A review of Round 3 in the Coates Talent League Boys competition, which included several see-sawing contests across the Easter weekend.

The Easter weekend action commenced on Thursday, with Murray Bushrangers securing their first win of the 2023 campaign with a runaway triumph over GWS Giants Academy at Lavington Sports Ground. After a fadeout defeat to Northern Knights the week prior, the Bushrangers ensured no repeat this time around, extending their advantage at every break. Oscar Ryan had the ball on a string and finished with a game-high 35 disposals, while Darcy Wilson was equally dominant with 23 disposals and three goals. Jack Glanvill continued his strong form for the Giants, finishing with 26 touches.

GWV Rebels and Geelong Falcons played out a thriller at C.E. Brown Reserve on Thursday night, with the Rebels prevailing by seven points to maintain their unbeaten start to the season. The result continued a string of close victories for the Rebels, who have won their three games this year by a combined total of 27 points. The home side looked set for a commanding win when they raced to a 20-point advantage at quarter time, however the Falcons fought back with three unanswered goals in the second term. The second half was an arm-wrestle, with GWV securing the win courtesy of a goal to Alex Molan at the 22-minute mark of the final term. Sam Lalor was in good form for the victors, while Ollie Hannaford (21 disposals, two goals), George Stevens (29 disposals) and Luamon Lual also impressed. The Falcons’ best were Angus Hastie (25 disposals) and Ethan Borys.

Nick Watson produced a dominant display to help steer the Eastern Ranges to a six-goal victory over Northern Knights at Box Hill City Oval on Good Friday. Watson kicked 2.3 from 34 disposals and registered eight inside-50 entries. Riley Weatherill and Clay Tucker also impressed as the Ranges extended their lead at every break to bank their second win in succession. Nate Caddy kicked a game-high three goals for the Knights, while Jude Georgievski and Kristian Ferronato also toiled hard.

Dandenong Stingrays scored an impressive 27-point win over Gippsland Power at Morwell Recreation Reserve. Ziggy Toledo had a major hand in the win, slotting six goals for the Stingrays. Cooper Simpson picked up 28 possessions, while Billy Wilson and Sam Frangalas were also instrumental for the victors. Sebastian Amoroso finished with 31 disposals and nine inside-50s for the Power, while Patrick Ireland provided drive off the backline and had a game-high seven rebound-50s.

Calder Cannons claimed bragging rights against rival Western Jets, securing a 23-point win in a highly entertaining match at Highgate Recreation Reserve. The Cannons looked in control when leading by 32 points at the main break, before the Jets piled on eight of the first ten goals of the second half, including a major to Jovan Petric seven minutes into the final term which handed the visitors a one-point lead. Calder was able to steady and booted the last four goals to claim its second win of the year. Nash King (28 disposals), Hugo Garcia (three goals) and Mahmoud Taha (32 disposals) were influential for the Cannons, while Isaac Nixon, Darcy Weeks and Lucca Grego featured among the best players for the Jets.

Sandringham Dragons moved to the top of the Coates Talent League Boys ladder after beating close foe Oakleigh Chargers under lights at RSEA Park. Trailing by a point at quarter time, the Dragons took hold of the game with three unanswered goals in the second term, before running away with the contest with a four-goal to nil final term. Ryley Sanders (33) and Archie Roberts were prolific ball winners, while William Brown (22 disposals, three goals) also had an outstanding game. Oakleigh was well served by Luke Teal and Finn O’Sullivan, while Noah Yze was the team’s only multiple goal kicker with two majors.

Bendigo Pioneers powered past Tasmania Devils at Arden Street Oval on Saturday, winning by 38 points. The visitors led at quarter time, before the Pioneers piled on seven goals to one in the second term to take 32-point advantage in the main break – a buffer they maintained throughout the second half. Harley Reid was in the thick of the action throughout the day and starred with 25 disposals, two goals and eight inside-50s. James Barrat and Hugh Byrne each kicked three goals for the victors. Tasmania’s best performers included James Leake (23 disposals, six tackles), Jack Callinan (16 disposals, one goal) and Colby McKercher (31 disposals, one goal).

