A GOOD Friday of Coates Talent League football awaits, but not before Round 3 gets underway tonight with a pair of fixtures. Another bumper few days of action sees all 13 full-time regions take the field, while the Giants Academy also turn out to make it a seven-game round. We preview each matchup.

Thursday April 6, 5:00pm @ Lavington Sports Ground

LAST TIME OUT

Murray and GWS remain winless in 2023 and come together on Thursday evening having both lost to the Northern Knights by seven points. The Bushrangers did so most recently having given up a 28-point lead in the fourth quarter, while the Giants Academy suffered the season’s heaviest defeat thus far – by 82 points to Bendigo in Round 2. These somewhat local rivals also locked horns in two preseason matches, with the ledger squared at one win apiece.

ONES TO WATCH

GWS looks to be without captain Harvey Thomas for this clash, leaving much of the ball winning responsibility to the likes of Daniel Gauci and Jack Glanvill, who have both been solid across two rounds. It’ll be a funny old game for over-age Giants Academy product Nick Newton, who lines up in the Bushies’ midfield. Murray ruck Josh Tweedale comes in for his first game of the year, versatile tall Connor O’Sullivan has been named at centre half-back. Watch for fellow his National Academy member Darcy Wilson to shine alongside in-form midfielder Coby James.

PREDICTION

Having had one foot in the winners column last time out, Murray will be hungry to break through at the third time of asking. The Giants have looked a little further off the pace in two scrappy outings, so we’ll back the Bushrangers by 21 points.

Thursday April 6, 7:00pm @ CE Brown Reserve

LAST TIME OUT

This is the only clash in Round 3 between two undefeated teams, with both sides running 2-0 after impressive outings. The Falcons have downed strong regions in Dandenong and Oakleigh by over five goals apiece, in slight contrast to the Rebels’ combined winning margin of 20 points. Still, GWV’s remarkable comeback last time out should instil the team with a great deal of confidence to get up in any situation.

ONES TO WATCH

The Rebels have a real crack through midfield and the battle between bottom-ager Sam Lalor and Geelong’s Patrick Hughes promises to be a good watch. Look for Falcons tall Joe Pike to take toll with a potential size advantage in the ruck, while small forward Tom Anastasopoulos has made a wicked start to the season. Rebels backman George Stevens is also coming into his own after two games back from a long-term injury.

PREDICTION

It’s a third-consecutive home game for GWV at a third different venue, perhaps removing some of the home ground advantage. Though the Rebels have shown great fight for their two wins, Geelong has downed a pair of flag fancies and should get the job done. Falcons by 12.

Friday April 7, 12:15pm @ Box Hill City Oval

LAST TIME OUT

Northern enacted one of two miraculous comebacks last week, rolling Murray by seven points having trailed by 28 with 20 minutes left to play. That means the Knights sit pretty at 2-0, while Eastern comes in at 1-1. The Ranges rectified their Round 1 loss by thumping the Suns Academy by 57 points last week, looking like one of the competition’s premier sides.

ONES TO WATCH

A pair of National Academy guns are set to star in either forward line; namely Eastern pocket rocket Nick Watson and high-flying Northern tall Nate Caddy. Knights co-captain and ruck Will Green is the third AFL Academy member afield and should be tested by Eastern over-ager Clay Tucker. The Ranges are stocked well for talls up forward with Riley Weatherill and Brayden LaPlanche, but look to be without big-bodied midfielder Josh Smillie for this clash. In Knights colours, Jesse Dattoli and Charlie Naish have been hard to stop up forward.

PREDICTION

Don’t let the records fool you, Eastern is one of the top contenders for this year’s flag and has already signalled its intentions for 2023. The team-oriented Knights can scrap, but might just fall short of nabbing a third consecutive win here. Ranges by 19.

Friday April 7, 1:00pm @ Morwell Recreation Reserve

LAST TIME OUT

Gippsland is fresh off a bye after its fantastic Round 1 showing, but faces a Dandenong side which built into its first win of the season last week. The Stingrays were perhaps better than their 15-point Round 2 winning margin suggests, but will again be tested by a well drilled fellow country region.

