AFTER a three-week break, the Coates Talent League returns this weekend with five fixtures. Four games are scheduled for an action-packed Saturday, and a wave of new under-age talent is set to be unleashed on the competition as the season enters its final stretch.

Saturday July 29, 11:00am @ Highgate Recreation Reserve

IN A SENTENCE

Both Calder and Dandenong will be looking to not only bounce back onto the winners list, but also keep touch with the top bracket of teams when they kick off Round 14 in Craigieburn.

WHERE THEY STAND

Records:
Calder – 4th | 6-3 | 163.5%
Dandenong – 9th | 5-5 | 102.0%

Streak (most recent first):
Calder – LLWWW
Dandenong – LLLWL

ONES TO WATCH

Dandenong has regained its full selection of Vic Country representatives, headlined by co-captain Cooper Simpson. Fellow leader Harry De Mattia will also be one to watch as both midfielders look to boost their draft stocks, while bottom-agers Noah Mraz, Harvey Langford, and Cooper Hynes all show promise.

Calder has also called upon some of its representative stars, with key forward Jordan Croft returning as the Cannons’ attacking centrepiece. Bottom-agers Isaac Kako and Damon Hollow should also offer some flair going forward, while over-ager Rye Penny is back after gaining VFL exposure with Collingwood.

PREDICTION

Coming off a break and with such a high turnover in personnel, previous form counts for little in Round 14. Although, Calder has been relatively steady throughout the season and that shows in the results, while Dandenong has lost four of its last five matches without key players. Regardless, Stingrays by 5.

Saturday July 29, 1:00pm @ Morwell Football Ground

IN A SENTENCE

The Northern Knights can move clear atop the Talent League table with a road win over Gippsland Power on Saturday.

WHERE THEY STAND

Records:
Gippsland – 11th | 4-5 | 90.3%
Northern – 2nd | 8-1 | 140.5%

Streak (most recent first):
Gippsland – LWLWL
Northern – WWWWW

ONES TO WATCH

It’ll be a double Duursma show with Vic Country Under 16 MVP Willem joining elder brother Zane in Gippsland’s 23. The Power also have their allotment of Country Under 18 representatives back, as well as Northern Territory native Ricky Mentha.

Both of Northern’s co-captains – William Green and Christian Mardini – boost the Knights’ tall stocks alongside star man Nate Caddy, whose Parade College teammate Mitchell Moate is among three debutants after a solid Under 16 carnival with Vic Metro.

PREDICTION

Northern is solid across the board and has found a real groove of late, as its six-game winning streak would suggest. On the other hand, Gippsland has the home ground advantage but has been unable to string together an extended run of form this season. Knights by 10.

Saturday July 29, 1:00pm @ Wangaratta Showgrounds

IN A SENTENCE

A heavily bolstered Murray Bushrangers outfit hosts the Eastern Ranges in Wangaratta, looking to shake the title of being the lowest ranked full-time region.

WHERE THEY STAND

Records:
Murray – 13th | 2-8 | 80.0%
Eastern – 8th | 5-4 | 102.5%

Streak (most recent first):
Murray – LLLLL
Eastern – WLLWW

ONES TO WATCH

Along with the star power that Connor O’Sullivan and Darcy Wilson offer, the Bushies have pulled off a coup and welcome title-winning Allies forward Charlie McCormack to the fold. Fellow Giants Academy product Ryder Corrigan is an emergency, while Vic Country Under 16 representative Riley Onley will debut as 23rd man.

Eastern also has a selection of its representative stock returning to the fold, and perhaps wingman Caleb Windsor is the one to watch closest. Outside of that group, bottom-age midfielders Christian Moraes and Cody Anderson will also be out to impress in the absence of some big names.

PREDICTION

Form and overall records would suggest Eastern is in the box seat here, but the two sides are yet to meet this season and the team sheets suggest otherwise. Bushrangers by 7.

Saturday July 29, 2:00pm @ DSV Stadium

IN A SENTENCE

Should other results fall their way, the Sandringham Dragons could snatch top spot with a win over the Western Jets at windy Williamstown.

WHERE THEY STAND

Records:
Western – 10th | 4-6 | 95.1%
Sandringham – 3rd | 8-2 | 125.6%

Streak (most recent first):
Western – LLWWW
Sandringham – WWWWL

ONES TO WATCH

Under 18 All Australian Levi Ashcroft is the main event for Sandringham, joining Vic Metro and Dragons captain Will Brown in midfield with Tarkyn O’Leary on the outside. Ashcroft’s fellow bottom-ager Luke Trainor, a tall defender, has also been named.

From the same age group, Lucca Grego is one of Western’s most promising prospects, while Logan Morris is a talent for the now. Along with all of the above names, Morris recently turned out for Vic Metro and will now look to solidify his draft stocks, with some clubs viewing him as a top 25 player.

PREDICTION

With a good amount of class back in the side and the depth holding up over recent games, Sandringham should have enough firepower to get the job done here. Dragons by 20.

Sunday July 30, 12:00pm @ Reid Oval

IN A SENTENCE

The sole game on Sunday sees GWV and Geelong face off for the second time in 2023, as both sides jostle for ascendancy among the top eight.

WHERE THEY STAND

Records:
GWV – 6th | 6-3 | 113.1%
Geelong – 5th | 6-3 | 130.4%

Streak (most recent first):
GWV – WWLWL
Geelong – WLLWW

ONES TO WATCH

Both teams boast a handful of Vic Country representatives each, though GWV perhaps has the prospects most likely to push into top 30 range. Among them are wingman Joel Freijah, half-back Luamon Lual, and big-bodied midfielder George Stevens.

The Falcons are well stocked through the spine, with ruck Joe Pike bookended by link-up forward Michael Rudd, and key backs Hamish Pierson and Tom Peirce. Don’t forget running defender Angus Hastie either.

PREDICTION

These two sides could hardly be more evenly matched; from their records, to amount of representative stars, and the previous margin of seven points. Though much has changed since their last meeting, GWV should be good enough to do the double. Rebels by 15.