THE 2025 Coates Talent League season has officially wrapped, with Eastern Ranges crowned champions after Saturday’s entertaining Grand Final. We recap their season, along with that of runners-up Sandringham Dragons, who fell just short of a fourth consecutive premiership.

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EASTERN RANGES

H&A RECORD: 2nd Overall | 1st Metro | 11-4 | 123.3%
STREAK: W | L | W | LL | WWW | L | WWWWWW

WILDCARD: def. Western Jets 20.14 (134) to 7.3 (45)
QUARTER FINAL: def. Calder Cannons 16.11 (107) to 8.11 (59)
PRELIM FINAL: def. GWV Rebels 17.9 (111) to 9.6 (60)
GRAND FINAL: def. Sandringham Dragons 13.5 (83) to 10.8 (68)

THE STORY:

The Eastern Ranges’ season was defined by their run to the title, winning 10 games on the trot to see out the season. It wasn’t all smooth sailing though, starting the year 2-3 with losses to the Lions and Suns academies. Otherwise, they only went down to fellow Grand Finalist Sandringham (six points) and minor premier Gippsland (three) in a dominant campaign. Eastern cracked the ton seven times, including thrice in four postseason games, and held firm to win six games by a goal or less.

THE HIGHLIGHT:

A premiership should fit nicely into this category. The Ranges broke through for their first flag since 2013, putting three Grand Final defeats since behind them. Their postseason run was nothing short of dominant, winning by an average margin of 51 points in Wildcard Round and beyond. The tightest of those margins was 15 points in the decider, meaning Eastern well and truly had their way with the remaining regions at full strength. It was thoroughly deserved reward for their season.

THE STAR:

Xavier Taylor
Tall Defender | 191cm | 30/01/2007

Season Averages [17 games]: 18.3 disposals, 6.4 marks, 2.8 tackles, 3.4 rebound 50s

The Ranges aren’t short of top-end talent and Taylor may well be the best of them, helping make up a group of five likely first round draftees. A versatile prospect at 191cm, Taylor competes fiercely in the air and follows up with speed at ground level, capable of instantly turning defence into attack. He was a rock down back across 17 games, proving Eastern’s best and most reliable defender. That form also translated to his Vic Metro duties, and he was named best on ground in the Grand Final.

THE MAINSTAYS:

Including Taylor, the Ranges have five national combine invitees who proved integral to their flag success. Lachy Dovaston led the goalkicking with 38 majors, while co-captain Oliver Greeves added pure quality and class in each outing between his school and representative commitments.

Dashing defender Oskar Taylor was called up to the national meet alongside powerful 192cm utility Sullivan Robey, who is being labelled as the biggest draft bolter in a decade. Both are considered first round prospects, with Robey likely to crack into the top 10 selections come November.

Competitive backman Rod Ali attracted midseason draft interest but saw out the season with Eastern. He’ll attend the state combine alongside ruckman and fellow basketball convert Marcus Krasnadamskis and wingman Blake Chambers – the only player to feature in all 19 games this season.

Chambers was a train-on in the Vic Metro squad, as was consistent midfielder-forward Bailey Lloyd. Meanwhile, co-captain Andrew Barker established his place at representative level and played 14 games for the Ranges, helping make up the resolute defensive line which made Eastern so formidable.

Among the mainstays with perhaps less fanfare is midfielder Josiah Landy, whose crash and bash style allowed others to shine. Swingman Thomas Swainston played 16 games this year, while tall forward trio Jamie Gilchrist, Charlie Sizer, and Mitchell Hansen trialled for Vic Metro but missed out on the flag.

THE FUTURE:

Eastern’s bottom-age crop is one of the best in the competition, though only rangy wingman Harrison Chapman earned a call-up to the National Futures program. He played the most games of any 2008-born talent for Eastern this year, turning out 18 times en route to becoming a premiership player.

