THE COATES Talent League returns to a six-game set of fixtures in Round 14, as Vic Metro representatives begin to filter back into their regions. Although, with many being rested and Vic Country taking on the Allies, there are opportunities aplenty for fresh faces to impress. We preview Saturday’s four games.

Saturday July 6, 11:30am @ Preston City Oval

IN A NUTSHELL

Northern Knights host Sandringham Dragons to open Round 14 at Preston City Oval, hoping to snap their four-game losing run. Meanwhile, the reigning premiers have won their last three games – albeit all by 11 points or less – and could jump back into top spot if other results go their way.

RECORDS

Northern Knights – 10th | 4-6 | 101.6%
Sandringham Dragons – 3rd | 7-3 | 134.2%

ONES TO WATCH

Northern will not call upon its trio of Vic Metro representatives, though squad member Gabriel Stumpf leads the line up forward. Watch for 2025 Carlton NGA prospect Tyson Gresham to provide some energy at his feet, while Lucas McInerney will hope to return to form on the wing.

With an embarrassment of riches, Sandringham has included a handful of its Vic Metro contingent. Key forwards Harry Armstrong and Archie Ludowyke will again team up, while rising St Kilda NGA hopeful Lennox Hofmann takes his place at the other end of the field.

Structurally, midfielder-forward Joshua Dolan is a very handy inclusion and captain Brodie Findlay will be keen to impress in the ruck. Watch for bottom-age prospects Jack Dalton and Xavier Bamert to also step up with their class and running capacity respectively.

PREDICTION

These sides are yet to meet in 2024 but their records speak for themselves. With Northern missing arguably its best three players, Sandringham’s depth and key position strength should prove too much to handle in this all-Metro encounter. Dragons by 24.

Saturday July 6, 12:30pm @ Highgate Recreation Reserve

IN A NUTSHELL

Tasmania Devils can reclaim top spot with an eighth consecutive win when they face Gippsland Power on neutral ground. The Devils have firmly put a 0-3 start to the season behind them and will be fresh after a fortnight off. Meanwhile, the Power had their three-game win streak broken last time out and will hope to keep touch with the top four.

RECORDS

Gippsland Power – 5th | 6-3 | 95.3%
Tasmania Devils – 2nd | 7-3 | 137.1%

ONES TO WATCH

Both sides will be without much of the representative contingent – for the Allies and Vic Country respectively. Although, star 2025 prospect Willem Duursma has been named in Gippsland’s midfield. Look out for 203cm over-age ruck Lewis Robbins, who is set to debut for the Power.

Tasmania will be buoyed by Oliver Dean‘s availability, with the ruck named as an emergency in the Allies’ side. One to watch in terms of form is midfielder Dominic Pitt, who is set to partner co-captain Connor Ling and over-ager Oscar Van Dam in a resolute on-ball brigade.

PREDICTION

Tasmania has proven to be up for it both home and away this season, so should have no issue travelling to Craigieburn for this match. Gippsland’s depth was stretched last week and it showed in a heavy defeat, which is where Tassie has typically been strong. Devils by 15.

Saturday July 6, 1:00pm @ Shepley Oval

IN A NUTSHELL

After a draw and Round 12’s one-point win, Dandenong Stingrays return to Shepley Oval looking to extend their four-game unbeaten run. On the other hand, Murray Bushrangers have lost in their last two outings and at 5-4, will hope to maintain their positive record in a mid-table eight-pointer.

RECORDS

Dandenong Stingrays – 6th | 5-3-1 | 107.4%
Murray Bushrangers – 7th | 5-4 | 110.2%

ONES TO WATCH

Murray has representatives in both the Allies and Vic Country squads this weekend, but Ben Kennedy and Cohen Paul are available out of the respective sides. Elsewhere, look for Zac Harding to impose himself in the ruck, and bottom-ager Harrison Wilson to get his chance on the wing.

Starting Dandenong ruck Jordan Doherty has been called up for Vic Country, leaving bottom-ager Tairon Ah-Mu to shoulder those duties. Fellow 2025 prospect Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves is another quality prospect to watch on the wing, and Charlie Orchard has been in good form down back.

PREDICTION

If Dandenong’s season record at Saturday’s venue is anything to go by, this will be a tight game. Form is on the home team’s side, though both squads look quite different to how they would shape up at full strength. There isn’t much to split them, Stingrays by 3.

Saturday July 6, 1:00pm @ Trevor Barker Beach Oval

IN A NUTSHELL

After picking up just their second win of the season last time out, Oakleigh Chargers will be out to back it up strongly against Eastern Ranges. The latter side has lost its last two matches, but took out the Round 1 meeting against Oakleigh by 28 points – albeit with much different squads.

RECORDS

Oakleigh Chargers – 13th | 2-9 | 64.2%
Eastern Ranges – 8th | 5-5 | 96.4%

ONES TO WATCH

Oakleigh looks solid through the spine, with ruck Boston Dowling named for his first game since Round 2. Vic Metro representatives Lucas Tovey (defence) and Louis Emmett (ruck/forward) are other quality talls along with linkman Charlie Richardson. Midfielder Zane Cochrane has also been in ripping form.

Eastern will be buoyed by the return of star onballer Josh Smillie, who should form a formidable partnership with bottom-ager Oliver Greeves. The Ranges’ bookends are also promising in the form of tall defender Riley White and over-age key forward Remy MacLean

PREDICTION

Form suggests Oakleigh is better placed to get up in this game, with both sides missing a host of big names. Eastern is always quite well drilled though and will be hard to look past, despite the Chargers arguably boasting an equal spread of talent. Ranges by 13.

SUNDAY FIXTURES

Bendigo Pioneers vs. GWV Rebels
11:00am @ Mildura Sporting Precinct

Geelong Falcons vs. Western Jets
12:00pm @ Avalon Airport Oval