Match replays are available on the Coates Talent League app. Replays are also available at AFL On Demand by Tuesday following each round.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: Marty Brereton of Tasmania is tackled by Lucas Hurse of Bendigo during the round three Coates Talent League Boys match between Bendigo Pioneers and Tasmania Devils at Arden Street Ground on April 08, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/AFL Photos)

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

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS vs GWS GIANTS ACADEMY

Thursday, April 6 at Lavington Sports Ground

Murray Bushrangers 5.0, 8.3, 11.8, 13.10 (88)
GWS Giants Academy 2.2, 2.5, 3.7, 3.9 (27)

Best
Murray Bushrangers: Oscar Ryan, Darcy Wilson, Coby James, Caleb Clemson, Joshua Murphy, Harrison Hewitt
GWS Giants Academy: Jack Glanvill, Taine Moraschi, Patrick Payne, Charlie McCormack, Jackson Savage, Will Kellar

Goals
Murray Bushrangers: Joshua Murphy, Darcy Wilson 3, Joeve Cooper, Phoenix Gothard, Zac Harding, Xavier Laverty, Angus Murray, Cohen Paul, Mitchell Way
GWS Giants Academy: Charlie McCormack, Patrick Payne, Jay Summers

Disposals
Murray Bushrangers: Oscar Ryan (35), Coby James (23), Angus Murray (23), Darcy Wilson (23)
GWS Giants Academy: Jackson Savage (30), Taine Moraschi (28), Jack Glanvill (26)

GWV REBELS vs GEELONG FALCONS

Thursday, April 6 at C.E. Brown Reserve

GWV Rebels 4.3, 4.5, 7.7, 9.8 (62)
Geelong Falcons 1.1, 4.4, 5.9, 7.13 (55)

Best
GWV Rebels: Sam Lalor, Ollie Hannaford, Luamon Lual, Joel Freijah, Alex Molan, Lachlan Charleson
Geelong Falcons: Angus Hastie, Ethan Borys, Michael Rudd, Thomas Anastasopoulos, Patrick Hughes, Joe Pike

Goals
GWV Rebels: Lachlan Charleson, Mac Scoullar 2, Connor Byrne, Joel Freijah, Ethan Mckercher, Alex Molan, Rhys Unwin
Geelong Falcons: Thomas Anastasopoulos 2, Thomas Burke, Jack Henderson, Reef Page, Michael Rudd, Malachi White

Disposals
GWV Rebels: George Stevens (29), Lachlan Charleson (21), Harry Charleson (20)
Geelong Falcons: Angus Hastie (25), Ethan Borys (19), Tobyn Murray (17)

NORTHERN KNIGHTS vs EASTERN RANGES

Friday, April 7 at Box Hill City Oval

Northern Knights 2.1, 4.3, 6.7, 8.8 (56)
Eastern Ranges 2.5, 7.8, 11.10, 13.14 (92)

Best
Northern Knights: Jude Georgievski, Kristian Ferronato, William Tsitsis, Charlie Opie, Nathan Raphael, Jed Wallace
Eastern Ranges: Riley Weatherill, Clay Tucker, Nicholas Watson, Riley White, Cameron Nyko, Jacob Vippond

Goals
Northern Knights: Nate Caddy 3, Jack Chubb, Jesse Dattoli, Archie Franklin, Adam Galgano, Christian Mardini
Eastern Ranges: Liam George, Clay Tucker, Jacob Vippond, Nicholas Watson, Riley Weatherill 2, Cody Anderson, Jordan Hider, Brayden Laplanche

Disposals
Northern Knights: Aleksandr D’Arro (27), Kristian Ferronato (20), Christian Mardini (19)
Eastern Ranges: Nicholas Watson (34), Tyson Sruk (28), Cameron Nyko (27)

GIPPSLAND POWER vs DANDENONG STINGRAYS

Friday, April 7 at Morwell Recreation Reserve

Gippsland Power 1.2, 5.5, 8.6, 10.10 (70)
Dandenong Stingrays 4.3, 7.7, 11.11, 14.13 (97)

Best
Gippsland Power: Sebastian Amoroso, Patrick Ireland, Max Stobie, Lane Ward, Max Donohue, William Brent
Dandenong Stingrays: Billy Wilson, Samuel Frangalas, Ziggy Toledo, Cooper Simpson, Kade De La Rue, Benjamin Hopkins

