ONLY two Metro sides remain in the Coates Talent League premiership race after the weekend’s quarter finals. We break down how the campaigns of the Calder Cannons and Northern Knights panned out with a look at their star players and what’s in store for the future.

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CALDER CANNONS

H&A RECORD: 2nd Overall | 1st Metro | 11-4 | 112.6%
H&A STREAK: L | WWW | L | W | L | WWWWWW | L | W
WILDCARD: def. by Oakleigh Chargers 10.7 (67) to 14.10 (94)
QUARTER FINAL: def. by Sandringham Dragons 8.8 (56) to 17.14 (116)

THE STORY:

Calder stormed home with wins in seven of its last eight games, including a six-game unbeaten run. The Cannons also made a 4-1 start and after a slight wobble, hit the ground running to set up a campaign which saw them fall percentage short of the minor premiership. Having finished as the top ranked Metro side, injuries and a couple of spiky postseason matchups saw them bundled out in straight sets.

THE HIGHLIGHT:

The Cannons’ six-game winning streak was undoubtedly the high point of their season. In said period, they knocked off preliminary finalists GWV Rebels and Oakleigh Chargers, and quarter finalist Northern. Calder was close to making it a run of eight wins, with their only loss between Rounds 8-17 coming by a single point at the hands of Murray Bushrangers. It propelled the side into the top rung of the ladder.

THE STAR:

Essendon Next Generation Academy (NGA) star Isaac Kako is undoubtedly Calder’s top prospect this year. The livewire small forward, playing his third Coates Talent League season, booted 20 goals in 12 games from averages of 18.7 disposals, 4.2 marks, and 4.0 inside 50s. He even provided a spark in midfield when required. Kako’s speed, creativity, and x-factor will likely see him attract a bit within the top 15 picks come draft time.

THE MAINSTAYS:

Calder laid claim to a strong core of players who were available for much of the season, barring the representative period. Skipper Damon Hollow was among them, a fierce competitor who set the tone in midfield. He also spent time at both ends of the ground and gave his all for the team.

Kako’s fellow Essendon NGA member Jayden Nguyen was another lively and versatile asset. The rebound defender finished the year with a high of 28 disposals in Calder’s quarter final loss to Oakleigh, spending half the game in midfield. He took the game on with speed and dare.

A couple of highly touted talents in Nash King and Harry O’Farrell staked their claims, but were hampered by injuries at times. Elsewhere, the likes of Patrick Said and Noah Scott offered plenty in the midfield-forward rotation, while wingman Hugh Allison played all 17 games.

THE FUTURE:

Calder boasts a potential top 10 candidate next year in Cooper Duff-Tytler. The mobile ruckman split his time at Calder with school football commitments but showed enough to suggest he’ll be highly sought after next year. The talented basketballer has also confirmed his intention to pursue football.

Another Essendon NGA product is coming through the ranks in Hussien El Achkar. The powerful 171cm forward averaged 15.2 disposals and kicked 19 goals in 15 games this season, including a bag of five against Western in Round 19. He also rolled through the midfield.

Another small to keep an eye on is defender/midfielder Felix Kneipp. Between his APS commitments, he showed a good ability to accumulate and make clever decisions with the ball, while also playing team-oriented roles. Hamish Bird played the most games as a bottom-ager this year, with 15.

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NORTHERN KNIGHTS

H&A RECORD: 9th Overall | 4th Metro | 5-9-1 | 100.6%
H&A STREAK: W | LL | WWW | LLLLL | D | W | LL
WILDCARD: def. Eastern Ranges 13.12 (90) to 8.4 (52)
QUARTER FINAL: def. by Oakleigh Chargers 10.8 (68) to 9.16 (70)

THE STORY:

It was a year of peaks and troughs for Northern, who finished smack bang in the middle of the table. The Knights’ best patch, a run of three wins, was immediately followed by four losses on the trot, and a draw to stop the rot. They left their best until last though, upsetting Eastern in Wildcard Round and getting within two points of a Preliminary Final berth.

THE HIGHLIGHT:

Northern’s best moment of the season was its Wildcard Round boilover against the higher-ranked Eastern. Having lost to the Ranges twice before, including just a week prior, the Knights enacted a terrific turnaround to get up by 38 points at Mars Stadium. The region is building a happy knack for postseason wins at the venue. The Knights’ three-game win streak was another consideration.

THE STAR:

Others where most present throughout the season but Dattoli was integral to the Knights’ cause across each of his seven appearances. He averaged 23.1 disposals, 4.3 marks, and over a goal per game, including three seperate hauls of three goals and a high of 35 touches. He is arguably the region’s hottest prospect and is rising the ranks as a creative midfielder-forward.

THE MAINSTAYS:

Co-captain Zak Johnson would be right up there in the best and fairest count having averaged a touch under 26 disposals per his 12 games. The midfielder spent time across half-back in the lead up to the National Championships, and also rotated forward for nine goals.

The key forward pairing of Gabriel Stumpf (27 goals) and Thomas Sims (23) provided ample versatility and athleticism, while also impacting the scoreboard. Both represented Vic Metro, and Sims in particular showed his game-winning ability with hauls of five and seven goals.

Stumpf was one of four players to feature in all of a possible 17 games. Wingman Lucas McInerney, backman Aaron Doyle, and utility Riley Ormerod joined him. The Knights also had a raft of reliable squad members like co-captain Taj Logan, and rotating midfielders Jordyn Gillard, Kristian Lawson, and Ty Kitchell.

THE FUTURE:

There is an even crop coming through the Knights next year without a particular standout. Carlton NGA prospect Tyson Gresham has some exciting traits, and is the brother of Essendon’s Jade. He played in Vic Metro’s Under 17 side along with talls Nick Canavan and Sean Tyrell.

A pair who missed out this year through injury, Isaac Dugdale and Mitchell Moate will be ones to watch upon their returns. One who made it on the field for the most games of any bottom-ager was James Allison, while Sebastian Murphy popped up with some handy late-season form.

The Knights have also blooded a bunch of Under 16s. All Australian defender Tate Hodgson and midfielder-forward Max Downes ended up being mainstays, while forward Sam Gayfer showed his wares. Ruck Harry Van Hattum also has plenty to give and Logan Shepherd managed a debut.