THREE of seven regions in the Country conference have been eliminated from the 2025 Coates Talent League season after an action-packed Wildcard weekend. We review the campaigns of the Bendigo Pioneers, Murray Bushrangers, and Tasmania Devils after their respective exits.

BENDIGO PIONEERS

RECORD: 10th Overall | 5th Country | 7-8 | 100.6%
STREAK: WW | LL | W | LL | WW | L | W | LLL | W
WILDCARD: def. by Geelong Falcons 11.6 (72) to 11.10 (76)

THE STORY:

After a campaign which was effectively split right down the middle last year, Bendigo was much more consistently competitive in 2025. The Pioneers had nine games decided by two goals or less, including seven by under six points. They went 3-4 in those seven tighter-run contests, which included a dramatic Wildcard Round loss to Geelong. Such results made it difficult for Bendigo to string together victories, managing a high of two on the trot twice throughout the campaign. To be 10th overall and fifth in the Country conference was perhaps a harsh result considering their nearly even record.

THE HIGHLIGHT:

Bendigo’s 111-point thumping of Murray in Round 15 was comfortably its greatest winning margin, with the next best sitting at 32 points. The Pios had 13 individual goalkickers against the Bushies for a total of 21.14 (140). They also nabbed a pair of wins over 2024 Grand Finalist Greater Western Victoria, in Rounds 7 and 19. Those two results hold up well given the Rebels coasted into the final eight.

THE STAR:

Cody Walker
Midfielder | 184cm | 26/01/2008

Season Averages [13 games]: 25.6 disposals, 5.3 marks, 3.2 tackles, 6.1 inside 50s

Coming into the season as one of the nation’s most highly touted bottom-agers, Walker found his groove after a breakout performance in Round 7. He booted three goals from 31 disposals and 10 marks that day, which set the platform for his superb back-end of the season. The Carlton father-son prospect hit a high of 38 touches against Calder in Round 16 and placed second for total disposals.

THE MAINSTAYS:

A trio of Bendigo top-agers played all of a possible 16 games this season; dashing defender Jessie Johnstone, key back Shaun Watson, and highly regarded leader Riley Dillon. The region was also served well by returning over-agers Tom Evans, ruck Zaydyn Lockwood, and leading goalkicker Nick Thompson.

Vic Country representatives Hunter Wright and Jaidi Jackson-Leahy played key hands through the midfield along with Patrick Blake, who led the region for tackles with 7.7 per his 15 appearances. Utility players like speedster Jonty Davis and Finlay Lockhart were also prominent throughout the year.

THE FUTURE:

Along with Walker, tall utility Angus Hoyne played the most games of any Pioneers bottom-ager this year (13). Another key position prospect in Seamus Doherty showed a bit, as did small forward Eamon Austin who finished runner-up in the goalkicking. Left-footed midfielder Sonny Beasy also looks a type.

Three Pioneers featured across the NSW-ACT and Vic Country Futures squads. Bodhi Edwards turned out for the Rams, while defender Jack Bell took the field alongside 200cm ruckman Joel Turner for the Big V. It was Vic Country who took the chocolates in that game with a 10-point victory.

The Pios also boast a pair of highly regarded talents in the Under 16 category – Max Thompson and Riley Travaglia. Thompson earned All-Australian and state MVP honours before running out the season with five appearances for Bendigo. Travaglia, the brother of St Kilda’s Tobie, turned out twice.

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS

RECORD: 12th Overall | 7th | 4-11 | 65.8%
STREAK: LLLL | WWW | LLLLL | W | LL
WILDCARD: def. by Dandenong Stingrays 4.3 (27) to 7.9 (51)

THE STORY:

Murray’s campaign was shaped by two definitive losing streaks of four and five games, either side of three consecutive wins. The Bushrangers had a talented team on paper when at full strength, with Allies and Vic Country representatives featuring throughout the spine. Unfortunately, many of them were unavailable at different points through injury, National Championships, and school football commitments. It meant Murray struggled to stay competitive at times, particularly after the halfway point.

THE HIGHLIGHT:

The Bushies’ run of three-straight wins was undoubtedly the highlight of their season. They got on the board by beating the Northern Territory in Round 5, going on to down Tasmania and Western. Crucially, Murray went on to beat the Jets a second time in Round 16 to effectively avoid the wooden spoon. Along with that result, the Bushrangers’ highest score of the season came against the Jets with 12.13 (85) in Round 9. Their effort of 12.10 (82) against the NT closely followed.

THE STAR:

Harry Dean
Key Defender | 193cm | 13/11/2007

Season Averages [8 games]: 17.4 disposals, 7.1 marks, 3.4 rebound 50s

Dean is comfortably the Bushrangers’ leading prospect and has rocketed into top 10 calculations on the back of a terrific campaign. The marking machine has benefitted from his time learning off current Carlton-listed players like Nic Newman, who he is set to join in navy blue via father-son rules. Dean’s toughness, reading of the play, and aerial ability are hallmarks of his game which helped earn All-Australian selection – a fair feat given he missed most of his bottom-age season through injury.

