THE PENULTIMATE Coates Talent League home-and-away round gets underway tomorrow, as the Bendigo Pioneers and Tasmania Devils meet at La Trobe University. Most of the action then takes place on Sunday, including a double-header at RSEA Park. We preview the weekend’s opening clash before taking a look around the grounds.

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Saturday August 17, 11:30am @ La Trobe University

IN A NUTSHELL

Two sides on losing skids will hope to gather winning form heading into the business end of the season, as the Bendigo Pioneers and Tasmania Devils lock horns on neutral territory. The fourth-place Devils have dropped their last two games but remain well poised to remain in the upper rungs of the ladder, while Bendigo has lost in its last nine outings after starting the campaign 4-0.

RECORDS

Bendigo Pioneers: 12th | 4-9 | 85.9%
Tasmania Devils: 4th | 8-5 | 124.7%

STREAK

Bendigo Pioneers: WWWW | LLLLLLLLL
Tasmania Devils: LLL | WWWWWWWW | LL

SQUADS

Bendigo Pioneers:

B: #24 F. Lockhart, #44 Z. Lockwood, #48 J. Davis
HB: #58 R. Drennan, #42 J. Barrat, #11 C. Evans
C: #25 C. Cook, #32 A. Watt, #21 J. Chambers
HF: #2 A. Day-Wicks, #45 T. Bond, #5 O. Poole
F: #31 A. Scoble, #4 T. Evans, #33 D. Jones
FOL: #41 G. Toll, #47 W. Bennett, #8 D. Uerata

INT: #15 M. Bell, #18 G. Gillbee, #35 K. Constable, #57 H. Kellett
23rd: #52 C. Walker

Tasmania Devils:

B: #15 M. Brereton, #40 T. Prokopiec, #37 H. Brereton
HB: #33 M. Geappen, #18 H. Elmer, #20 M. Roney
C: #13 O. Depaoli-Kubank, #19 L. Wootton, #2 D. Cooney
HF: #1 L. Ling, #12 R. McHenry, #21 L. Douglas
F: #28 A. Thomas, #10 O. Dean, #25 C. Bovill
FOL: #7 J. Hay, #6 C. Ling, #38 D. Pitt

INT: #9 T. Callow, #29 E. French, #32 K. Lyons, #42 J. Clark
23rd: #4 J. Miller

ONES TO WATCH

Bendigo will be without the likes of Jobe Shanahan and Tobie Travaglia, who recently earned VFL berths for Essendon and Carlton respectively. Nonetheless, another 2024 state league debutant in James Barrat remains locked into his role at centre half-back, proving a pillar of the defence.

Bendigo also looks set to have a talented midfield rotation, featuring Xavier College duo Tom Evans and Archie Watt alongside skipper Dayten Uerata. Mercurial forward Archer Day-Wicks may also roll through there along with 2026 Carlton father-son and Richmond NGA prospect Cody Walker.

Tasmania’s rotation of talls is likely to land with National Academy member Oliver Dean partnered by Under 16 talent Charlie Bovill up forward, while bottom-ager Jasper Hay takes on the primary ruck duties. Over-age swingman Max Mapley is out of the side this week.

The Devils have some handy small-medium types on each line too. Speedster Lenny Douglas is sure to run amok inside 50, while Oliver Depaoli-Kubank has been named on the wing and defender Max Roney features down back. The latter has been in terrific form of late.

PREDICTION

Bendigo will be without arguably its best two prospects and that counts for plenty, though there is a good amount of stock left in the side. The form guide and ladder positions suggest Tasmania will be a heavy favourite, though the Devils are 3-3 in Victoria this year. Still, Devils by 15.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Saturday’s other fixture pits Dandenong against Calder at Shepley Oval. Both sides are in winning form, with the Cannons looking to remain equal-first while the Stingrays continue their push towards a top two berth. There is plenty of talent between either region, though both will be without star players.

Calder livewire Isaac Kako (syndesmosis) is set to miss, while Dandenong will be without co-captains Harvey Langford and Cooper Hynes. Langford, considered a top 10 prospect, is set to make his VFL debut with Richmond as the Tigers continue to hold auditions for their projected top pick.

In terms of those taking the field, Calder will be excited to pair talls Cooper Duff-Tytler and Harry O’Farrell up forward. The midfield combination of Nash King and Damon Hollow is also promising, while smalls Hussien El Achkar and Felix Kneipp be busy figures at either end of the ground.

Dandenong boasts a strong core of Vic Country Under 17 representatives, who return to Coates Talent League level all together. Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves wasn’t part of that squad, but is arguably the best of the Stingrays’ bottom-age crop and will likely line up on the wing with a rotation forward.

St Kilda father-son hopeful Elwood Peckett has been named in midfield fresh off his VFL debut with Sandringham, set to assume plenty of ball winning responsibility. Meanwhile, over-agers Jordan Doherty (ruck) and Riak Andrew (defence) are among the region’s state combine invitees.

Arguably the weekend’s main event is the double-header at RSEA Park on Sunday. Sandringham takes on Geelong in the first match at 11am, with both sides in the hunt for the minor premiership. The Dragons are well poised to welcome back a host of top-end talent as they push for a third-straight flag.

In the second game, Oakleigh and Greater Western Victoria (GWV) go head-to-head. Despite being two of the bottom three teams on the ladder, they promise to put on a good show with many players set to return having either been injured or tied up in school and representative duties this year.

Elsewhere, Gippsland and Murray host Northern and Western respectively in a pair of regional-based fixtures. The Power are among a competitive top six, while the remaining three regions are jostling for position ahead of Wildcard Round. Eastern Ranges have the bye in Round 18.

ROUND 18 FIXTURE

Saturday August 17:

Bendigo Pioneers vs. Tasmania Devils
11:30am @ La Trobe University

Dandenong Stingrays vs. Calder Cannons
2:30pm @ Shepley Oval

Sunday August 18:

Sandringham Dragons vs. Geelong Falcons
11:00am @ RSEA Park

Gippsland Power vs. Northern Knights
1:00pm @ Morwell Recreation Reserve

Murray Bushrangers vs. Western Jets
1:00pm @ Wangaratta Showgrounds

Oakleigh Chargers vs. GWV Rebels
1:30pm @ RSEA Park

Bye: Eastern Ranges