ONES TO WATCH

The Power boast two standout prospects in midfielder Zane Duursma and tall forward Archer Reid, but that’s hardly all they’ve got. The likes of Lachlan Smith, Tom Hanily and Xavier Lindsay make for handy inclusions after missing Round 1, while over-age forward Ryan Maric will look to back up an outstanding first up performance. Dandenong’s power through midfield is evident with Harry De Mattia and Sam Frangalas running through there, though co-captain Cooper Simpson is the side’s centrepiece. He should be back to his best this week.

PREDICTION

It’s always hard to look past Gippsland at home and though touted highly, the Stingrays arguably haven’t hit the heights they’re capable of just yet. The visitors could get the jump with Gippsland coming off a bye, but there’s a lot of class to overcome. Power by 13.

Friday April 7, 2:00pm @ Highgate Recreation Reserve

LAST TIME OUT

Calder hardly lowered its colours last week in a spirited six-point loss to Sandringham, taking the game down to the wire after trailing by 25 points at three quarter time. The Cannons have one win on the board, but Western will be looking for its first points in 2023. The Jets were overrun by Sydney in Round 1, but flew the flag in a 15-point loss to Tasmania after conceding seven of the game’s first eight goals.

ONES TO WATCH

A pair of exciting key forwards line up at either end, with Calder’s Jordan Croft and Western’s Logan Morris sure to spearhead their sides. A couple of bottom-agers also enter the fray for both teams, with Damon Hollow returning for the Cannons while Darcy Weeks slots into the Jets’ midfield for his first game this year. Elsewhere, fellow bottom-ager Isaac Kako looks to be due a big game up forward for Calder.

PREDICTION

Calder trains at Highgate Recreation Reserve and will play its third consecutive game at the venue this week. The home ground advantage should count for plenty here. Neither side has set the scoreboard alight over two rounds, so expect a tight and low-scoring tussle unless one team can break the shackles. Cannons by 5.

Friday April 7, 5:30pm @ RSEA Park

LAST TIME OUT

Sandringham has been just about flawless across two rounds with consecutive wins against a pair of metro counterparts. The Dragons have been made to work for both results though, which went down to the wire. On the other hand, Oakleigh’s impressive opening round win was followed by a disappointing effort last week, which yielded a 39-point loss to Geelong. The Chargers were outdone by a well drilled unit.

ONES TO WATCH

Sandringham has strength across the ground but will be confident in its midfield mix, boasting the likes on in-form ball winner Ryley Sanders, skipper Will Brown and gun bottom-ager Levi Ashcroft. It’s all about the bottom-ager for Oakleigh, with Jagga Smith, Finn O’Sullivan and Tom Gross again looking to carry much of the midfield load. There have been a few finds up forward too, with Harvey Johnston and Miles Enders impressing for Sandy, while Oakleigh’s Billy Hicks has a bit about him.

PREDICTION

It’s very hard to look past Sandringham in this one. The midfield battle will be key and Sandringham’s contrast of seasoned top-agers in there compared to Oakleigh’s bottom-agers may make a difference across four quarters. The Chargers only just hired a new full-time head coach too, so could take time to adjust. Dragons by 23.

Saturday April 8, 1:00pm @ Arden Street Oval

LAST TIME OUT

Bendigo now lays claim to the season’s greatest winning margin having demolished the Giants Academy to the tune of 82 points last week. The Pioneers cannot afford to get ahead of themselves, but should be buzzing on the back of their first win for the year. Tasmania shot out of the blocks in its maiden outing, booting seven of the first eight goals to set up a 15-point win over Western at home.

ONES TO WATCH

Top draft prospect Harley Reid should have his work cut out for him in midfield, with Tasmanian pair Thomas Beaumont and Colby McKercher starting the season with massive performances last week. Tom Evans has been strong support in that rotation for Bendigo, and the inclusion of Malik Gordon looms as a big one. For the Devils, National Academy member Jack Callinan promises to light things up in attack with his high flying style and goal sense.

PREDICTION

These teams meet on neutral ground and should put on a good show. Tasmania will be better for shaking out the cobwebs last week, but we have seen just how much Bendigo is capable of improving week on week. Despite a thumping win last week, the Pios will have their work cut out for them. Devils by 7.