Goals
Gippsland Power: Asher Eastham 2, Jasper Alger, William Brent, Wil Dawson, Zane Duursma, Joshua Hamilton, Thomas Hanily, Ryan Maric, Lachlan Smith
Dandenong Stingrays: Ziggy Toledo 6, Jacob Grant 3, Kade De La Rue, Harry Demattia, Joziah Nannup, Hudson Rigg, Cooper Simpson

Disposals
Gippsland Power: Sebastian Amoroso (31), Lane Ward (27), Tom Hanily (24)
Dandenong Stingrays: Cooper Simpson (28), Kade De La Rue (24), Samuel Frangalas (22)

CALDER CANNONS vs WESTERN JETS

Friday, April 7 at Highgate Recreation Reserve

Calder Cannons 2.8, 7.12, 9.14, 13.17 (95)
Western Jets 2.2, 3.4, 9.4, 11.6 (72)

Best
Calder Cannons: Nash King, Hugo Garcia, Riley Leedham, Rye Penny, Mahmoud Taha, Elliot Mahoney
Western Jets: Isaac Nixon, Darcy Weeks, Lucca Grego, Joel Freeman, Jake Smith, Rook Barry

Goals
Calder Cannons: Hugo Garcia 3, Damon Hollow, Kade Mueller, Amin Naim, Mahmoud Taha 2, Dante Iacovone, Jayden Nguyen
Western Jets: Lucca Grego, Joel Freeman, Lachie McArthur, Logan Morris, Jovan Petric 2, Alex Tsia

Disposals
Calder Cannons: Mahmoud Taha (32), Nash King (28), Rye Penny (22)
Western Jets: Jake Smith (27), Darcy Weeks (19), Diesel Moloney (18)

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS vs OAKLEIGH CHARGERS

Friday, April 7 at RSEA Park

Sandringham Dragons 2.2, 5.6, 7.7, 11.9 (75)
Oakleigh Chargers 2.3, 2.6, 4.9, 4.13 (37)

Best
Sandringham Dragons: Oliver Murphy, Ryley Sanders, Levi Ashcroft, William Brown, Vigo Visentini, Cooper Lord
Oakleigh Chargers: Luke Teal, Finn O’Sullivan, Oliver Badr, Tom Bower, Jagga Smith, Kane Oppy

Goals
Sandringham Dragons: William Brown 3, Miles Enders 2, Charlton Harrop, Taj Hotton, Tarkyn O’Leary, Timothy Parris, Ryley Sanders, Luke Trainor
Oakleigh Chargers: Noah Yze 2, William LaMotte, William Lorenz

Disposals
Sandringham Dragons: Ryley Sanders (33), Archie Roberts (30), Joshua Docking (25)
Oakleigh Chargers: Jagga Smith (25), Will Lorenz (21), Finn O’Sullivan (21)

BENDIGO PIONEERS vs TASMANIA DEVILS

Saturday, April 8 at Arden Street Oval

Bendigo Pioneers 1.4, 8.8, 11.11, 14.13 (97)
Tasmania Devils 2.5, 3.6, 5.10, 8.11 (59)

Best
Bendigo Pioneers: Harley Reid, William Burke, Hugh Byrne, Tom Evans, Archer Day-Wicks, Oliver Poole
Tasmania Devils: James Leake, Jack Callinan, Marty Brereton, Geordie Payne, Lenny Douglas, Fletcher Richards

Goals
Bendigo Pioneers: James Barrat, Hugh Byrne 3, Archer Day-Wicks, Harley Reid 2, Elijah Brown, Malik Gordon, Jobe Shanahan, Oskar Smartt
Tasmania Devils: Tom Beaumont 3, Jack Callinan, Lenny Douglas, Colby McKercher, Heath Ollington, Fletcher Richards

Disposals
Bendigo Pioneers: Harley Reid (25), Tom Evans (22), Bailey Cain (21), Archer Day-Wicks (21)
Tasmania Devils: Colby McKercher (31), James Leake (23), Beau Nash (19), Mitchell Nicholas (19)

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.