A review of Round 2 action in the Coates Talent League Boys competition, which was highlighted by amazing comeback wins by the GWV Rebels and Northern Knights.

GWV Rebels pulled off a stunning triumph over Sydney Swans Academy at Marty Busch Recreation Reserve in the opening game of the round. The Rebels looked set to pay for their wastefulness when they trailed by 26 points at the 11-minute mark of the final term. However, after kicking 4.12 with their first 16 scoring shots, they then piled on five goals in the final ten minutes to claim a thrilling four-point win. Oscar Gawith and George Stevens (32 disposals) were instrumental in the win, while Sam Lalor kicked two late goals. Jeromos Mills-Vasas and Joe Harrison were best for the Swans.

Sandringham Dragons held out a fast-finishing Calder Cannons at Highgate Recreation Reserve to improve their record to 2-0. The Dragons led by 31 points late in the third term, but had their buffer cut to just seven midway through the last quarter. Two goals to Miles Enders helped give the Dragons breathing space and they were able to hold on for the win, despite Calder mounting another late challenge. William Brown had a stellar game, while Charlton Harrop and Enders combined for seven goals. Nash King (23 disposals) and Patrick Said impressed for the Cannons.

Bendigo Pioneers opened their account with a big victory over GWS Giants Academy at Queen Elizabeth Oval. The Pioneers did their best work early and took a 12-goal to three advantage into the main break. The second half was much more competitive, however the home side was still able to stretch out its margin across the third and fourth quarters. Bailey Cain, Eli Pearce and Tom Evans (25 disposals, two goals) were leading contributors to the win, while the Giants were well served by Cooper Bell and Charlie McCormack.

Geelong Falcons continued their impressive start to the 2023 season, recording a 39-point win over Oakleigh Chargers at Deakin University. The Falcons led by seven points at half time before breaking the game open in the second half with nine goals to three. Thomas Anastasopoulos played a starring role for the winners, kicking five goals from 18 disposals. Mal White also impressed with 24 touches and two goals. Finn O’Sullivan (25 disposals) and Blake Leidler led from the front for the Chargers.

A six-goal third term steered Dandenong Stingrays to an 18-point win over the Brisbane Lions Academy at Highgate Recreation Reserve. The Stingrays were wayward in the first half, amassing 3.11 to go into the main break level with the Lions despite having five more scoring shots. However, the impressive third term enabled the Stingrays to go into the last quarter with the game well and truly in control. Sam Frangalas (23 disposals, one goal) and Cooper Simpson (20 disposals, one goal) stood out for Dandenong, while Brisbane’s Sam Marshall was the leading possession winner on the ground with 29.

Northern Knights came from 28 points behind early in the final term to secure their second-successive win to start the 2023 campaign. The Knights were staring down the barrel of defeat when Angus Murray kicked truly to give the Murray Bushrangers a near five-goal buffer at Wangaratta Showgrounds. However, the visitors refused to yield and finished with a seven-goal flurry in the last term to win by seven points. Jesse Dattoli was best afield for the Knights with four goals, including three in the final quarter, with great support from Jed Wallace and Charlie Naish. Coby James (22 disposals and Darby Wilson impressed for the Bushrangers.

After a bye in the opening round, Tasmania Devils made a winning start to the season with a 15-point triumph over the Western Jets at Penguin’s Dial Park. The Devils made a blistering start and raced to a 29-point advantage at the first break. That was whittled down to five points at half time, with the second half proving to be an arm wrestle, before the home side was able to kick clear in the final term. Devils captain Tom Beaumont had an evening out, kicking the opening goal 21 seconds into the match before amassing 38 disposals. Marty Brereton and James Leake were also influential, while Jovan Petric (four goals) and Logan Morris (two goals, seven marks) were impactful for the Jets.

Eastern Ranges bounced back from a tight opening round loss to the Sandringham Dragons with an impressive showing against the Gold Coast Suns Academy at Highgate Recreation Reserve. The Ranges gained an early ascendency with a four-goal to one first term and continued their dominance with five unanswered majors in the second quarter. The Suns were able to work their way into the game in the second half and put in a much more competitive display in the third and fourth quarters. Josh Smillie (27 disposals, two goals) excelled for the Ranges, along with Brayden Laplanche (three goals) and Cooper Trembath. The Suns best performers were Nicholas Williams and Jake Rogers.

Match replays are available on the Coates Talent League app and at AFL On Demand.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: Isaac Kako of the Cannons handballs under pressure during the round two Coates Talent League Boys match between Calder Cannons and Sandringham Dragons at Highgate Recreation Reserve on April 01, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos)

Continue below for the results, best players, goal kickers and leading disposal winners.

