WITH the 2024 Under 16 and Under 18 National Championships having run their course, all 13 Coates Talent League regions will resume their runs to finals in Round 15. After last week’s competition-wide bye, a full allotment of six games are scheduled this weekend. We preview the three Saturday fixtures.

Saturday July 20, 11:45am @ Wangaratta Showgrounds

IN A NUTSHELL

Both the Murray Bushrangers and Northern Knights will be out to snap their losing streaks in Wangaratta on Saturday, with the hosts having lost their last three games, while the visitors travel with a five-game skid in tow. They are yet to meet this season.

RECORDS

Murray Bushrangers – 8th | 5-5 | 104.6%
Northern Knights – 10th | 4-7 | 98.2%

ONES TO WATCH

Murray’s forwardline is something to behold. Twins Jack and Matt Whitlock hold up the key position posts, while Joshua Murphy provides the ultimate aerial fold for them, and small Joe Berry is sure to thrive at ground level. The latter finished with the equal-most National Championships goals.

Northern co-captain Zak Johnson looks set to be plugged back into midfield after his block down back. Meanwhile, tall forwards Thomas Sims and Gabriel Stumpf resume their partnership up front. Vic Metro Under 16 talent Max Downes is also one to watch on debut as the Knights’ 23rd man.

PREDICTION

With the representative carnival’s conclusion coinciding with the return of school football, Murray gains arguably a greater weight of quality to its starting side. Both forwardlines will be tough to stop at full flight so we may be in for a shootout here. Bushrangers by 25.

Saturday July 20, 11:55am @ UTAS Stadium

IN A NUTSHELL

Two sides in top form clash on the Apple Isle, with Tasmania riding a seven-game win streak while Western has saluted in four of its last five games. The Jets’ only loss in that period came by a single point, so they’ll be primed to challenge the second-placed Devils in Launceston.

RECORDS

Tasmania Devils – 2nd | 7-3 | 137.1%
Western Jets – 7th | 5-5 | 124.0%

ONES TO WATCH

Tasmania’s tall division is quite handy, boasting bottom-age ruck Jasper Hay, and 200cm giants Oliver Dean and Max Mapley down the spine. Allies representatives Oliver Depaoli-Kubank and Lenny Douglas are also sure to create plenty of scores both in midfield and the forward half.

Western regains two of its Vic Metro squad members in Lucca Grego and over-age ruck Lucas Impey. Captain Keighton Matofai-Forbes looks set to miss with a hamstring injury, though Oskar Ainsworth is in good goalkicking form. Classy midfielder Thomas McGuane is another to watch.

PREDICTION

Tasmania’s record speaks for itself and outside a slow 0-3 start, the Devils have been flawless. They are also undefeated on home turf with an average winning margin of 38 points this season. Western has cashed in during the representative block but will be up against it here. Devils by 20.

Saturday July 20, 12:00pm @ Belvedere Reserve

IN A NUTSHELL

Boasting four-game win streaks respectively, the Sandringham Dragons and Dandenong Stingrays will resume their local rivalry in Seaford on Saturday. The Dragons’ premiership defence is in good shape as they lead the ladder, while Dandenong is rising having stayed undefeated over five games.

RECORDS

Sandringham Dragons – 1st | 8-3 | 135.4%
Dandenong Stingrays – 5th | 6-3-1 | 110.8%

ONES TO WATCH

Sandringham had more Vic Metro representatives than any region but only one has been named for Saturday’s game – reliable key defender Adrian Cole. Watch for tall pair Luka Pecer and Sam Buck to play key roles, along with midfielders Luke Kennedy and Jhett Haeata.

Dandenong is graced by the return of co-captains Harvey Langford and Cooper Hynes. The pair is joined by fellow Vic Country reps in over-age talls Riak Andrew and Jordan Doherty, and bottom-age utility Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves. Under 16 gun Marcus Prasad is another to watch on debut.

PREDICTION

Dandenong will just about be firing on all cylinders against a Sandringham side which will look much different at the pointy end of the season. There is no real home ground advantage for the Dragons either, who are makeshift hosts in Seaford where Dandenong has played twice this year (1-1). Stingrays by 18.

REMAINING ROUND 15 FIXTURE

Sunday July 21

Geelong Falcons vs. Oakleigh Chargers
11:00am @ Avalon Airport Oval

Bendigo Pioneers vs. Calder Cannons
12:00pm @ Queen Elizabeth Oval

Gippsland Power vs. Eastern Ranges
1:00pm @ Morwell Football Ground

Bye: GWV Rebels