WESTERN Jets host the Eastern Ranges as the final Coates Talent League home-and-away round gets underway tomorrow. A super Saturday is in store, with four of the weekend’s six fixtures set to take place throughout the one day. We preview the all-Metro clash, which features plenty of star power.

WHEN: Saturday August 23, 10:30am
WHERE: Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee
WATCH: Coates Talent League app

IN A SENTENCE:

Top-ranked Metro region Eastern Ranges will look to extend their five-game winning streak when they travel to face Western in the opening match of the final home-and-away round, with the Jets keen to cause an upset which would take them off the foot of the overall ladder.

WHERE THEY SIT:

Western Jets – 3-11 | 73.7% | LLLLW
Eastern Ranges – 10-4 | 122.4 | WWWWW

TEAMS:

Western Jets

B: 23. C. Battye – 31. J. McDaid – 35. J. Marron
HB: 26. F. Davis – 17. B. Wigmore – 12. Z. Dalli
C: 24. N. McMenamin – 10. T. Burton – 7. T. McGuane
HF: 14. H. Gardner-Solomon – 3. Z. Weis – 43. Z. Gentner
F: 8. M. Tapping – 28. J. Miller – 1. K. El Souki
FOL: 37. M. Buck – 16. S. Koulouris – 34. A. Tippett

INT: 6. J. Djatschenko, 21. K. Williams, 22. C. Lamont, 29. G. Barker, 30. G. Lafaialii

EMG: 13. H. Marial, 36. C. Mackenzie-George

Eastern Ranges

B: 37. R. Ali – 22. X. Taylor – 16. T. Swainston
HB: 25. O. Taylor – 11. M. Gillan – 43. M. Buckland
C: 38. H. Chapman – 9. J. Landy – 1. B. Chambers
HF: 55. S. Robey – 8. L. Dovaston – 30. M. Hansen
F: 4. B. Lloyd – 23. J. Gilchrist – 39. M. Reynders
FOL: 59. M. Krasnadamskis – 7. J. Knapp – 26. O. Greeves

INT: 14. Z. Antonellos, 24. C. Sizer, 34. A. Spencer, 36. J. Lawrence, 41. S. Devers

EMG: 5. D. Jamieson

ONES TO WATCH:

Both teams boast three National Draft Combine invitees each, though Eastern depth shows with a further five state combine invitees compared to Western’s two. All members of either group will be available to the Ranges, while the Jets go in without powerful forward Oskar Ainsworth.

Central to Western’s midfield is Thomas Burton, who leads the line alongside bottom-ager Angus Tippett and 15-year-old Griffin Barker. Collingwood father-son prospect Thomas McGuane has been named out on the wing for his return game, having recently turned out for the Pies’ VFL side.

Hawthorn fans will have an eye on their own father-son hopeful Kobe Williams, who is also tied to the Western Bulldogs’ Next Generation Academy (NGA) and made his VFL debut for Footscray. Lively bottom-age small forward Khaled El Souki is another Bulldogs NGA member to watch.

Down back, prolific rebounder Finn Davis has garnered plenty of late-season attention, while Jacob Marron is always solid on the last line. Vic Metro Under 16 captain and All-Australian Jake Miller is the Jets’ other bookend, looking to bounce back from a steady outing by his standards.

Eastern’s depth of talent is just as extensive across the age groups, as evidenced by both its combine attendee list and Vic Metro Futures representatives. In the former group, goalsneak Lachy Dovaston, midfielder Oliver Greeves, and tall defender Xavier Taylor all firm as first round fancies.

Over-ager Rod Ali will feature down back, providing aerial support while Oskar Taylor promises to tear across the turf. Up the line is slick-kicking wingman Blake Chambers, while dynamic forward Sullivan Robey will be keen to impress having earned a state combine invite.

Another to have done so is ruckman Marcus Krasnadamskis, who has bolted into draft contention having put his high-level basketball commitments to the side. He’ll look to feed a talented midfield group including Greeves and bottom-age accumulator Jordan Knapp.

Knapp was one of the Ranges’ many impressive Futures representatives for Vic Metro recently. Also in that group likely to feature around the square are defender Mitchell Gillan, wingman Harrison Chapman, Archie Spencer, and mobile ruck-forward Jaden Lawrence.

PREDICTION:

It’s hard to ignore form, and while both sides have seen key players switch in and out of the side this season, both are just about back to full strength. That makes Eastern all the more fearsome given the pure depth of talent on show, and presence of genuine star power. Western is looking competitive despite its record and has draftable talent throughout the age groups, so should give this matchup a red-hot crack. Ranges by 25.

ROUND 19 FIXTURE

Saturday August 23

Western Jets vs. Eastern Ranges
10:30am @ Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee

Northern Knights vs. Calder Cannons
10:30am @ Preston City Oval, Preston

Sandringham Dragons vs. Oakleigh Chargers
2:00pm @ Trevor Barker Beach Oval, Sandringham

Dandenong Stingrays vs. Gippsland Power
6:30pm @ Shepley Oval, Dandenong

Sunday August 24

Bendigo Pioneers vs. GWV Rebels
1:10pm @ Queen Elizabeth Oval, Bendigo

Murray Bushrangers vs. Geelong Falcons
2:10pm @ Deakin Reserve, Shepparton