A review of the action from Round 1 of the Coates Talent League Boys season.
The 2023 campaign got underway across the weekend, with the opening round of the season producing many entertaining contests.
The four games played on the opening day of the season were decided by an average margin of just 16 points, creating a gripping start to the campaign.
Northern Knights beat GWS Giants in a thriller in the first game of the year, with the Knights having to overcome a plucky opposition and wayward kicking in front of the goals at Highgate Recreation Reserve. The Knights trailed by five points at the main break, before booting 3.13 to 3.1 in the second half to win by seven points.
Sandringham Dragons and Eastern Ranges also played out a close battle at RSEA Park. The Ranges led by a point at the 17-minute mark of the final term, before late goals to Miles Enders and Calsher Dear helped the Dragons kick off their premiership defence with a victory.
Sydney Swans Academy stormed home to claim victory over Western Jets in the final game of a boys and girls triple header at Highgate Recreation Reserve. The Swans trailed by 19 points early in the final term, before piling on the final six goals of the game to claim a 28-point triumph. It capped a brilliant day for the Swans, whose girls team also saluted earlier in the afternoon.
GWV Rebels scored a hard-fought triumph over Bendigo Pioneers in front of a great crowd at Mars Stadium. The Rebels set up the 16-point win with a five-goal to two opening term and were able to hold sway throughout the day, despite the Pioneers refusing to yield.
Geelong Falcons opened its 2023 account with a win, downing last year’s runner-up Dandenong Stingray at Colac’s Central Reserve. A six-goal second term was instrumental for the Falcons in the 30-point win.
Oakleigh Chargers were the biggest winners of the opening round, accounting for Brisbane Lions Academy by 47 points at Highgate Recreation Reserve on Sunday. The Chargers led by 31 points at the main break and overcame a strong fightback by the Lions in the third term before finishing with five unanswered goals in the last quarter.
Gippsland Power broke away from Murray Bushrangers in the second half to record a 37-point win at Morwell Recreation Reserve. The Power took a seven-point advantage into half time, before piling on 10 goals to five in the second half.
Calder Cannons won a low-scoring affair against Gold Coast Suns Academy in the final game of the opening round. The Cannons led at every change and were able to incrementally stretch their advantage across each quarter to record a 20-point win.
Match replays are available on the Coates Talent League app and at AFL On Demand.
Continue below for the results, best players, goal kickers and leading disposal winners.
NORTHERN KNIGHTS vs GWS GIANTS ACADEMY
Saturday, March 25 at Highgate Recreation Reserve
Northern Knights 0.2, 2.6, 3.16, 5.19 (49)
GWS Giants Academy 2.2, 3.5, 4.5, 6.6 (42)
Best
Northern Knights: Charlie Connell-Tobin, Jack Chubb, Adam Galgano, Zak Johnson, Rohan McKenzie, Jed Wallace
GWS Giants Academy: Bailee Gilbert, Jackson Savage, Harvey Thomas, Logan Smith, Jack Glanvill, Jay Summers