THE MAINSTAYS:

Only Cody Gardiner and Flynn Grumley played every possible game for Murray this season as top-agers, with the former being a particularly consistent contributor. Gardiner, a small midfielder, averaged 19.5 disposals and 6.3 tackles per his 16 appearances to be named among the best 10 times.

Fellow onballer Ryder Corrigan showcased his power and aggression across 12 games while also representing the Allies. Key defender Harry Moon and over-age ruck Zac Harding were also key figures in the side as Vic Country representatives this year. Both turned out for 11 games.

Also in the over-age category, sharp stepper Coen Ainsworth formed a key part of the midfield group. The Bushrangers would perhaps have liked to see more of Riley Onley, who only played two games, along with Allies representatives Harrison Wilson (four games) and Liam Hetherton (three).

Onley and Wilson both spent much of the year at representative and school level, while Hetherton was sorely missed via injury. The mobile key forward booted 11 goals in his three appearances. Giants Academy prospect Tallis McMillan came in for a late-season cameo, mostly as tall support up forward.

THE FUTURE:

Undoubtedly Murray’s top prospect for next year is Tanner Armstrong. The fiercely competitive small utility averaged an even 25 disposals across his six Coates Talent League games this year having debuted in 2024. He also represented Vic Country and is tied to Richmond’s Next Generation Academy.

The Bushies had two bottom-agers play every game this season in Jackson Hewitt and Josh Porter. Powerhouse forward Blake Newton fell one short of that mark but comfortably topped the side’s goalkicking charts with 20 majors, including a high of five against Northern in Round 17.

Newton was one of four Bushrangers to feature in the clash between the Vic Country and NSW-ACT Futures. Tall forward Angus Williams joined him in a Big V jumper, while ruckman Izack Daley and midfielder Zac Lambert represented the Rams in a unique quirk for the expansive region.

A pair of Under 16 prospects also look to be developing nicely in midfielders Oliver Boddenberg and Lincoln Brand. Both were part of the Vic Country squad at this year’s National Development Championships and went on to crack into Murray’s Under 18 side for several games each.

TASMANIA DEVILS

RECORD: 11th Overall | 6th Country | 4-8 | 79.1%
STREAK: LL | W | L | WW | LL | W | LLL
WILDCARD: def. by GWV Rebels 7.9 (51) to 16.13 (109)

THE STORY:

Tasmania undertook a condensed fixture this year, playing only 12 home-and-away games – down from the usual 15. The Devils started on the back foot with losses in their first two games but recovered nicely to sit at an even 3-3 ledger after Round 7. What followed was five losses in their next six outings en route to a second consecutive Wildcard Round exit at the hands of Greater Western Victoria.

THE HIGHLIGHT:

While they struggled to match it with some quality sides in the final few rounds, the Devils produced a couple of big wins which hold up well in the context of the season. They knocked off triple-reigning premier Sandringham by 28 points in Round 12, having also beaten fellow quarter finalist Geelong back in Round 7. The latter victory capped off a run of three wins in four games to put Tasmania back on track.

THE STAR:

Jack Miller
Forward | 181cm | 13/04/2007

Season Averages [12 games]: 14.0 disposals, 3.7 marks, 3.1 inside 50s, 1.7 goals

While a relatively even top-age group made it difficult to select one standout, we’ve gone for the Devils’ leading goalkicker in Miller. Identified as one to watch by coach Jeromey Webberley coming into the year, the 181cm forward delivered. He booted back-to-back hauls of five and four goals for a total tally of 20. He also had a day out in Wildcard Round, picking up a personal-best 29 disposals and nine marks to see out the season. His feats earned Allies selection and an invite to the state draft combine next month.

THE MAINSTAYS:

Along with Miller and fellow top-ager Ethan Bonde, captain Rylee McHenry played a team-high of 12 games this season. The dogged and competitive midfielder led from the front, averaging 21.3 disposals and 5.8 tackles per game, including highs of 36 and 11 respectively.

Devil of the Year Avery Thomas was the only Tasmanian invited to the National Draft Combine. A powerful athletic defender who can lock down or intercept, he forced his way into the Allies side and has become a potential top 40 talent. He played nine games before having his year cut short through injury.

Midfielder Lucas Wootton earned the team’s Most Consistent Player award, going on to represent the Allies along with Thomas, strong-marking utility Toby Callow, and National Academy member Jasper Hay. Defender Max Roney was the best of the over-age bunch, also spending plenty of time in midfield.

THE FUTURE:

Wingman Jacob Stretton took out the Devils’ Rising Star award this year having played several roles across his 10 games. Meanwhile, key position swingman Charlie Bovill and hard-running outside player Hugh McCallum have been called up for the National Futures match on AFL Grand Final day.

North Melboune fans will have a keen eye on defensive distributor Archie Devine, who played 12 games this year. Wingman/forward Miller Young also featured prominently throughout the season, while Ryder Bugg looks like one who could take the next step once he enters his top-age campaign.

Talls like Henry Chapman and Ewan Dillon are also sure to come on nicely with some extra development. Meanwhile, an exciting Under 16 crop is led by All-Australian captain Max Gulliver and Sam Husband. Both are powerful midfielder who love to attack and debuted for the Devils late in the year.