THE 2023 Coates Talent League postseason has arrived, starting with this weekend’s Wildcard Round. Minor premier Tasmania has earned the week off, but the 12 remaining regions will battle it out for a spot in next week’s quarter finals. We preview all six games.

>> Explainer: 2023 Wildcard Round format

Saturday September 2, 11:30am @ Mars Stadium

IN A SENTENCE

In arguably the most closely matched Wildcard matchup, Calder and Eastern lock horns in neutral territory for a quarter finals berth.

WHERE THEY STAND

Records:
Calder – 5th (3rd Metro) | 8-5 | 142.4%
Eastern – 6th (4th Metro) | 8-5 | 117.6%

Streak (most recent first):
Calder – WLLWL
Eastern – LWWWW

ONES TO WATCH

A pair of bottom-agers are set to make timely returns for Calder, with key defender Harry O’Farrell and midfielder-forward Damon Hollow both named. The latter adds to an on-ball mix of Mahmoud Taha, Hugo Garcia, and Nash King, while forward Jordan Croft will hope for a quick return to form.

Eastern defender Cooper Trembath may get the job on Croft after doing a good job on Archer Reid last week. The Ranges’ forward-wing rotation looks most dangerous though, consisting of Nick Watson, Caleb Windsor, and rising prospect Ry Cantwell.

PREDICTION

An emphatic return to the winners list last week comes just at the right time for Calder, who also beat Eastern by 37 points in their only other meeting this season. Cannons by 15.

Saturday September 2, 2:00pm @ Mars Stadium

IN A SENTENCE

Top-ranked Metro side, Sandringham Dragons will be out to snap a two-game losing run on the eve of finals when they face Western, whose last win came in Round 11.

WHERE THEY STAND

Records:
Sandringham – 3rd (1st Metro) | 9-4 | 117.3%
Western – 12th (6th Metro) | 4-9 | 82.1%

Streak (most recent first):
Sandringham – LLWWW
Western – LLLLL

ONES TO WATCH

Sandringham defender Ollie Murphy may take on another tough matchup in Western spearhead Logan Morris this week. At the latter’s feet will likely be Jets debutant Thomas McGuane, a clever small who is father-son eligible for Collingwood in 2025.

For the Dragons, it’ll be about getting the balance of their star players right. Levi Ashcroft and Ryley Sanders have dominated through midfield, while the emergence of Charlie Edwards is a handy bonus. On the outside, it seems Archie Roberts will revert back to his usual role in defence.

A very tall forward line is occupied by the likes of Calsher Dear, Archer May, Will Brown, and Luke Lloyd, who all measure up at over 193cm. If the stacked midfield can get on top and provide good enough entries, they may have a big say in this result.

PREDICTION

These two sides met just over a month ago, with Sandringham taking home a 36-point victory. With a stack of handy inclusions, that margin stands a good chance of being exceeded, but perhaps not given recent form. Dragons by 25.

Sunday September 3, 11:30am @ La Trobe University

IN A SENTENCE

Country regions Gippsland and Dandenong do battle at a Metro venue, with the latter looking to maintain its positive record and knock last year’s grand finalists out of the postseason race.

WHERE THEY STAND

Records:
Gippsland – 8th (4th Country) | 7-6 | 103.0%
Dandenong – 9th (5th Country) | 6-7 | 102.9%

Streak (most recent first):
Gippsland – WLWWL
Dandenong – LWLLL

ONES TO WATCH

Recently crowned RMC Medal winner Zane Duursma is the main event in this game having booted 14 goals in his last three outings. The potential matchup between Archer Reid and Noah Mraz looks exciting, while Gippsland defenders Tew Jiath and Willem Duursma are in strong form.

Dandenong has a number of draft combine invitees who will be out to impress. Among them, Cooper Simpson is hitting his stride, co-captain Harry DeMattia can impact anywhere on the ground, and Billy Wilson has enjoyed a recent move to midfield.

