A SIX-GAME first round for the Coates Talent League Boys competition, as well as a four-game fixture a week later to open the Talent League Girls’ season was released by the AFL today. Kicking off on the weekend of March 23-24, 12 of the 13 sides will take to the field, while only the eight girls sides will do battle, as the remaining five teams wait another week to commence their 2024 seasons.

The Northern Academies from New South Wales (GWS GIANTS and Sydney Swans), Queensland (Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions) and Northern Territory (NT Academy) will feature early in the seasons, playing a number of games to help determine Allies selection.

On opening day, Northern Knights host Western Jets in Sandringham, while the Dragons will kick off their season against Calder Cannons just down the road at RSEA Park on the same day. North of the city sees Murray Bushrangers lock horns with the travelling Tasmania Devils at Highgate Recreation Reserve.

On Sunday, March 24, Oakleigh Chargers and Eastern Ranges provide the action at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, while Dandenong Stingrays head to Geelong to face the Falcons, while GWV Rebels and Bendigo Pioneers will go at each other from 1pm at Learmonth Reserve. Gippsland Power have the Round 1 bye.

The Talent League Girls competition kicks off with a standalone Easter Thursday clash under lights at GMHBA Stadium as the Geelong Falcons and GWV Rebels step up to the plate. The league does not have a Good Friday match this year, but Calder Cannons and Northern Knights lock horns on Saturday, as do the Sandringham Dragons and Eastern Ranges.

Reigning premiers Oakleigh Chargers head to the Apple Isle for a standalone Easter Sunday clash to take on Tasmania Devils at 12pm. Bendigo Pioneers, Dandenong Stingrays, Gippsland Power, Murray Bushrangers and Western Jets all have the bye first up.

2024 COATES TALENT LEAGUE BOYS – ROUND 1

Saturday, March 23
Northern Knights vs. Western Jets – Trevor Barker Beach Oval, 10:30am
Murray Bushrangers vs. Tasmania Devils – Highgate Recreation Reserve, 12:40pm
Sandringham Dragons vs. Calder Cannons – RSEA Park, 1:00pm
Sunday, March 24
Oakleigh Chargers vs. Eastern Ranges – Trevor Barker Beach Oval, 11:00am
Geelong Falcons vs. Dandenong Stingrays – Deakin University Waurn Ponds, 1:00pm
GWV Rebels vs. Bendigo Pioneers – Learmonth Reserve, 1:00pm
Bye: Gippsland Power

2024 COATES TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS – ROUND 1

Thursday, March 28
Geelong Falcons vs. GWV Rebels – GMHBA Stadium, 5:00pm
Saturday, April 6
Calder Cannons vs. Northern Knights – Highgate Recreation Reserve, 9:30am
Sandringham Dragons vs. Eastern Ranges – RSEA Park, 1:30pm
Sunday, April 7 
Tasmania Devils v Oakleigh Chargers – University of Tasmania Stadium, 12:00pm
Byes: Bendigo Pioneers, Dandenong Stingrays, Gippsland Power, Murray Bushrangers and Western Jets