A STANDALONE Saturday fixture between the Tasmania Devils and Dandenong Stingrays opens Round 7 of the Coates Talent League this weekend. We preview that clash, which also serves as an AFL curtain-raiser in Launceston, before taking a look at what else is in store around the grounds on Sunday.

Saturday May 11, 9:30am @ UTAS Stadium

IN A NUTSHELL

Two sides on win streaks are set to meet on the Apple Isle, as Tasmania Devils host the Dandenong Stingrays at UTAS Stadium in Launceston. Interest lies in a bunch of mid-season draft hopefuls, likely representative squad members, and which team can keep its winning run going.

WHERE THEY SIT

Tasmania Devils: 8th | 2-3 | 120.0% | LLLWW
Dandenong Stingrays: 9th | 2-2 | 114.1% | LLWW

TEAMS

Tasmania Devils:

B: #18 H. Elmer – #22 F. Richards – #29 E. French
HB: #20 M. Roney – #37 H. Brereton – #19 L. Wootton
C: #27 J. Breen – #24 O. Van Dam – #15 M. Brereton
HF: #2 D. Cooney – #1 L. Ling – #13 O. Depaoli-Kubank
F: #11 M. Mapley – #10 O. Dean – #21 L. Douglas
FOL: #7 J. Hay – #6 L. Ling – #4 G. Payne

INT: #12 R. McHenry, #26 D. Summers, #38 D. Pitt, #42 J. Clark, #9 T. Callow

Dandenong Stingrays:

B: #37 C. Orchard – #15 K. Hurst – #10 B. Hopkins
HB: #27 R. Bergman – #5 R. Andrew – #12 T. De La Rue
C: #30 M. Lee – #3 H. Doughton – #35 J. Barnes
HF: #8 N. Hibbins-Hargreaves – #14 H. Hayes – #6 P. Bloink
F: #29 T. Sullivan – #18 J. Grant – #1 C. Hynes
FOL: #22 J. Doherty – #2 H. Langford – #41 C. Gillam

INT: #11 S. Lewis, #49 T. Sinnema, #50 T. Anic, #63 Q. Harvey

ONES TO WATCH

Dandenong co-captains Harvey Langford and Cooper Hynes are just about the best one-two punch in the competition right now. Both strongly built 190cm midfielder-forwards, they are capable of dominating at the contest, taking big marks, and kicking goals.

Compounding the Stingrays’ on-ball threat is Harrison Doughton, while mobile ruckman Jordan Doherty has emerged as a prospect to watch. He, and fellow over-agers Jacob Grant and Riak Andrew help form a promising spine which should glue the side together nicely.

Tasmania will be buoyed by the return of one of its own over-agers in Oscar Van Dam. The midfielder’s strong TSL form for North Launceston has him back in the Coates Talent League fold, slotting into midfield alongside rising mid-season draft candidate Geordie Payne.

The Devils’ ruck-forward rotation is also quite strong. National Academy member Oliver Dean partners Max Mapley as a starter inside attacking 50, while bottom-ager Jasper Hay takes on primary ruck duties. At ground level, watch for Lenny Douglas to provide serious power.

PREDICTION

Saturday marks Tasmania’s first true home game for the season and having travel plans flipped on the opposition should bode well, needless to say. With both sides beginning to settle and find form, this should be a ripping contest. Home ground advantage means Devils by 5.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

It’s double-headers galore across the Coates Talent League this week, with plenty of boys and girls fixtures lining up alongside one-another. First up in the boy’s competition is the Lions Academy taking on Calder Cannons, who will unleash bottom-age tall Cooper Duff-Tytler among three debutants.

The Lions, who play host at Brighton Homes Arena for the second time in three weeks, have suffered two losses by a combined margin of seven points thus far. Meanwhile, Calder comes into Sunday’s match off a 19-point victory over Geelong and has now won three games on the bounce.

Greater Western Victoria will be buoyed by the return of wingman Jack Ough and key forward Floyd Burmeister for its clash with Gippsland Power at La Trobe University. The winless Rebels will have it tough against a Power outfit which holds a strong 3-1 record and two wins in a row.

Eastern’s starting midfield will be as good as it gets on Sunday as the Ranges face Western Jets in Werribee. Christian Moraes returns, joining star prospect Josh Smillie and Vic Metro squad member Cody Anderson on-ball, with mid-season draft hopeful Illiro Smit set to ruck to the trio.

Murray’s meeting with Oakleigh in Shepparton presents another opportunity for Matt Whitlock to ply his trade up forward, with twin brother Jack still absent. The Bushrangers notched up a thumping win last time out, while the Chargers were handily beaten in a near triple-digit defeat.

Gold Coast’s brilliant bottom-age brigade will have another chance to shine as the Suns Academy welcomes Geelong Falcons to Austworld Centre Oval. Both sides are coming off losses in Round 7 but will have strong talent at their disposal across each age group.

The final matchup of the round sees Northern head up to Bendigo to face the Pioneers. The Knights were big winners last week thanks to Thomas Sims‘ seven second-half goals, while Bendigo will hope classy forward duo Jobe Shanahan and Archer Day-Wicks can continue to hit top form.

ROUND 7 FIXTURE

Saturday May 11

Tasmania Devils vs. Dandenong Stingrays
9:30am @ UTAS Stadium

Sunday May 12

Lions Academy vs. Calder Cannons
10:30am @ Brighton Homes Arena

Western Jets vs. Eastern Ranges
11:00am @ Avalon Airport Oval

GWV Rebels vs. Gippsland Power
11:00am @ La Trobe University

Murray Bushrangers vs. Oakleigh Chargers
11:30am @ Deakin Reserve

Suns Academy vs. Geelong Falcons
12:40pm @ Austworld Centre Oval

Bendigo Pioneers vs. Northern Knights
1:10pm @ Queen Elizabeth Oval