NAB League: Power, Stingrays, Devils, Falcons, Bushrangers among teams in hunt for title
As the race for the NAB League finals heats up, we take a look at the title candidates, including their key players, strengths and weaknesses and, most importantly, where they will end up.
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With just five rounds remaining, the race for a place in the NAB League finals is heating up - and you can catch all the action live with KommunityTV.
Here’s our team-by-team breakdown for the finals contenders, including key players, strengths and weaknesses and, most importantly, where we reckon each team will finish.
1. Gippsland Power
Record: 8-0
Run home: Oakleigh, Tasmania, Northern, GWV Rebels, Dandenong
Key players: Bailey Humphrey, Max Walton
Humphrey has been one of the Power’s most damaging players throughout the season, averaging 20 disposals and just under two goals a game. In defence, Walton has put up some big numbers including 30 disposals against the Dragons in round 11.
Prediction: As it stands, the Power are the premiership favourite. The final game of the season against the Stingrays under lights on a Friday night shapes as a beauty and potentially a grand final preview. It’s hard to see them losing top spot from here. The club is chasing its first premiership since 2005.
2. Dandenong Stingrays
Record: 7-2
Run home: Murray, Eastern, Bye, Bendigo, Gippsland
Key players: Taj Campbell-Farrell, Ziggy Toledo
Campbell-Farrell is a ball magnet and more responsibility will fall on his shoulders with Jai Culley having found himself an AFL home at West Coast via the Mid Season Draft. He is averaging 29.6 disposals this season. Toledo has played just three NAB League games this season but has been devastating when he’s been available, with seven goals.
Prediction: There could be different looking Stingrays sides each week depending on the impact of school footy. But if players, including those mentioned above, can keep producing their best, anything could be possible. They should lock in a top four finish across the remaining games.
3. Tasmania Devils
Record: 7-3
Run home: Bye, Gippsland, Calder, Northern, Bye
Key players: Lachlan Cowan, Seth Campbell
Cowan has taken his game to another level this season with more midfield minutes and is averaging 28 disposals. Campbell, meanwhile, is a huge threat inside 50, he had a monster game earlier in the season with 32 disposals and six goals against the NT Thunder.
Prediction: With just three games left, the Devils need to make the most of every opportunity. The clash with Gippsland will show just where they sit in the premiership race, but they will go in as favourites in the other two games.
4. Geelong Falcons
Record: 6-2-1
Run home: Bendigo, Sandringham, Western, Bye, GWV Rebels
Key players: Ted Clohesy, Oliver Northam
Clohesy has been very consistent when it comes to finding the footy, averaging 23 disposals for the season. Meanwhile, young developing tall Northam shapes as a game winner with his ability to find the footy.
Prediction: With the Falcons’ remaining games to come against sides below them on the ladder, you’d expect them to be confident of locking in a double chance. Player availability could be the biggest challenge.
5. Murray Bushrangers
Record: 6-3
Run home: Dandenong, Oakleigh, Bye, Calder, Bendigo
Key players: Noah Bradshaw, Nicholas Quigg
The son of Brisbane great, Daniel, is enjoying a standout season after returning to the program as a 19-year-old. He hasn’t dropped below 20 disposals since the opening game of the year. Quigg has also consistently put up big disposal numbers with more opportunity. The pair’s form will have a big say in how far their side goes.
Prediction: The Bushrangers next two games will go a long way to deciding where they finishing the home and away season on the ladder. If they can split their remaining four games 2-2 they should still be in a strong position.
6. Oakleigh Chargers
Record: 6-3
Run home: Gippsland, Murray, Bye, Western, Sandringham
Key players: Braden Andrews, Kynan Brown
After coming into the side in round 7 against Tasmania, Brown hasn’t looked back, getting better with every game and has shown he can consistently hit the scoreboard. Andrews is an over-age talent who his younger teammates will look upon if big name absences continue.
Prediction: The Chargers still find themselves in the hunt for a double chance but face one of the tougher runs home. In their final four games, they’ll play three sides still in the top eight. If they’re able to pinch a couple of those, especially against Gippsland, then the sky's the limit.
