ONLY two Country sides remain in the Coates Talent League premiership race after the weekend’s quarter finals. We break down how the campaigns of the Geelong Falcons and Gippsland Power panned out with a look at their star players and what’s in store for the future.

>> 2024 Coates Talent League: Stats | RMC Medal | Team of the Year

GEELONG FALCONS

H&A RECORD: 1st Overall | 1st Country | 11-4 | 127.1%
H&A STREAK: WWW | L | WW | L | WW | L | WWW | L | W
WILDCARD: Bye
QUARTER-FINAL: def. by GWV Rebels 12.10 (82) to 14.11 (95)

THE STORY:

One of the most well-drilled and even teams in the competition, Geelong had no trouble consistently stringing together wins en route to the minor premiership. The Falcons’ four home-and-away losses broke up a quartet of seperate win streaks, which saw the acclaimed footy factory finish top of the tree and automatically qualify for finals out of the Country conference. Unfortunately, only a fortnight after beating GWV, Geelong fell to the Rebels in the Quarter Finals.

THE HIGHLIGHT:

There were plenty of highs throughout the Falcons’ campaign, having finished first and achieved a pair of three-game winning runs. The first of them came right at the start of the season, sparked by a phenomenal come-from-behind victory over eventual preliminary finalist, Dandenong. The Falcons trailed for nearly all of their Round 1 match but hit the lead for the first time with under 10 minutes left to play, and again via Zac McInnes‘ winner in the dying seconds.

THE STAR:

No player was named in his side’s best players more this season than co-captain Lachie Jaques. The flashy defender did so 12 times in 14 games, averaging 23 disposals, six marks, and five rebound 50s per outing. He earned Vic Country and All Australian selection along the way, offering great dash and dare on the rebound to go with effective ball use and spring-heeled intercept marking.

THE MAINSTAYS:

The Falcons had a raft of contributors throughout the season, and a few potential draftees to show for it. Hard-running midfielder Xavier Ivisic was integral between his school football and representative commitments, earning a state combine invite alongside key forward Daniel Lowther.

Small forward River Stevens earned the same honour having turned out seven times for the Falcons this year. He is tied to North Melbourne under father-son eligibility, and the same goes for Noah Caracella (Essendon) – a composed and versatile ball user who found a home in defence.

The Falcons got some good service out of their 2005-born talent. Will McLachlan was drafted by Brisbane mid-season after booting 26 goals in six games. Meanwhile, ruckman Joe Pike and tall wingman Liam Kershaw stayed the course at Coates Talent League level as over-agers.

Along with Jaques, the likes of co-captain Brady Hall, swingman Zac McInnes, and Jack Skinner were difficult to beat down back. The resolute trio’s combined height, strength, and combativeness helped shut down the opposition’s best forwards each week.

It would be remiss not to mention midfielder-forwards Cooper Ward and Noah Tullio. Both were integral to the Falcons’ mid-season patches without their representative talent, capable of winning matches off their own boots. Edan Ibbetson and James Hose joined them in playing a full 16 games.

THE FUTURE:

Geelong Next Generation Academy member Ben Rongdit shapes as the Falcons’ leading prospect next year. The athletic defender only played once at Coates Talent League level this year but was a standout in the 2023 Under 16 season and has raw potential to burn.

He and defender/midfielder Josh Lindsay will turn out in this month’s National Futures showcase. The Falcons had a further five players selected in the Vic Country Under 17 squad; namely Hugo Mikunda, Jesse Mellor, Ben Coote, Geordie Richardson, and Oliver Johnston.

Outside of that group, explosive small forward Giuseppe Posterino is one to watch. 2008-born talent Darcy Harrington has also hit the ground running since debuting in Round 15. Still only 15 years-old, he hardly looked overawed at the level as a versatile and tough midfielder/forward.

>> SEASON RECAPS: Country Wildcards | Metro Wildcards

GIPPSLAND POWER

H&A RECORD: 6th Overall | 4th Country | 9-5 | 96.6%
H&A STREAK: W | L | WW | L | WWW | L | WW | L | W | L
WILDCARD: def. Murray Bushrangers 7.9 (51) to 6.8 (44)
QUARTER FINAL: def. by Dandenong Stingrays 7.16 (58) to 9.10 (64)

THE STORY:

Gippsland’s season pivoted around a strong middle sector, where the Power went on a streak of seven wins in nine games. That included consecutive victories twice, and a three-game winning run which propelled the side upwards. Gippsland was triumphant in Wildcard Round and after a slow start, pushed Dandenong all the way in their Quarter Final but fell six points short of progressing.

THE HIGHLIGHT:

A pair of Gippsland’s wins hold up well considering how the season panned out. The Power beat Dandenong in Round 2 and Sandringham in Round 9, who are set to face off in Sunday’s preliminary final. Gippy’s season-opening win over the Stingrays was nabbed on the road having been tested, but leading at every break. Both sides were at relative full strength too, making it all the more sweet.

THE STAR:

None other than the captain, Xavier Lindsay. Despite battling seperate injury niggles throughout the season, and being made unavailable by representative duties, Lindsay was his side’s best player in nearly every full outing. The midfielder averaged 23.4 disposals and 5.2 inside 50s across 12 games in his third season at the level. His campaign ended with a PCL injury in Round 19.

THE MAINSTAYS:

Gippsland had several players emerge in 2024, with one being mid-season draftee Tom Hanily. Athletic, high-flying swingman Alix Tauru was arguably the sharpest riser though, catapulting himself into the Vic Country squad and top 20 contention after an early-season injury.

Northern Territory native Ricky Mentha was another who featured at the Under 18 National Championships, representing the Allies. Meanwhile, the likes of Asher Eastham and Max Donohue were unlucky not to crack a strong Vic Country squad, but went on to play a full 16 games.

Much like Tauru and Mentha, Eastham showed his wares at both ends of the ground. He most often featured up forward, booting 24 goals and averaging over five marks per game. Donohue was a mainstay on the wing, contributing 19 touches and 4.8 marks in each outing.

A pair of midfielders also featured heavily this season, in over-ager Jesse Craven and Max Stobie. Both were integral in supporting an engine room which ended up being littered with bottom-age talent, offering a hard edge, consistency, and experience in their 14 respective appearances.

THE FUTURE:

The future was arguably the main event in Gippsland’s side this season. Midfielder Brodie Atkins played every game, while Willem Duursma projects as one of the top prospects for next year’s draft. The latter, a genuine utility, played across every line and ended the season among the on-ball group.

Another talented bottom-age midfielder who gained exposure was Zachary O’Keefe. Adelaide father-son hopeful Mitchell Stevens proved a mainstay in defence, while Jobe Scapin was trialled in a variety of roles. Lively small forward Thomas Matthews also enjoyed a strong end to the year.

As is usually the case, Gippsland blooded several Under 16 prospects, too. Rangy marking target Wil Malady nailed down a spot up forward with 11 goals in seven games, hitting the scoreboard in every outing. He was the hero of Vic Country’s Under 16 National Championships title victory.

A pair of teammates from that side also earned Coates Talent League berths. Diminutive midfielder/forward Marlon Neocleous played five games and has cult hero potential, while Cody Templeton made two appearances, including 13 touches and a goal on debut.