GWV REBELS vs SYDNEY SWANS ACADEMY

Saturday, April 1 at Marty Busch Recreation Reserve

GWV Rebels 2.4, 4.6, 4.19, 9.12 (66)
Sydney Swans Academy 3.3, 3.4, 7.7, 9.8 (62)

Best
GWV Rebels: Oscar Gawith, George Stevens, Harry Charleson, Luamon Lual, Khy Jess, Mitchell Lloyd
Sydney Swans Academy: Jeromos Mills-Vasas, Joe Harrison, James Lugsdin, Caleb May, Indhi Kirk, Khy Gibbs

Goals
GWV Rebels: Connor Byrne, Sam Lalor 2, Mitchell Lloyd, Jack Ough, Mac Scoullar, Rhys Unwin, Fred Valpied
Sydney Swans Academy: Max Rider 3, Lachlan Cabor, Caiden Cleary, Tye Gander, Indhi Kirk, James Lugsdin, Cooper McClennan

Disposals
GWV Rebels: George Stevens (32), Joel Freijah (23), Luamon Lual (19), Alex Molan (19)
Sydney Swans Academy: Caiden Cleary (23), Indhi Kirk (21), Khy Gibbs (20)

CALDER CANNONS vs SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS

Saturday, April 1 at Highgate Recreation Reserve

Calder Cannons 0.2, 2.6, 4.7, 10.9 (69)
Sandringham Dragons 3.2, 5.3, 8.8, 11.9 (75)

Best
Calder Cannons: Nash King, Patrick Said, Jordan Croft, Hugo Garcia, Rye Penny, Declan Willmore
Sandringham Dragons: William Brown, Miles Enders, Charlton Harrop, Ryley Sanders, Oliver Murphy, Harvey Johnston

Goals
Calder Cannons: Amin Naim 3, Shane Clough, Jordan Croft, Hugo Garcia, Dante Iacovone, Isaac Kako, Thomas Legudi, Patrick Said
Sandringham Dragons: Charlton Harrop 4, Miles Enders 3, William Brown, Harvey Johnston, Justin Krok, Riley Sanders

Disposals
Calder Cannons: Nash King (23), Hugo Garcia (19), Ryan Eyre (18)
Sandringham Dragons: Ryley Sanders (34), Archie Roberts (30), Levi Ashcroft (22), Harvey Johnston (22)

BENDIGO PIONEERS vs GWS GIANTS ACADEMY

Saturday, April 1 at Queen Elizabeth Oval

Bendigo Pioneers 7.2, 12.4, 16.4, 19.10 (124)
GWS Giants Academy 1.1, 3.1, 6.4, 6.6 (42)

Best
Bendigo Pioneers: Bailey Cain, Eli Pearce, Tom Evans, Oliver Poole, Hugh Byrne, Tait Poyser
GWS Giants Academy: Cooper Bell, Charlie McCormack, Digby Blacker, Harvey Thomas, Daniel Gauci

Goals
Bendigo Pioneers: Hugh Byrne, Eli Pearce 3, James Barrat, Elijah Brown, Tom Evans 2, Xavier Carter, Thomas Cox, Lucas Hurse, Oliver Poole, Harley Reid, Jobe Shanahan, Tobie Travaglia
GWS Giants Academy: Charlie McCormack 2, Jack Glanvill, Harvey Odgers, Harvey Thomas, Ben Vardy

Disposals
Bendigo Pioneers: Tom Evans (25), Harley Reid (21), Bailey Cain (19)
GWS Giants Academy: Jack Glanvill (24), Luke Lawrence (20), Taine Moraschi (20)

GEELONG FALCONS vs OAKLEIGH CHARGERS

Saturday, April 1 at Deakin University

Geelong Falcons 2.1, 4.3, 8.6, 13.7 (85)
Oakleigh Chargers 1.1, 3.4, 5.6, 6.10 (46)

Best
Geelong Falcons: Thomas Anastasopoulos, Angus Hastie, Thomas Burke, Xavier Ivisic, Mal White, Ethan Borys
Oakleigh Chargers: Finn O’Sullivan, Blake Leidler, William Pewtress, Luke Teal, Billy Hicks, Boston Dowling

Goals
Geelong Falcons: Thomas Anastasopoulos 5, Mal White, Jack Henderson 2, Xavier Ivisic, Zac McInnes, William McLachlan, Reef Page
Oakleigh Chargers: Kynan Brown, Billy Hicks, Kane Oppy, William Pewtress, Jagga Smith, Noah Yze

Disposals
Geelong Falcons: Mal White (24), Finn Connell (19), Thomas Anastasopoulos (18)
Oakleigh Chargers: Jagga Smith (26), Tom Gross (25), Finn O’Sullivan (25)