Goals
Northern Knights: Jesse Dattoli, Archie Franklin, Zak Johnson, Charlie Naish, Flynn Riley
GWS Giants Academy: Digby Blacker, Jack Glanvill, Jacob Jones, Charlie McCormack, Patrick Payne, Brodi Williams
Disposals
Northern Knights: Aleksandr D'Arro (25), Kristian Ferronato (22), Zak Johnson (22)
GWS Giants Academy: Daniel Gauci (32), Harvey Thomas (30), Jackson Savage (27)
SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS vs EASTERN RANGES
Saturday, March 25 at RSEA Park
Sandringham Dragons 1.2, 5.5, 8.6, 12.13 (85)
Eastern Ranges 2.6, 4.7, 8.8, 10.11 (71)
Best
Sandringham Dragons: Murphy Reid, Levi Ashcroft, Ned Maginness, Harvey Johnston, Cooper Lord, Billy McGee Galimberti
Eastern Ranges: Josh Smillie, Joshua Tovey, Cooper Trembath, Clay Tucker, Caleb Windsor, Jordan Hider
Goals
Sandringham Dragons: Levi Ashcroft, Miles Enders, Harvey Johnston, Charlie Harrop 2, Calsher Dear, Taj Hotton, Justin Krok, Ryley Sanders
Eastern Ranges: Riley Weatherill 3, Nicholas Watson 2, Matthew Aldous, Jordan Hider, Brayden Laplanche, Christian Moraes, Josh Smillie
Disposals
Sandringham Dragons: Ryley Sanders (28), Levi Ashcroft (24), Will Brown (24)
Eastern Ragnes: Cameron Nyko (28), Tyson Sruk (27), Josh Smillie (26)
WESTERN JETS vs SYDNEY SWANS ACADEMY
Saturday, March 25 at Highgate Recreation Reserve
Western Jets 3.2, 4.3, 9.7, 10.7 (67)
Sydney Swans Academy 2.2, 6.9, 6.11, 13.17 (95)
Best
Western Jets: Daniel Snell, Lucas Impey, Logan Morris, Jake Smith, Lucca Grego, Joshua Goble
Sydney Swans Academy: Tye Gander, Indhi Kirk, Joe Harrison, Caiden Cleary, Ned Hawkins, Nicholas Andreacchio
Goals
Western Jets: Logan Morris 4, Joel Freeman 2, Michael Cilmi, Lachie McArthur, Jovan Petric, Daniel Snell
Sydney Swans Academy: Tye Gander 3, Max Rider, Owen Turner, Mitchell Woods 2, Indhi Kirk, Cooper McClennan, Harrison Podmore-Taylor, Jack Roberts
Disposals
Western Jets: Diesel Moloney (25), Lucca Grego (21), Jack Kovacevic (17), Jake Smith (17)
Sydney Swans Academy: Caiden Cleary (28), Indhi Kirk (28), Lachlan Cabor (21)
GWV REBELS vs BENDIGO PIONEERS
Saturday, March 25 at Mars Stadium
GWV Rebels 5.2, 7.5, 10.9, 11.10 (76)
Bendigo Pioneers 2.0, 6.1, 7.4, 9.6 (60)
Best
GWV Rebels: Alex Molan, Mac Scoullar, Jack Ough, Ollie Hannaford, Ethan Mckercher, Oscar Gawith
Bendigo Pioneers: Tait Poyser, Tobie Travaglia, Bailey Cain, Tom Evans, Harley Reid, Oskar Smart
Goals
GWV Rebels: Ethan McKercher 3, Mac Scoullar, Rhys Unwin 2, Rory Gunsser, Mitchell Lloyd, Alex Molan, Fred Valpied
Bendigo Pioneers: Tom Evans, Harley Reid 2, Elijah Brown, Xavier Carter, Thomas Cox, Oliver Morris, Oliver Poole
Disposals
GWV Rebels: Alex Molan (27), Khy Jess (22), Lachlan Charleson (19), Luamon Lual (19)
Bendigo Pioneers: Harley Reid (21), Bailey Cain (17), Tom Evans (17)
GEELONG FALCONS vs DANDENONG STINGRAYS
Sunday, March 26 at Central Reserve Colac
Geelong Falcons 2.1, 8.4, 10.6, 13.9 (87)
Dandenong Stingrays 1.3, 4.4, 7.7, 8.9 (57)
Best
Geelong Falcons: Thomas Anastasopoulos, Patrick Hughes, Michael Rudd, Thomas Burke, Xavier Ivisic, Mackenzie Butcher
