Explainer: Coates Talent League Wildcard Round
THE 2023 Coates Talent League Wildcard Round is just around the corner, but takes on a slightly different look this year. After the top three sides earned automatic passage to finals in 2022, only minor premier Tasmania is guaranteed a spot in the quarter-finals in a revamped finals structure.
Instead, the remaining 12 teams have been split into conferences – Country and Metro – with Tasmania slotting into the Country group. Teams from either conference will not cross over until the preliminary finals, where the highest ranked team from Country takes on the lowest from Metro, and vice-versa.
As mapped out in the fixture below, either conference’s first placed side will play sixth in Wildcard Round, while second faces fifth, and third takes on fourth. The highest-ranked Metro loser will also advance to the quarter finals alongside the six victors.
From there, the best two teams from each conference will be decided and test themselves against fresh opposition in the prelims. The Grand Final has also already been locked in for Sunday September 24 at IKON Park – the same venue as last year’s decider.
WILDCARD ROUND FIXTURE
Saturday, September 2
Calder Cannons (Metro #3) vs. Eastern Ranges (Metro #4)
Mars Stadium, Ballarat, 11:30am
Sandringham Dragons (Metro #1) vs. Western Jets (Metro #6)
Mars Stadium, Ballarat, 2:00pm AEST
Sunday, September 3
Gippsland Power (Country #4) vs. Dandenong Stingrays (Country #5)
La Trobe University Sports Park, Bundoora, 11:30am AEST
GWV Rebels (Country #2) vs. Murray Bushrangers (Country #7)
Mars Stadium, Ballarat, 12:00pm AEST
Northern Knights (Metro #2) vs. Oakleigh Chargers (Metro #5)
La Trobe University Sports Park, Bundoora, 2:00pm AEST
Geelong Falcons (Country #3) vs. Bendigo Pioneers (Country #6)
Mars Stadium, Ballarat, 2:30pm AEST
2023 FINALS PATH
Quarter Finals (September 9-10)
1st-ranked Metro WR winner vs. 1st-ranked Metro WR loser
2nd-ranked Metro WR winner vs. 3rd-ranked Metro WR winner
Tasmania Devils vs. 3rd-ranked Country WR winner
1st-ranked Country WR winner vs. 2nd-ranked Country WR winner
Preliminary Finals (September 16/17)
Top-ranked Metro QF winner vs. Lowest-ranked Country QF winner
Top-ranked Country QF winner vs. Lowest-ranked Metro QF winner
Grand Final (Sunday September 24)
PF 1 winner vs. PF 2 winner
2025 Victorian summer hub squads released
VICTORIA’s most talented boys and girls from across the state will converge on the first of two camps in the next week, with Vic Country and Vic Metro’s summer hub squads released today. The hubs serve as the first preparations for the 2025 AFL and AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships with players primarily top-agers (2007-born) […]
2024 Coates Talent League Season Review: Sandringham Dragons
SANDRINGHAM Dragons clinched their third consecutive Coates Talent League premiership in 2024. Ominous signs in the first block of the campaign were converted to a competition-high sixth flag as the side stormed home in a rampant postseason. We recap the Dragons’ fruitful year. >> 2024 Coates Talent League: Stats | RMC Medal | Team of […]
2024 Coates Talent League Season Review: GWV Rebels
GREATER Western Victoria (GWV) produced a remarkable postseason run to reach its first Coates Talent League Grand Final in 27 years. While the Rebels fell short against fearsome opposition in the big dance, their journey from finishing 11th was something to behold. We recap their campaign. >> 2024 Coates Talent League: Stats | RMC Medal […]
Scouting Notes: 2024 Coates Talent League Grand Final
SANDRINGHAM Dragons were spearheaded towards a third consecutive Coates Talent League premiership by their A-list cast of draft prospects on Saturday. A host of representative stars and combine invitees took the field for the Dragons and GWV Rebels, as featured in our Scouting Notes. >> Match Report: Club-tied stars dominate as Dragons go three-straight
Club-tied stars dominate as Dragons secure three-peat
A PAIR of prospects tied to the Brisbane Lions starred as Sandringham Dragons secured their third consecutive Coates Talent League premiership on Saturday. The powerhouse Metro region defeated Greater Western Victoria (GWV) by 37 points in an imperious performance at IKON Park. Signs were ominous as the Dragons stormed out of the blocks with six […]
PREVIEW | 2024 Coates Talent League Grand Final
A SLICE of history is on offer for both the Sandringham Dragons and Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels in this year’s Coates Talent League Grand Final. The Rebels haven’t been to the big dance since 1997, while the Dragons are chasing a third-straight flag. We preview Saturday’s clash.
Team balance the key to Dragons’ three-peat push
SANDRINGHAM Dragons are looking to make history on Saturday. The powerhouse talent region is gunning for a third consecutive flag, and to move level with Calder Cannons on a competition-high six premierships. What’s more, co-captain Levi Ashcroft has been a part of all three title tilts. While the Dragons’ squad is stacked with talent – […]
Historic decider marks reward for Rebels’ effort
SATURDAY will mark the first Coates Talent League Grand Final which features Greater Western Victoria (GWV) since 1997. Back then, the competition was called the TAC Cup, the Rebels were under the North Ballarat banner, and Adam Goodes was best afield in the region’s only premiership to date. Now, under supercoach David Loader, GWV will […]
WINNERS | 2024 Coates Talent League awards night
GIPPSLAND Power has swept the top gongs at this year’s Coates Talent League awards night, taking out best and fairest honours in both the boys and girls competitions. Xavier Lindsay was crowned the Morrish Medal winner, while Ash Centra was named the girls best and fairest player. >> SCROLL to see the full leaderboards Lindsay […]