Chapman was one of five Ranges to also be included in the Vic Metro Under 17 squad. Key role players like defender Mitch Gillan, and midfielders Jordan Knapp and Archie Spencer were also amongst that group, while ruck-forward Jaden Lawrence showed promise throughout the year.

The Ranges should be well stocked in attack and around the square next season, too. There are plenty of wraps on defender William Waller, while Charlie Nash also has potential as an athletic tall forward. Zac Antonellos found form late in the year and booted three goals in the Grand Final. Elsewhere, Max Bartlett and Ryan McConnell had a couple of handy games in front of the big sticks.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS

H&A RECORD: 6th Overall | 3rd Metro | 8-7 | 98.2%
STREAK: WWW | LLL | W | LL | W | L | W | L | WW

WILDCARD: def. Northern Knights 17.8 (110) to 9.3 (57)
QUARTER FINAL: def. Oakleigh Chargers 10.9 (69) to 7.9 (51)
PRELIM FINAL: def. Gippsland Power 11.9 (75) to 9.11 (65)
GRAND FINAL: def. by Eastern Ranges 10.8 (68) to 13.5 (83)

THE STORY:

Sandringham is always a fearsome prospect at full strength and that showed in the bookends of this season. The Dragons started well in the first block, going 3-0 before suffering three defeats on the bounce. It was essentially win-loss from there as Sandy landed on an 8-7 home-and-away record. They surged into the Grand Final on the back of five straight wins, taking a tough road to the decider, but eventually fell short of their fourth consecutive flag in a high-octane match against Eastern.

THE HIGHLIGHT:

The Dragons’ first block of the season was dynamite, and arguably their best run with wins over Eastern and Oakleigh. Though, if we were to pinpoint just one result which stood out, perhaps the Round 13 victory over Calder takes the cake. On the back of consecutive losses, Sandringham trailed at every break having conceded five goals to one in the opening term. The Dragons went on to take the lead halfway through term four and held on to win by a single point away from home.

THE STAR:

Jack Dalton
Midfielder | 177cm | 05/04/2007

Season Averages [9 games]: 27.9 disposals, 5.1 marks, 5.8 tackles, 4.9 inside 50s

Dalton may not have been the mainstay in Sandringham’s side this year, but was just about flawless upon his return from injury. Making his first appearance in Round 10, he hit the ground running with 35 disposals and went on to breach the 30-mark another three times in nine total games. The running machine was equal parts industrious and consistent in each appearance, proving a central part of his side’s barnstorming late-season form. He’ll be attending the National Draft Combine.

THE MAINSTAYS:

Dalton and injured spearhead forward Archie Ludowyke (knee) are the only Dragons to have earned national combine invites. Captain Xavier Bamert and St Kilda NGA prospect Kye Fincher will attend the state combine alongside Rory Wright, who finished the season in fine form with a move to defence.

Only Sacha Levine played all of a possible 19 games for the Dragons this season, forming a key part of the midfield mix. Meanwhile, wingman Phoenix Janover, and defenders Bennett Martin, and Darby Heelis turned out 18 times each to nail down important roles in the side.

Over-age talls Julian Galbally and Sam Buck were also heavily present, with the latter playing some VFL footy alongside speedy small Charlie Rozenes. Crafty forward Ricky Theodoropoulos unfortunately went down with an ACL injury, but Willis Reidy reprised his role with plenty of speed and energy.

THE FUTURE:

Mercurial forward Arki Butler is the Dragons’ standout prospect for next year. He led the side’s goalkicking charts with 28 in 12 games, including two bags of five. He’ll be joined in the National Futures program by rock-solid key defender Tyson Bradley, who made 11 outings this year.

Midfielder Gus Teixeira emerged late in the season with his power and speed. He was part of the Vic Metro Under 17 squad alongside former Dragons Under 16 captain Max Matthews and defender Jasper Noorbergen. Another to keep an eye on is clever forward Jack Surkitt, who was a premiership player last year but missed out on the 2025 Grand Final through injury.