Talent League

Under-18 Australian rules football competition

Talent League

Formerly| TAC Cup (1992–2018)
NAB League (2019–2022)
Sport| Australian rules football
First season| 1992
No. of teams| 13
Country| Australia
Most recent
champion(s)| Sandringham Dragons (6)
Most titles| Calder Cannons (6)
Official website| afl.com.au/talent-league

The Talent League (also known as the Coates Talent League under naming rights[1] and previously as the NAB League and TAC Cup) is an under-19 Australian rules football representative competition based in Melbourne and run by the Australian Football League (AFL). It is based on geographic regions throughout country Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne with each team representing one of twelve Victorian regions, while a thirteenth team from Tasmania was reintroduced in 2019.

The competition is the primary sources of recruitment for the clubs of the AFL with around three quarters of all players selected from its ranks in each AFL draft.[2] It provides an opportunity for talented young regional players to participate in a high standard competition without having to relocate too far from their place of origin. The competition has a very successful pathway with players missing AFL selection often being recruited by semi-professional state, country and regional leagues throughout Australia. An equivalent competition for female footballers, known as the Talent League Girls, is also contested on an annual basis.

The league was known as the TAC Cup until 2018, the NAB League in 2019 to 2022, and since 2023 it has been known as the Coates Talent League.[1]

## History

[edit]

With the focus of the VFL/AFL moving rapidly toward a national competition, the former metropolitan and country zoning recruitment system for the Victorian VFL/AFL clubs was abolished, and the league's under-19 competition was shut down at the end of 1991.

A new competition, administered by the Victorian State Football League and sponsored by the Transport Accident Commission, was formed as an avenue for young Victorian under-18 players to make the transition to becoming senior League players. It commenced play on 10 April 1992, the competition consisted of five metropolitan teams and one country team: the Northern Knights, Eastern Ranges, Southern Stingrays (renamed the Dandenong Stingrays in 1995), Western Jets, Central Dragons (renamed the Prahran Dragons in 1995, then the Sandringham Dragons in 2000)[3] and Geelong Falcons.

In 1993 an additional four country teams were included – the Murray Bushrangers, Bendigo Pioneers, Gippsland Power and Ballarat Rebels (renamed the North Ballarat Rebels in 1996, then the Greater Western Victoria Rebels in 2017). In 1995 two additional metropolitan regions were established, with the Oakleigh Chargers and Calder Cannons teams included in the competition.

In 1995, a Tasmanian-based team, the Tassie Mariners, commenced in the competition, becoming the league's first non-Victorian side. The following year, the NSW/ACT Rams were admitted. The Mariners and Rams both exited the competition as full-time members at the end of the 2002, returning the competition to twelve teams.

The Gold Coast Football Club recruited several under-18s players in the 2008/09 summer, and participated in the TAC Cup in 2009 (before playing in the VFL in 2010 and the AFL from 2011). Similarly, the Greater Western Sydney Giants fielded a TAC Cup team in 2010, two seasons prior to its introduction to the AFL in 2012.

Four interstate teams — the Tassie Mariners, NSW/ACT Rams, Queensland Scorpions and the Northern Territory Thunder — each play a handful of games each year against TAC Cup teams, particularly in the lead-up to the annual AFL Under 18 Championships; these games are counted as part of the TAC Cup premiership season, but the interstate clubs are not eligible for the premiership.[4]

Between 1995 and 2008, the finals system was in a knock-out format. This reverted to a traditional finals system in 2009 with the introduction of the Gold Coast team.[5] In 2010, this was extended to include 12 of the 13 clubs participating that season, with the extra matches forming an extended knockout format. In 2011 the finals system was reverted to the traditional eight-team AFL finals series. Prior to the 2014 season, the NSW/ACT Rams was reestablished as a TAC Cup team, with players from the Sydney Swans and Greater Western Sydney Giants young academy sides being picked for the NSW/ACT team.[6]