7. Sandringham Dragons
Record: 5-4
Run home: GWV Rebels, Geelong, Bye, Eastern, Oakleigh
Key players: Will Ashcroft, Harry Sheezel
Ashcroft and Sheezel are both names we’re going to be hearing a lot more in the future, with the pair looking set to be AFL bound at the end of the year. Both are capable of racking up big numbers — see Ashcroft’s 51 disposals in June. Sheezel is also a proven goalkicker.
Prediction: If they play finals footy, the Dragons look likely to lock down one of the positions in the bottom half of the eight. With three games to come against finals-bound sides and Eastern, who sits ninth, every game looms as a big one for Sandy. Momentum could be the key.
8. GWV Rebels
Record: 5-3
Run home: Sandringham, Western, Eastern, Gippsland, Geelong
Key players: Charlie Molan, Hugh Bond
Molan is also on Williamstown’s VFL list, so it remains to be seen just how much of him we will see at this level for the rest of the year. Meanwhile, Bond is a tackling machine having recorded three games with a double figure stat.
Prediction: The Rebels destiny in 2022 is well and truly in their own hands. If they’re able to win the next three, especially those against Sandringham and Eastern who they are sandwiched between on the ladder, they’ll go a long way to locking away finals footy.
9. Eastern Ranges
Record: 4-4
Run home: Western, Dandenong, GWV Rebels, Sandringham, Calder
Key players: Cody Anderson, Kai Windsor
Healesville product Anderson only debuted two games ago but is already showing plenty of promise - and you’d expect him to get more opportunities in the back end of the season. Windsor is currently on Vic Metro duties but has been sensational throughout the season and his return will be a massive boost for this side.
Prediction: It appears as if Eastern Ranges faces an uphill battle to make finals, but anything is possible. They’ll face three teams above them on the ladder in the run in but they’d need to beat them come September if they want their season to continue anyway.
10. Calder Cannons
Record: 3-6
Run home: Northern, Bye, Tasmania, Murray, Eastern
Key players: Paul Pascu, Dane Whitnall
Pascu is the club’s only Vic Metro representative this season after enjoying a standout start to the season. He is a classy mover with ball in hand and can impact the game on the scoreboard. Whitnall, the son of Carlton champion Lance, has been starting to show signs of his best as an over-age talent.
Prediction: It appears unlikely that the Cannons will play finals footy this year, but they’ll be keen to play a role as finals shapers. They could turn the season on its head with teams above them on the ladder to come.
11. Western Jets
Record: 2-6
Run home: Eastern, GWV Rebels, Geelong, Oakleigh, Northern
Key players: Jaelen Pavlidis, Jovan Petric
Pavlidis has been in consistent form throughout the season and could potentially earn more VFL opportunities in the back half of the season. Petric could play a key role in the Jets’ bid to win more games this season as well after excelling in front of goal.
Prediction: It’s all about pride for the Jets now as they aim to cause a few upsets to close out the season.
12. Bendigo Pioneers
Record: 1-7-1
Run home: Geelong, Northern, Bye, Dandenong, Murray
Key players: Jason Gilbee, Harley Reid
Whenever he has been available at the level, Gilbee has been a consistent threat inside forward 50 with six goals in as many games. Reid is a player to watch ahead of the 2023 Draft with his versatility often on show for the Pioneers.
Prediction: The Pioneers have been unlucky in some games this season and have often shown their best is good enough. It wouldn’t be a shock if they picked up a couple of more wins.
13. Northern Knights
Record: 1-7
Run home: Calder, Bendigo, Gippsland, Tasmania, Western
Key players: Patrick Dozzi, Nate Caddy
Dozzi has been one of the shining lights for the Knights in what has been a difficult season. Meanwhile, Caddy is a player who has grown with more opportunities and continues to hit the scoreboard.
Prediction: Here’s hoping the Knights can find some of their best footy in the last few weeks and end the season on a high.
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