ONE fixture is already in the books, but an exciting quartet of games is likely to make for a very Good Friday, before rivals Sandringham Dragons and Oakleigh Chargers take centre stage on Saturday. We preview the remainder of Round 2 in the Coates Talent League.

Friday March 29, 11:00am @ Belvedere Reserve

IN A NUTSHELL

Gippsland Power play in their opening game of the season, hosted by Dandenong in the first game of a Good Friday double-header in Seaford. The Stingrays are coming off a heartbreaking Round 1 loss to Geelong with the last kick of the game.

ONES TO WATCH

Gippsland lays claim to a bunch of developable prospects for the next two years, but the main event will be National Academy stars Xavier Lindsay and Ricky Mentha. One is a polished left-footed midfielder, while the other is a small forward with match-winning capabilities.

Bottom-ager Willem Duursma has plenty to like as a versatile, athletic and skilful utility, while fellow Vic Country hub member Jobe Scapin is another to watch. Over-ager Malual Aleer, the cousin of GWS’ Leek, also has raw potential as a newcomer to the program.

For Dandenong, co-captains Harvey Langford and Cooper Hynes will look to do the bulk of grunt work in midfield, while also proving dangerous inside 50. After missing Round 1 under concussion protocols, gun key defender Noah Mraz is also ready to make an impact.

PREDICTION

Having a competitive game under your belt is, in theory, a decent advantage here for Dandenong. On the flipside, Gippsland had an extra week to freshen up and jell as a unit, but will likely have a few cobwebs to blow out in their opening game. Stingrays by 7.

Friday March 29, 11:00am @ Highgate Recreation Reserve

IN A NUTSHELL

Calder and Western will be out to secure their first wins of the season in an all-Metro clash in Craigieburn. The Cannons made a hot start against the reigning premiers last time out, while Western was up for the fight but fell away in a shootout loss to Northern.

ONES TO WATCH

Calder was impressed by the progression of big man Riley Leedham over preseason and he’s a handy inclusion this week. Essendon NGA smalls Isaac Kako and Jayden Nguyen are lively assets at either end of the ground who will make things happen.

At the heart of the side is skipper Damon Hollow, whose intensity, speed and long kicking make him a damaging prospect. Look for classy and mobile key defender Harry O’Farrell to impress too, with the potential to swing forward if need be.

Western’s main man in tough inside midfielder Lucca Grego, but class in emerging in the form of 2025 Collingwood father-son chance Thomas McGuane and fellow bottom-ager Thomas Burton. Keep an eye out for over-age defender Lachlan McArthur, too.

PREDICTION

The Jets will compete, it’s just a matter of how long they can stay in the contest and if they can get on top. Calder arguably has a greater depth of class and should win more matchups around the ground, especially on home turf. Cannons by 24.

Friday March 29, 1:00pm @ Deakin Reserve

IN A NUTSHELL

A pair of Round 1 victors lock horns in an all-Country clash at Deakin Reserve, with Murray and Bendigo looking to maintain their perfect starts to the season. The Bushies fired in an impressive win over Tasmania last week, while Bendigo knocked off Greater Western Victoria on the road.

ONES TO WATCH

Murray’s three-pronged goalkicking threat of tall Jack Whitlock, crafty Joe Berry, and powerful Joshua Murphy looms as a dangerous factor once again. Each member of the trio booted four goals in Round 1 and will certainly be hungry for more.

The Bushies are also tough around the ball. Jack Glanvill and Oliver Warburton offer serious grunt and work rate, while bottom-agers Ryder Corrigan and Riley Onley add touches of class on top of their size. Watch for mobile key back Matt Whitlock to impress, too.

Bendigo will be without star forward Archer Day-Wicks (corkie), but fellow AFL Academy member Jobe Shanahan remains in attack alongside James Barrat. Tobie Travaglia was the main man last week, while busy smalls like Lachlan Hogan and Tom Evans are sure to have a say.

PREDICTION

Of all the Round 1 victors, Murray was clearly among the most impressive and will be in good stead to continue its form. Bendigo got the job done and should surprise a few more sides this year, but may fall short against the hosts’ depth of talent. Bushrangers by 15.

Friday March 29, 1:30pm @ Belvedere Reserve

IN A NUTSHELL

Another pair of Round 1 victors do battle on Friday as Eastern plays host to Northern on neutral ground. The Ranges won out in last week’s match of the round against Oakleigh, while Northern got the better of Western in an impressive scoring display to open the season.

ONES TO WATCH

They say the cream rises to the top and that notion was proven true by Eastern pair Josh Smillie and Christian Moraes last week. As far as midfield duos go, few can claim to have quite the same class and match-winning ability as these two. Look out.

The Ranges also lay claim to a couple of outstanding bottom-agers in Lachy Dovaston and Oliver Greeves, who will look to build into their work after steady starts. Over-age ruck-forward Illiro Smit also has potential if he can string together some consistent outings.

Northern moved the ball with quality last week, largely thanks to classy midfielder Zak Johnson and hard-running wingman Lucas McInerney. Watch for Jesse Dattoli to liven things up, while key forward Thomas Sims is emerging after a crucial bag of five goals.

PREDICTION

Northern put together the highest score of any team last week, but will likely find doing so far tougher against Eastern. The midfield battle between a quartet of likely Vic Metro teammates should be interesting, too. For their top-end class, Ranges by 13.

Saturday March 30, 1:00pm @ RSEA Park

IN A NUTSHELL

Long time local rivals Sandringham and Oakleigh take centre stage in a standalone Saturday fixture which will likely serve as match of the round. The Dragons won big in Round 1 and have a crazy depth of talent, while Oakleigh lost and will be slightly undermanned this week.

ONES TO WATCH

Oakleigh will be without two top-end prospects in Finn O’Sullivan and Tom Gross, likely opening the door for Patrick Retschko to switch the wing for centre bounce time. It also leaves Jagga Smith with plenty to do in his rotation from the forward line.

Meanwhile, Sandringham’s stacked side only gets better with the likes of bottom-agers Xavier Bamert and Archie Ludowyke named in an extended lineup. At the forefront, co-captain Levi Ashcroft will look to lead a talented midfield line.

Powerful unit Nathaniel Sulzberger joins him, along with Murphy Reid, Samuel Marshall and Taj Hotton. Look for the small-tall combo of Harrison Oliver and Luke Trainor to set things up by foot from defence, while Bailey McKenzie is an emerging prospect up forward.

PREDICTION

It will be difficult to look past Sandringham for each of its opening month fixtures, even against such an opponent as Oakleigh. If the Dragons can get going like they did last week, they should get the chocolates here against an undermanned Chargers midfield. Dragons by 23.