The AFL has today confirmed the fixtures for the 2023 Coates Talent League Grand Finals across both boys and girls competitions.
GIRLS
Saturday, September 23
Eastern Ranges vs. Oakleigh Chargers
IKON Park, 9:45am AEST
BOYS
Sunday, September 24
Sandringham Dragons vs. Eastern Ranges
IKON Park, 11:15am AEST
The 2023 Coates Talent League Girls Grand Final between the Eastern Ranges and Oakleigh Chargers will be played at IKON Park on Saturday, September 23 from 9:45am. The match will be played ahead of the NAB AFLW Round 4 match between Carlton and Richmond, which commences at 1:05pm.
The Eastern Ranges finished the home-and-away season in first place on the Coates Talent League Girls ladder before progressing to the premiership decider with finals wins over the Northern Knights and Geelong Falcons.
The Oakleigh Chargers finished in second spot and advanced to Saturday’s Grand Final with finals victories over the Calder Cannons and Dandenong Stingrays.
The Ranges will be chasing their first Coates Talent League Girls premiership, while the Chargers are looking to add to their 2021 success.
The 2023 Coates Talent League Boys Grand Final between the Sandringham Dragons and Eastern Ranges will be played at IKON Park on Sunday, September 24 from 11:15am. The match will be played prior to the 2023 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final between the Gold Coast Suns and Werribee, which commences at 3:10pm.
The Sandringham Dragons will be looking to defend their 2022 premiership following last year’s 43-point Grand Final triumph over the Dandenong Stingrays. It was the club’s fourth premiership win following triumphs in 1999, 2011 and 2016.
The Dragons finished this year’s home-and-away season in third position on the Coates Talent League Boys ladder and won through to the Grand Final with finals victories over the Northern Knights and Geelong Falcons.
The Eastern Ranges have progressed to the Grand Final from sixth place on the ladder, having beaten the Oakleigh Chargers in the elimination final before accounting for minor premiers the Tasmania Devils in the preliminary final.
The Ranges have previously won premierships in 2002 and 2013.
TICKETING: Entry to both Coates Talent League Grand Finals will be free until the commencement of the half time break on both days. NAB AFLW ticket prices will apply from half time of the Coates Talent League Girls Grand Final on Saturday, September 23. Smithy’s VFL ticket prices will apply from half time of the Coates Talent League Boys Grand Final on Sunday, September 24.
BROADCAST: The 2023 Coates Talent League Grand Finals will be streamed live and free at AFL.com.au and the Coates Talent League App.
The 2023 Coates Talent League season for boys and girls featured 12 programs from Victoria and one from Tasmania for the full season. Academy programs from New South Wales (GWS GIANTS and Sydney Swans), Queensland (Gold Coast SUNS and Brisbane Lions) and Northern Territory (NT Academy) competed in a selection of games early in the season ahead of the National Championships.
Only teams from Victoria and Tasmania feature in the finals.
Finalists competed in two conferences during the quarter finals. One conference featured metropolitan teams, while the other conference featured country teams, along with the Tasmania Devils.
The two conferences then competed against each other in the preliminary finals.
Conference rankings were based on ladder positions at the end of the home-and-away season. Rankings were updated following the quarter finals.
2023 Coates Talent League Awards
The outstanding performers from the 2023 Coates Talent League seasons will be recognised when the 2023 Coates Talent League Awards are announced on Wednesday evening.
Head to AFL.com.au and the Coates Talent League App from 6:30pm AEST on Wednesday, September 20 to watch the virtual ceremony hosted by Jess Webster and Kevin Sheehan, where the Best and Fairest, Personal Growth Award and Teams of the Year will be announced.
2023 Coates Talent League Finals Series Structure
Finals Week 1 – Quarter Finals
Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10
First Quarter Final: First ranked Metro team vs. Fourth ranked Metro team
Second Quarter Final: Second ranked Metro team vs. Third ranked Metro team
Third Quarter Final: First ranked Country/Tas team vs. Fourth ranked Country/Tas team
Fourth Quarter Final: Second ranked Country/Tas team vs. Third ranked Country/Tas team
Finals Week 2 – Preliminary Finals
Saturday, September 16 (Girls) and Sunday, September 17 (Boys)
First Preliminary Final: Highest ranked Metro Quarter Final winner vs. Lowest ranked Country/Tas Quarter Final winner
Second Preliminary Final: Highest ranked Country/Tas Quarter Final winner vs. Lowest ranked Metro Quarter Final winner
Finals Week 3 – Grand Final
Saturday, September 23 (Girls) and Sunday, September 24 (Boys)
Grand Final: Winner of First Preliminary Final vs. Winner of Second Preliminary Final
Venue: IKON Park
2023 Coates Talent League Boys Finals Results
Finals Week 1 – Quarter Finals
First Quarter Final: Sandringham Dragons 14.18 (102) def Northern Knights 6.14 (50)
Second Quarter Final: Eastern Ranges 11.18 (84) def Oakleigh Chargers 10.17 (77)
Third Quarter Final: Tasmania Devils 9.8 (62) def Gippsland Power 5.15 (45)
Fourth Quarter Final: GWV Rebels 9.11 (65) def by Geelong Falcons 13.5 (83)
Finals Week 2 – Preliminary Finals
First Preliminary Final: Sandringham Dragons 15.11 (101) def Geelong Falcons 10.7 (67)
Second Preliminary Final: Tasmania Devils 11.2 (68) def by Eastern Ranges 16.12 (108)
2023 Coates Talent League Girls Finals Results
Finals Week 1 – Quarter Finals
First Quarter Final: Eastern Ranges 13.11 (89) def Northern Knights 1.4 (10)
Second Quarter Final: Oakleigh Chargers 7.5 (47) def Calder Cannons 1.3 (9)
Third Quarter Final: Dandenong Stingrays 9.11 (65) def GWV Rebels 0.1 (1)
Fourth Quarter Final: Geelong Falcons 11.8 (74) def Tasmania Devils 7.5 (47)
Finals Week 2 – Preliminary Finals
First Preliminary Final: Eastern Ranges 12.11 (83) def Geelong Falcons 3.5 (23)
Second Preliminary Final: Dandenong Stingrays 5.3 (33) def by Oakleigh Chargers 8.5 (53)
