THE PENULTIMATE home-and-away round of the Coates Talent League season gets underway on Saturday when the Oakleigh Chargers host Tasmania Devils at Warrawee Park. The Chargers could move to an even ledger, while the Devils will hope to turn around a string of close losses.

WHEN: Saturday August 16, 10:30am
WHERE: Warrawee Park, Oakleigh
WATCH: Coates Talent League app

IN A SENTENCE:

Oakleigh Chargers host a Tasmania Devils side which will be desperate for a win, having lost four of their last five games, while hoping to return to an even win-loss ledger themselves.

WHERE THEY SIT:

Oakleigh Chargers – 6-7 | 98.5% | WLLWW
Tasmania Devils – 4-7 | 86.8% | LLWLL

TEAMS:

Oakleigh Chargers

3. Jai Saxena
4. Jack Ison
5. Sam Grlj
6. Flynn Woolhouse
9. Aaron Sharkie
10. Doug Kerr
13. Henry Dixon
14. Max Kondogiannis
16. Flynn McNamara
17. Kai Stewart
20. Archie Fogarty
29. Charlie Whitehead
32. Riley Hilton
34. Mingara Clark
36. Hunter Holmes
44. Archie Dollman
45. Jack Graham
48. Will Johnson
60. Jamil Secka
62. Jeremy Newsome
64. Josh Shepherd
71. Reeve Evans

Tasmania Devils

2. Miller Young
4. Jack Miller
5. Jack Gilligan
9. Toby Callow
10. Oliver Dean
11. Sam Husband
12. Rylee McHenry
13. Max Gulliver
15. Archie Devine
16. Benjamin Barwick
20. Max Roney
21. Ethan Bonde
22. Hugh McCallum
23. Ewan Dillon
24. Khalen Matthews
25. Charlie Bovill
28. Avery Thomas
30. Anthony Volta
31. Blake Philpott
35. Lachlan Davey
40. Henry Chapman
42. Jade Clark
43. Tom Prokopiec

ONES TO WATCH:

Oakleigh is the Coates Talent League region with the single most draft combine invitees, and six of them will be available to take on the Devils. Speedster Sam Grlj is the best of the lot, and fresh off his VFL debut with Richmond will be keen to continue his impressive run of outings.

He’ll likely line up in midfield alongside running machine Hunter Holmes, the brother of Geelong star Max, though has thrived off half-back at senior level. State combine bolter Archie Dollman is also a good chance to ply his trade on-ball, looking to further push his way up draft boards.

Carlton fans will be eager to get a glimpse of Next-Generation Academy prospect Jack Ison, a versatile and athletic forward who represented Vic Metro. At the other end of the ground, watch for Max Kondogiannis to intercept prolifically, while combining with Aaron Sharkie on the rebound.

Tasmania will be without a couple of key players, but rising defender Avery Thomas is sure to provide solidity behind the ball. Goalsneak Jack Miller offers a threat up forward, able to work up the ground while utilising his skill and smarts in front of the big sticks. He’s a state combine invitee.

The Devils are also set to unleash midfielder Max Gulliver into the Under 18 side, fresh off being named Under 16 All-Australian captain. He’ll line up next to fellow All-Australian Sam Husband, with both bringing great power and attacking dare to the game. They’re draft eligible in 2027.

PREDICTION:

Both teams are returning to near full strength as the pointy end of the season approaches, so should put on a good show to open Round 18. Oakleigh’s weight of high quality prospects – as evidenced by the number of Vic Metro representatives and draft combine invitees – should go a long way to deciding this clash. The Devils will compete, but Chargers by 18.

ROUND 18 FIXTURE

Saturday August 16

Oakleigh Chargers vs. Tasmania Devils
10:30am @ Warrawee Park

Gippsland Power vs. Bendigo Pioneers
1:10pm @ Shepley Oval

Sunday August 17

Sandringham Dragons vs. Calder Cannons
10:30am @ Trevor Barker Beach Oval

Northern Knights vs. Western Jets
11:30am @ Preston City Oval

GWV Rebels vs. Dandenong Stingrays
1:10pm @ Mars Stadium

Geelong Falcons vs. Eastern Ranges
2:10pm @ Avalon Airport Oval