ONLY two more weeks of Coates Talent League football remain in 2023, with the weekend’s Preliminary Finals set to determine who will face off in this year’s decider. In the first of two bouts on Sunday, minor premier Tasmania takes on Eastern Ranges at Queen Elizabeth Oval. We preview the big clash.

Sunday September 17, 11:30am @ Queen Elizabeth Oval

IN A SENTENCE

With a returning star in tow, Tasmania Devils will look to take another step in their already historic campaign, but face an peaking Eastern side ready to play spoiler.

WHERE THEY STAND

H&A records:
Tasmania – 1st (1st Country) | 10-3 | 150.6%
Eastern – 6th (4th Metro) | 8-5 | 117.6%

Streak:
Tasmania – W | L | WWWW | L | WW | L | WWWW
Eastern – L | WW | L | WW | LL | WWWW | L | WW

Wildcard:
Tasmania – Bye.
Eastern def. Calder Cannons by 79 points.

Quarter Final:
Tasmania def. Gippsland Power by 17 points.
Eastern def. Oakleigh Chargers by 7 points.

Previous meeting(s):
Round 4 | Tasmania won by 19 points.

SQUADS

Tasmania Devils:

B: #18 H. Elmer – #39 T. McCormack – #28 O. Vandam
HB: #17 J. Curtis – #37 A. Schoenmaker – #4 G. Payne
C: #12 H. Summers – #5 B. Nash – #1 L. Ling
HF: #21 L. Douglas – #8 J. Leake – #13 O. Depaoli-Kubank
F: #3 J. Callinan – #7 H. Ollington – #19 J. Dolliver
FOL: #11 M. Mapley – #27 C. McKercher – #10 T. Beaumont (c)

INT: #6 C. Ling, #20 M. Roney, #31 E. Blizzard, #42 T. Bennett, #15 M. Brereton

EMG: H. McLeod, L. Wootton, O. Dean

Eastern Ranges:

B: #18 B. LaPlanche (c) – #59 C. Trembath – #55 R. Maclean
HB: #34 B. Spencer – #15 L. Tovey (c) – #41 R. White
C: #1 C. Windsor – #12 J. Hider – #21 R. Cantwell
HF: #4 J. Ryan – #5 N. Watson – #39 I. Tanzimat
F: #20 J. Vippond – #13 R. Weatherill – #35 L. George
FOL: #49 L. Monteath – #23 T. Sruk, #9 C. Moraes

INT: #7 C. Anderson, #17 J. Baldwin, #42 L. Wright, #44 S. Macdonald, #6 J. Galstians

EMG: L. Guymer, N. Bourke, J. Mooney

ONES TO WATCH

The big news out of team selection is that Tasmanian on-baller Colby McKercher has been named to return from a foot injury sustained in Round 16. His inclusion somewhat settles the side and completes the Devils’ usual midfield trio alongside Beau Nash and skipper Tom Beaumont.

Small forward Jack Callinan may also roll through there, but will likely be keen to get at the feet of marking forwards Heath Ollington and James Leake. A strong top-age crop is also driven by Arie Schoenmaker and Geordie Payne, who provide plenty of rebound power from defence.

The Devils will also be pleased by the emergence of some bottom-agers. Ling twins Connor and Liam have shown promise on either side of midfield, while smooth mover Oliver Depaoli-Kubank had arguably his best game yet last week, and Lenny Douglas offers touches of flair.

Eastern boasts its own wealth of top-age guns. The Ranges’ forward line has begun to click, spearheaded by tall Riley Weatherill and supported by the likes of Liam George and Isaac Tanzimat. That’s not to mention Nick Watson and Ry Cantwell rotating in off the wings.

Speaking of, Caleb Windsor has shown he’s readymade for finals. While he wreaks havoc on the outside, solid operators like Tyson Sruk and Cody Anderson handle the grunt work to compliment classy bottom-ager Christian Moraes.

A relatively tall Ranges back line will also have its hands full, but Cooper Trembath has proven up to the task in recent weeks. He’ll be supported aerially by Joshua Tovey, while co-captain Brayden LaPlanche provides some powerful dash and dare on the rebound.

PREDICTION

While technically a home final, that factor has essentially been ripped away from Tasmania this finals series. The Devils were almost bounced off a bye last week, but showed their usual heart to fight back and keep the premiership dream alive. Eastern looks a well-drilled side and has a good enough spread of talent to get the job done. It’s hard to deny the minor premiers though, they just know how to get it done. Devils by 13.