THE 2025 Coates Talent League season gets underway as Bendigo Pioneers play host to Tasmania Devils in Craigieburn on Saturday. Both sides, sporting plenty of fresh and familiar faces alike, will be itching to get off to a perfect start in the new campaign. We preview their standalone clash.

>> SEASON GUIDE: All you need to know about the 2025 Coates Talent League

NEED TO KNOW

WHEN: Saturday March 29, 10:45pm
WHERE: Highgate Recreation Reserve, Craigieburn
WATCH: Live stream via Coates Talent League app

TEAMS

BENDIGO PIONEERS:

Full squad to be confirmed.

>> PREVIEW: Bendigo Pioneers

TASMANIA DEVILS:

B: #20 M. Roney, #38 M. Brown, #41 I. Smedley
HB: #27 J. Breen, #36 J. Webber, #21 E. Bonde
C: #22 H. McCallum, #11 N. Sulzberger, #16 B. Barwick
HF: #4 J. Miller, #13 O. Depaoli-Kubank, #3 M. Sheehan
F: #31 B. Philpott, #7 J. Hay, #9 T. Callow
FOL: #10 O. Dean, #12 R. McHenry, #19 L. Wootton

INT: #8 J. Bula, #14 W. McMurray, #15 A. Devine, #18 J. Stretton, #28 A. Thomas, #33 K. Peters-Chapman

>> PREVIEW: Tasmania Devils

ONES TO WATCH

Bendigo comes in with three members of the Vic Country summer hub, including star bottom-age midfielder Cody Walker. The son of 202-game former Blue Andrew is tied to Carlton via father-son rules, but has also paved his way through Richmond’s Next Generation Academy program.

He’ll likely feature through the Pioneers’ spine alongside Hunter Wright and Shaun Watson. The former is a leftie considered his region’s best top-age prospect, while the latter will provide some grunt and size on the inside. Watch out for Jaidi Jackson-Leahy, too, after an impressive preseason.

Tasmania also boasts quality in its on-ball group. Over-ager Nathaniel Sulzberger was a great get after his time in Victoria, providing size to counter Watson. Allies hub member Lucas Wootton offers speed and clean skills, while Rylee McHenry is also primed to do the grunt work at stoppages.

Tasmania’s lone National Academy member, Jasper Hay, also has plenty of talent. He has been named at full forward but will likely also ruck alongside Oliver Dean. Small forward Jack Miller is another to monitor around goal having missed most of last year through injury.

WHERE IT’S WON

Neither region is set to be blessed with overwhelming key position depth, but have plenty of speed and skill around the square. Expect a fast pace from the outset with both sides proving tough on the inside, but also willing to take the game on, break lines and put the opposition on the back foot. Whichever team can blow out the cobwebs quickest and feed their forwards best will stand strong.

PREDICTION

Bendigo has historically been a fast starter, winning at least three of its first four games in three of the last four seasons. The nature of the competition means past data matters little, but Tasmania looks at that having dropped its first three games last year. The talent on paper is difficult to split, but the Devils’ emergence of bottom-age talent looks promising. Devils by 15.

REMAINING ROUND 1 FIXTURE

Sunday March 30:

Sandringham Dragons vs. Western Jets
11:30am @ RSEA Park

Dandenong Stingrays vs. Geelong Falcons
12:30pm @ Trevor Barker Beach Oval

Murray Bushrangers vs. Gippsland Power
1:00pm @ Highgate Recreation Reserve

Oakleigh Chargers vs. Calder Cannons
2:00pm @ RSEA Park

Northern Knights vs. Eastern Ranges
3:00pm @ Trevor Barker Beach Oval