2025 Coates Talent League live stream: Gippsland Power v Sandringham Dragons (Boys)
Sandringham’s quest for a fourth straight boys Coates Talent League premiership is alive and well after the Dragons held off a fast finishing Gippsland Power on Saturday. Watch the REPLAY.
Sandringham’s quest for a fourth straight boys Coates Talent League premiership is alive and well after the Dragons held off a fast finishing Gippsland Power in Saturday’s preliminary final.
A four-goal final quarter saw the Power fall just 10 points short an upset, with the 11.9 (75) to 9.11 (65) victory ensuring them a spot in next week’s grand final.
WATCH THE FULL MATCH REPLAY ABOVE
The victory looked all but assured at three-quarter time, with the Dragons booting three goals to two to extend their halftime lead of 15 to 22 points.
But three consecutive goals in red-time of the final quarter gave the Power a late chance to cause an upset.
Zachary O’Keefe (two goals) and Jonah Walker (two) were the most influential inside 50 for Gippsland, while highly touted draft prospect Willem Duursma was well held and kicked just one late in the final quarter.
Xavier Bamert and Rory Wright were both terrific for the victors, with Oliver Griffin the only multiple goal kicker for the Dragons.
PREVIEW
The Gippsland Power are not intimidated by what is to come from the opposition this weekend as it chases history in the Coates Talent League.
The Power’s boys team will take on the Sandringham Dragons in the preliminary final on Saturday, looking to stop the juggernaut side in the competition.
The Power and Dragons match-up will be available live and exclusive on KommunityTV from 11.30am on Saturday.
The Dragons are looking to remain the best team in the competition, chasing a fourth-straight title.
Since Covid the team has been unstoppable, winning in 2022, 2023 and 2024 and producing countless stars into the AFL including Will Ashcroft, Harry Sheezel, Calsher Dear, Archie Roberts and Murphy Reid.
Sandringham would become the first team since 1996 to achieve the feat and would become the most successful region in boys footy with a seventh title, overtaking the Calder Cannons.
The Power will be looking to stop that run and keep its chances of winning a first premiership since 2005 alive.
“We’re just going to back ourselves in and our form of where we are at so far this year,” Power coach Rhett McLennan said.
“Our best footy is good enough against anyone.
“We’ll do a bit of pre-work and scanning stuff against Sandy but it will be about how we can play our best footy.
“We’ll back our method in.
“We’ll be hard at the contest, we’ll be hard to play against (and) our tackle pressure will be high.
“We’ll see if that pressure around the footy they can combat it.”
It promises to be a cracking match with plenty of talent on show.
The Power has potential number one draft pick, Willem Duursma, who kicked two goals in the teams win against the Geelong Falcons last week.
He is capable of playing anywhere and is a major threat to the Dragons.
The Dragons have Jack Dalton and captain Xavier Bamert who are both expected to get attention from AFL clubs and impressed last week over the Oakleigh Chargers in their 18-point win.
McLennan said the key players for his team will need to stand up after having strong seasons.
“Our midfielders have been really good,” he said.
“Brodie Atkins has been super consistent this year and done everything we’ve asked him to do.
“His inside mid craft is exceptional and has been able to win his position at every standard he’s played this year.
“Jack Hilton on the wing has been excellent.
“He understands when to impact and come into the contest and when to hold his width and use it.
“Our backline has been sensational.
“Oliver Wilson coming back from his school footy has been excellent in regards to generalling in the backline.”
“Will Malady is an ace in the pack. If he has a good day (in the forward line) he can take the game off anyone.
“If we can have all those guys playing well then hopefully that equals us winning a preliminary final and getting into a grand final.”
McLennan said a win would validate what the program is doing and how it produces players ready to play in the AFL.
The winner of this match will play either Greater Western Victoria Rebels or Eastern Ranges in the final.
Originally published as 2025 Coates Talent League live stream: Gippsland Power v Sandringham Dragons (Boys)
