Coates Talent League 2025 live stream: Murray Bushrangers v Gippsland Power, Boys Round 1

There was no stopping an electric Gippsland Power as they opened their Coates Talent League season with a resounding victory. Watch the full match REPLAY here.

A fast start has ensured Gippsland’s dominance over the Murray Bushrangers will continue after the Power stretched their winning streak to 11.

The Bushrangers have not beaten their Coates Talent League rivals since 2017 and the disparity between the sides showed early as Gippsland recorded a resounding 13.12 (90) to 6.6 (42) victory.

The round one clash was live streamed exclusively on KommunityTV.

Using the breeze at Highgate Recreation Reserve to their favour, the Power were electric early to skip out to a 27-point lead at the first break.

From there they could not be caught with the likes of skipper Tom Matthews, top prospect Willem Duursma and forward Wil Malady making the Bushrangers pay for mistakes in a comfortable win.

Key forward Liam Hetherton was the Bushrangers’ only multiple goal scorer with three majors.

Gippsland Power were too strong for the Murray Bushrangers in their Coates Talent League opener. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos

PREVIEW

Gippsland Power will not be taking a Murray Bushrangers outfit brimming with talent lightly, despite an overwhelming dominance over their Coates Talent League country rivals.

Two two sides will kick off the new season on Sunday after the Power took down the Bushrangers in last season’s wildcard round final.

But that’s not the only recent victory Gippsland has had in this fixture.

The Power head into the contest on a remarkable 10-match winning streak against the Bushrangers.

Sunday’s clash at Highgate Recreation Reserve will be exclusively live streamed by KommunityTV from 1pm.

Gippsland won both matches last year, including the wildcard contest, and have not been beaten by the opposition since 2017.

“It’s always interesting to tackle Murray,” Power coach Rhett McLennan said.

“We knew they have some good players so we’re going to be up for a good contest.”

McLennan said the focus would be stopping their talls.

Gippsland’s Thomas Matthews celebrates a goal during last year’s wildcard round win over the Murray Bushrangers. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos

The Bushrangers have one of the best tall forward prospects in the state with Liam Hetherton who is expected to be a threat to the Power.

The coach said the focus would be to not let them dictate the contest.

“They are going to pose a big threat to us,” McLennan said.

“Our strength isn’t in our talls. They could expose us with their space.

“We just need to put the pressure on the ball carrier so the footy doesn’t get to (the talls) advantage as easy as it can. That’s where we need to be mindful.”

Gippsland Power rising star Willem Duursma in action for Vic Country. Picture: Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The game could be the first opportunity to see potential top-end draft picks Willem Duursma (Power), Riley Onley (Bushrangers) and father-son prospects in Mitch Stevens (Power) and Harry Dean (Bushrangers).

Stevens, son of former Crow and Kangaroo Mark Stevens, is eligible to go to Adelaide with Dean, son of two-time Carlton premiership player Peter, potentially going to Carlton.

Tune into the boys clash between the Power and the Bushrangers live and exclusive from 1pm Sunday on KommunityTV.