With the Under-18 Championships wrapped up the attention in Victoria turns firmly to the TAC Cup. We’ll be giving you the week-by-week lowdown on what’s happening in the biggest junior competition in the country, and keeping an eye out for the big draft bolters in 2016.
Sandringham Dragons vs Dandenong Stingrays (Saturday 11am – Trevor Barker Beach Oval)
Sandringham held off a spirited Gippsland Power in Round 13, but come up against a much stiffer challenge in the form of the Dandenong Stingrays on Saturday. The two sides sit second and third on the ladder, and face off in what promises to be a fantastic game. Tim Taranto and Hamish Brayshaw both made fantastic returns from VIC Metro duties and will be looking to continue their form for the Dragons, whilst Reuben Hayward has also been putting in some eyecatching displays. For the Stingrays, they’ll be looking to pick up where they left off last week, when they defied the odds to overcome a 40 point deficit at three quarter time to defeat the Chargers. Ruckman Dylan Atkins was one of the heros that day and will look to have another influential game and what is an impressive patch of form. Sam Fowler will also be one looking to build on last week, after the small forward terrorised the Chargers and finished with four goals.
Northern Knights vs Eastern Ranges (Saturday 11:30am – Preston City Oval)
The Knights came close to a stirring victory of Calder in Round 13 with last quarter surge, but will not be relishing the task ahead against a resurgent Ranges that demolished Western Jets last week. Draft hopeful Luke Bunker had a solid return from the U18 Championships last week for the Knights, but it was the midfield trio of Lachlan Murphy, Matthew Signorello and bottom-ager Marcus Lentini that really stood out. For the Ranges, Dylan Clarke and five-goal hero Jordan Gallucci did their Draft chances no harm with fantastic performances, but it was the continued form of medium forward Josh Begley that caught the eye with 20 touches and four goals.
Murray Bushrangers vs Western Jets (Saturday 1pm – Norm Minns Oval)
The Jets will no doubt want to bounce back after their shellacking from the Eastern Ranges but face a mountain to climb when the travel to face a Bushrangers smarting from their defeat against the Rebels in Round 13. The Bushies are one of the best contested marking teams in the TAC Cup and have a forward line that could prove a handful for the Jets. Key forward Esava Ratugolea has been a real find this year and was solid on his return to action last week with two majors – taking his tally over his last three games to 14. It’s mid-sized forward Lachlan Tiziani that has proved to be their danger man, however, with 18 goals and an average of eight marks over the last four rounds. The Jets welcomed back Draft hopeful Daniel Venables last week, but he will want to put his performance behind him after only managing seven touches. Instead, it was Draft smokey Brodie Romensky who stood out with 36 touches after being moved into the midfield.
Gippsland Power vs Geelong Falcons (Saturday 1:30pm – Morwell Recreation Reserve)
Gippsland host the ladder leaders Geelong on Saturday afternoon, and will be hoping to pile the pressure on the Falcons who had a tough fight on their hands last week at Bendigo. Ben Ainsworth, who was profiled on Footy Prophet last week, will be looking to boost his Draft value in his second game since returning from his duties with VIC Country. Ainsworth was relatively quiet last week against Sandringham with just 18 touches, and will be looking to have more of an impact this week. Bottom-age midfielder Callan McKeon is one player who is showing steady improvement, and could be one to watch. McKeon finished last week with 14 possessions and a kicking efficiency of 75%, and took his tackling average over the last three weeks to nine. For the Falcons, they had to fight in terrible conditions for their win over the Pioneers last week, and no-one fought harder than Jack Blood who finished with 13 tackles. On a day where disposal efficiency was understandably way down, key back Benjamin McNamara stood out with 14 disposals at 85% efficiency.
Oakleigh Chargers vs Bendigo Pioneers (Saturday 1:30pm – Warrawee Park)
The Chargers will be wondering how they lost their game last week after taking a seemingly unassailable lead into the final term against the Bushrangers, whilst Bendigo will be relishing the chance to test their resolve after laying 160 tackles last week against the Falcons. It was midfielder Isaac Miller and small forward Josh Formosa who did the damage with 18 tackles each, and both will hope to bring the heat again. The Pioneers will also hope to have star midfielder Joe Atley back after he was a late withdrawal last week. For the Chargers, they’ll be wanting to bounce back immediately and will be looking to the likes of Patrick Kerr and Josh Daicos to provide the spark. When it comes to players in form, however, there aren’t many more so than bottom-age talent Jack Higgins. The 176cm midfielder has been sensational over the last two rounds, averaging 31 disposals and kicking five goals.
North Ballarat Rebels vs Calder Cannons (Sunday 1pm – Eureka Stadium)
Only four points separate the Rebels and the Cannons on the ladder, and with the chances of a top four finish for either dependent on a strong run home, this could be the game of the round. The Rebels will be going into the game in a buoyant mood after their impressive win over the Bushrangers last week. Hugh McCluggage was the undoubted star in that win after gathering 36 disposals and booting three majors, and has all but confirmed himself as one the first names to be called on Draft night. James Gow also kept up his strong run of form and will surely be getting the attention of recruiters in higher leagues. For Calder, they will be looking for an improved performance after a narrow win over the Knights last week. 18-year-old top-ager Ben Ronke has been the man in form for the Cannons, being named as their best over the last two rounds.