while Calder gets Jayden Nguyen back. Metro Under 18 squad members Zak Johnson and Nash King are also sure to catch the eye for either side.

PREDICTION

Northern got the job done last week on the road at a typically windy venue, so will have to bring similar heat this week to topple a Calder side which travelled poorly in Round 16. There is simply too much at stake for the visitors. Knights by 18.

Sunday August 27, 1:00pm @ Mars Stadium

IN A SENTENCE

Both Geelong and Bendigo will be playing for a spot back on the winners list when they lock horns at the neutral Mars Stadium.

WHERE THEY STAND

Records:
Geelong – 7th | 7-5 | 110.4%
Bendigo – 10th | 5-7 | 93.0%

Streak (most recent first):
Geelong – LWLWL
Bendigo – LLWWL

ONES TO WATCH

Geelong defender Angus Hastie is the only national draft combine invitee set to take the field in this clash, and he should be freed up further by the inclusion of Hamish Pierson. The latter’s co-captain, Michael Rudd is one of the six state combine list members named to play.

After snaring three goals last week, it seems Bendigo’s Oliver Poole is set for a stint across half-back alongside Tobie Travaglia, while fellow bottom-ager Xavier Ivisic is a handy inclusion for Geelong. Of course, top prospect Harley Reid is set to miss after hurting his knee last week.

PREDICTION

This is a tough one to call, though Bendigo’s drop-off after Reid went down last week may tell the story of how this game goes. There are others who will step up, but Geelong should have enough answers here. Falcons by 11.

Sunday August 27, 1:30pm @ Morwell Football Ground

IN A SENTENCE

Gippsland Power hosts another Metro side on Sunday, looking to finish their season with a positive record heading into a potentially fruitful Wildcard Round.

WHERE THEY STAND

Records:
Gippsland – 9th | 6-6 | 102.5%
Eastern – 5th | 8-4 | 119.7%

Streak (most recent first):
Gippsland – LWWLW
Eastern – WWWWL

ONES TO WATCH

It is hard to look past Zane Duursma as the player to watch from either side. The Gippsland forward has found his groove and comes into this clash full of confidence having booted 10 goals in the last fortnight.

Eastern’s best line is through the middle, with top prospects Nick Watson and Caleb Windsor named on opposite wings. Down back, co-captain and state combine invitee Brayden LaPlanche continues his defensive venture.

PREDICTION

This is another tough call and while Gippsland boasts some terrific emerging talent among multiple age groups, Eastern is quite solid and settled across the board. That strength of depth should hold the visitors in good stead. Ranges by 5.