Dandenong Stingrays: Harry Demattia, Samuel Frangalas, Jacob Grant, Billy Wilson, Kade De La Rue, Benjamin Hopkins
Goals
Geelong Falcons: Thomas Anastasopoulos, Michael Rudd 3, Zac McInnes, William McLachlan 2, Patrick Hughes, Xavier Ivisic, Reef Page
Dandenong Stingrays: Harry Demattia 3, Kade De La Rue, Samuel Frangalas, Cooper Hynes, Hudson Rigg, Ziggy Toledo
Disposals
Geelong Falcons: Patrick Hughes (28), Angus Hastie (25), Cooper Hayes (24)
Dandenong Stingrays: Kobe Shipp (28), Matthew Nelson (24), Benjamin Hopkins (22)
OAKLEIGH CHARGERS vs BRISBANE LIONS ACADEMY
Sunday, March 26 at Highgate Recreation Reserve
Oakleigh Chargers 4.3, 8.6, 9.12, 14.17 (101)
Brisbane Lions Academy 1.3, 3.5, 7.7, 7.11 (54)
Best
Oakleigh Chargers: Jagga Smith, Finn O’Sullivan, William Pewtress, Harrison Evans, Billy Hicks, William LaMotte
Brisbane Lions Academy: Bradley McDonald, Samuel Marshall, Jake Fazldeen, Nathan Jensen, Patrick Snell, Jack Manly
Goals
Oakleigh Chargers: William LaMotte 4, Kobe Askew, Jack Iverson 2, Kynan Brown, Kane Emery, Finn O'Sullivan, Jagga Smith, Noah Yze
Brisbane Lions Academy: Frasier Lay 2, Jake Fazldeen, Maverick Garaicoa, Tom Gillett, Jack Manly, Patrick Snell
Disposals
Oakleigh Chargers: Jagga Smith (28), Tom Gross (27), Billy Hicks (26)
Brisbane Lions Academy: Samuel Marshall (30), Joshua Cooper (29), Tom Gillett (23)
MURRAY BUSHRANGERS vs GIPPSLAND POWER
Sunday, March 26 at Morwell Recreation Reserve
Murray Bushrangers 1.1, 3.5, 5.8, 8.9 (57)
Gippsland Power 2.0, 4.6, 10.9, 14.10 (94)
Best
Murray Bushrangers: Darcy Wilson, Conor Willis, Phoenix Gothard, Coby James, Darby Wilson, Oscar Ryan
Gippsland Power: Wil Dawson, Ryan Maric, Patrick Ireland, Tom Stern, Zane Duursma, Sebastiano Amoroso
Goals
Murray Bushrangers: Darcy Wilson 3, Phoenix Gothard 2, Joeve Cooper, Xavier Laverty , Connor O'Sullivan
Gippsland Power: Ryan Maric 4, Asher Eastham, Archer Reid 3, Harrison Canning 2, Zane Duursma, Harry Scott
Disposals
Murray Bushrangers: Darcy Wilson (29), Oscar Ryan (25), Coby James (24)
Gippsland Power: Zane Duursma (24), Ryan Maric (23), Cooper Brown (22), Harry Scott (22), Max Stobie (22), Lane Ward (22)
CALDER CANNONS vs GOLD COAST SUNS ACADEMY
Sunday, March 26 at Highgate Recreation Reserve
Calder Cannons 2.3, 5.5, 7.8, 8.9 (57)
Gold Coast Suns Academy 2.1, 3.2, 4.6, 5.7 (37)
Best
Calder Cannons: Harry O’Farrell, Corey Barbaro, Nash King, Thomas Legudi, Ryan Eyre, Kade Mueller
Gold Coast Suns Academy: Max Hudson, William Graham, Jed Walter, Nicholas Williams, Zeke Uwland, Joshua Zanker-Close
Goals
Calder Cannons: Isaac Kako 2, Shane Clough, Hugo Garcia, Dante Iacovone, Thomas Legudi, Amin Naim, Rye Penny
Gold Coast Suns: Jed Walter 2, Leonardo Lombard, Ethan Read, Harry Sullivan
Disposals
Calder Cannons: Ryan Eyre (25), Charles Bolmat (24), Jayden Nguyen (22), Nash King (22)
Gold Coast Suns: Leonardo Lombard (25), Jared Eckersley (23), Will Graham (23), Finn Hay (23)
Thanks to a partnership between AFL and News Corp, one boys and one girls game will be live streamed on KommunityTV each week. All remaining games will be live streamed on the Coates Talent League app, thanks to Telstra.