PREDICTION

This looms as another very evenly-matched contest, especially considering the ledger is square at one win apiece between the two sides this season. Gippsland won the more recent clash and has been in arguably better form of late. Power by 7.

Sunday September 3, 12:00pm @ Mars Stadium

IN A SENTENCE

Fresh off a bye, Murray will be out to upset the top-ranked Wildcard side in GWV Rebels, who have won their last six games.

WHERE THEY STAND

Records:
GWV – 2nd (2nd Country) | 10-3 | 139.7%
Murray – 13th (7th Country) | 3-10 | 72.1%

Streak (most recent first):
GWV – WWWWW
Murray – LWLLL

ONES TO WATCH

The Rebels are stacked across each line and age group, starting on the inside with George Stevens and Sam Lalor. Up forward, bottom-aged tall Jonty Faull is in good touch, while the inclusion of Rhys Unwin may free up fellow small Lachlan Charleson to get dangerous inside 50.

On paper, Murray poses more of a threat than its record suggests. Darcy Wilson‘s current form is exceptional, and Connor O’Sullivan has similar star quality. The latter’s fellow Allies Phoenix Gothard and Charlie McCormack are others to watch among a talented top-age crop.

PREDICTION

As much as last year’s Wildcard Round proved that anything can happen, having to knock off a streaking GWV at Mars Stadium as the bottom-ranked team is the Talent League’s version of Everest this year. Rebels by 50.

Sunday September 3, 2:00pm @ La Trobe University

IN A SENTENCE

Having been on the wrong end of a Wildcard Round upset last year, Oakleigh will hope to produce one of its own against Northern.

WHERE THEY STAND

Records:
Northern – 4th (2nd Metro) | 9-4 | 115.9%
Oakleigh – 11th (5th Metro) | 5-8 | 89.5%

Streak (most recent first):
Northern – LWLLW
Oakleigh – WWLLW

ONES TO WATCH

Oakleigh regains Tom Gross this week, who only adds to the quality of Finn O’Sullivan and Jagga Smith in the Chargers’ bottom-age ranks. Harvey Thomas was a star turn up forward last week, while top-agers Kynan Brown and Will Lorenz have quality to show on either side of midfield.

Northern will be without Nate Caddy, but arguably the Knights’ next best prospect in Will Green has been in serious form through the ruck. Elsewhere, keep an eye on bottom-agers Zak Johnson and Lucas McInerney, and state combine invitee Kristian Ferronato in midfield.

PREDICTION

Oakleigh’s last two results point towards a major shift in the team’s cohesion. With star players returning all at once and Northern backing up a loss without its best player, current standings are thrown out the window. Chargers by 10.

Sunday September 3, 2:30pm @ Mars Stadium

IN A SENTENCE

Geelong and Bendigo play off for the second week running, with the Pioneers looking to turn around a 17-point loss to the Falcons last time out.

WHERE THEY STAND

Records:
Geelong – 7th (3rd Country) | 8-5 | 111.7%
Bendigo – 10th (5th Country) | 5-8 | 91.9%

Streak (most recent first):
Geelong – WLWLW
Bendigo – LLLWW

ONES TO WATCH

Bendigo boasts arguably the three best inclusions competition-wide this week, calling upon captain Harley Reid alongside gun bottom-agers Archer Day-Wicks and Jobe Shanahan. The latter pair adds to a strong future group which also includes Tobie Travaglia, Tom Evans, and Lachlan Hogan.

Geelong’s lone national combine invitee Angus Hastie has been freed up of late by the form of bottom-ager Kobe George, while similar can be said in attack for co-captain Michael Rudd. Also, expect Tom Anastasopoulos to provide plenty of scoring drive.

PREDICTION

There is always a Wildcard Round boilover and given the changes Bendigo has made after last week’s loss to Geelong, this clash may be the one. Pioneers by 17.