DANDENONG vs BRISBANE LIONS ACADEMY

Saturday, April 1 at Highgate Recreation Reserve

Dandenong Stingrays 2.7, 3.11, 9.13, 10.15 (75)
Brisbane Lions Academy 1.2, 4.5, 5.7, 8.9 (57)

Best
Dandenong Stingrays: Samuel Frangalas, Cooper Simpson, Noah Mraz, Harvey Langford, Harry Demattia, Billy Wilson
Brisbane Lions Academy: Bradley McDonald, Jack Manly, Daniel Annable, Billy Richardson, Patrick Snell

Goals
Dandenong Stingrays: Jacob Grant, Hudson Rigg 2, Kade De La Rue, Harry Demattia, Samuel Frangalas, Harvey Langford, Riley Purton, Cooper Simpson
Brisbane Lions Academy: Jake Fazldeen, Tom Fry, Maverick Garaicoa, Tom Gillett, Frasier Lay, Samuel Marshall, Fergus McFadyen, Hunter Moore

Disposals
Dandenong Stingrays: Billy Wilson (24), Samuel Frangalas (23), Harry Demattia (20), Cooper Simpson (20)
Brisbane Lions Academy: Samuel Marshall (29), Joshua Cooper (23), Daniel Annable (20), Jack Manly (20)

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS vs NORTHERN KNIGHTS

Saturday, April 1 at Wangaratta Showgrounds

Murray Bushrangers 3.2, 6.6, 9.6, 12.8 (80)
Northern Knights 0.5, 4.6, 6.8, 13.9 (87)

Best
Murray Bushrangers: Coby James, Darby Wilson, Angus Murray, Conor Willis, Oscar Ryan, Connor O'Sullivan
Northern Knights: Jesse Dattoli, Jed Wallace, Charlie Naish, Nathan Raphael, Flynn Riley, Kristian Ferronato

Goals
Murray Bushrangers: Coby James, Connor O'Sullivan, Mitchell Way 2, Joeve Cooper, Harrison Hewitt, Xavier Laverty, Angus Murray, Nicholas Newton, Darcy Wilson
Northern Knights: Jesse Dattoli 4, Nate Caddy, Adam Galgano 2, Archie Franklin, William Green, Zak Johnson, Nathan Raphael, Flynn Riley

Disposals
Murray Bushrangers: Coby James (22), Oscar Ryan (22), Angus Murray (19)
Northern Knights: Kristian Ferronato (21), Charlie Naish (20), Rohan McKenzie (19)

TASMANIA DEVILS vs WESTERN JETS

Saturday, April 1 at Dial Park

Tasmania Devils 6.3, 7.3, 8.5, 10.10 (70)
Western Jets 1.4, 6.4, 7.6, 8.7 (55)

Best
Tasmania Devils: Tom Beaumont, Marty Brereton, James Leake, Lenny Douglas, Geordie Payne, Jack Callinan
Western Jets: Jovan Petric, Logan Morris, Diesel Moloney, Lucca Grego, William Kliszewski, Benjamin Parker

Goals
Tasmania Devils: Jack Callinan 3, Heath Ollington 2, Thomas Beaumont, Lenny Douglas, William Groom, Connor Ling, Mitchell Nicholas
Western Jets: Jovan Petric 4, Logan Morris 2, Lachie McArthur, Benjamin Parker

Disposals
Tasmania Devils: Tom Beaumont (38), Colby McKercher (31), Beau Nash (26)
Western Jets: Diesel Moloney (33), Jake Smith (22), Jack Kovacevic (21)

EASTERN RANGES vs GOLD COAST SUNS ACADEMY

Saturday, April 2 at Highgate Recreation Reserve

Eastern Ranges 4.4, 9.7, 11.10, 16.10 (106)
Gold Coast Suns Academy 1.1, 1.2, 4.5, 7.7 (49)

Best
Eastern Ranges: Josh Smillie, Brayden Laplanche, Cooper Trembath, Remy Maclean, Joshua Tovey, Cameron Nyko
Gold Coast Suns Academy: Nicholas Williams, Jake Rogers, Leonardo Lombard, Ethan Read, Jed Walter

Goals
Eastern Ranges: Brayden Laplanche 3, Matthew Aldous, Josh Smillie, Riley Weatherill 2, Noah Bourke, Liam George, Remy Maclean, Christian Moraes, Cameron Nyko, Joshua Tovey, Nicholas Watson
Gold Coast Suns Academy: Leonardo Lombard, Jed Walter 2, Beau Addinsall, Jared Eckersley, Joe Kennedy

Disposals
Eastern Ranges: Josh Smillie (27), Nicholas Watson (27), Cameron Nyko (25)
Gold Coast Suns Academy: Jake Rogers (27), Will Graham (24), Jared Eckersley (22)

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.