From 2019, the newly named NAB League introduced six new teams: the AFL Academy sides of Gold Coast, GWS Giants, Sydney Swans, Brisbane Lions; the Northern Territory; and the returning Tassie Mariners, who were later renamed the Tasmania Devils.[7] Additionally, teams were able to include more 19-year-olds – previously only three could be selected.[8] The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2021 the competition fully transitioned from under-18s to under-19s – although the draft age to senior football remained at 18.[9] Since 2023 the league has been primarily by under-18 players, with a selection of under-19 players also listed.[1]

## Age eligibility

[edit]

For many years the league was primarily a competition for 18-year-olds, though exceptions were made for bottom-aged players—16- or 17-year-olds—and since 2007, over-age players—19-year-olds—to participate in the competition. In 2021 the league shifted to an under-19 level, though the entry age for the AFL Draft remains 18.[10]

Since the beginning of the 2007 TAC Cup season, clubs have been granted permission to select up to five over-age players permitted on their lists.[citation needed]

Nonetheless, age eligibility requirements remain for the AFL Draft, where players must have turned seventeen years of age by 30 April of that draft year to be eligible for selection by an AFL club.

## Awards

[edit]

### Morrish Medal

[edit]

The Morrish Medal is awarded to the best player in the competition each year. The same medal was previously awarded to the best player in the Victorian Football League Thirds/Under-19s competition, which the TAC Cup superseded.

### TAC Cup Coaches Award

[edit]

The TAC Cup Coaches Award is voted on by both coaches in a 5–4–3–2–1 format at the end of each game.[11] At the end of the 2015 season, the award was discontinued.

Year | Player/s | Team

|
|

2015 | Jade Gresham[12] | Northern Knights
2014 | Oscar McDonald[13] | North Ballarat Rebels
2013 | Louis Herbert[14] | North Ballarat Rebels
2012 | Jake Lloyd | North Ballarat Rebels
2011 | Shaun Marusic | Gippsland Power
2010 | Adam Marcon | Northern Knights
2009 | Anton Woods | Northern Knights
2008 | Rory Sloane | Eastern Ranges
2007 | Matthew Kreuzer | Northern Knights
2006 | Andrew Horne | Calder Cannons
2005 | Richard Douglas | Calder Cannons
2004 | Adam Pattison | Northern Knights
2003 | Colin Sylvia | Bendigo Pioneers
2002 | Blake Grima | Eastern Ranges
2001 | Brad Miller
Russell Grigg | Western Jets
Bendigo Pioneers
2000 | Paul Carson | Western Jets
1999 | Leigh Brown | Gippsland Power
1998 | Stephen Hazleman | Gippsland Power
1997 | Matthew Bernes | Tassie Mariners
1996 | Tim Finocchiaro | Eastern Ranges
1995 | Jason Snell | Eastern Ranges
1994 | Jason McFarlane | Gippsland Power
1993 | Angelo Lekkas | Northern Knights
1992 | Brad Smith | Northern Knights

## Coverage

[edit]

All matches are live streamed on the AFL app.

Former coverage included:

* The Match of the Round being broadcast live on Rumble 103, an internet radio station based in Melbourne.
* A TAC Cup show screening on Channel 9 in Melbourne and across Victoria and Inland NSW border regions on WIN TV from 1 p.m. every Sunday from late March until the end of September.
* TAC Cup news and results being seen on C31's Local Footy Show and heard on the ABC's Triple J radio station.
* TAC Cup matches were broadcast live on C31 in Melbourne, Geelong & regional Victoria in 2010.
* Radio stations SYN FM & RRR FM broadcast coverage of TAC Cup football matches every weekend during the season.

## Clubs

[edit]

### Current clubs

[edit]

Club  | Colours  | State  | Home venue | Est. | Seasons  | Premierships

|
|
|
|
|
|

First | Total  | Total  | Recent
Bendigo Pioneers |  | VIC | Queen Elizabeth Oval | 1993  | 1993 | 32  | 0  | −
Brisbane Lions (A) |  | QLD | Brighton Homes Arena | 2010  | 2019 | 6  | Not eligible
Calder Cannons |  | VIC | Highgate Recreation Reserve  | 1995  | 1995 | 30  | 6  | 2010
Dandenong Stingrays |  | VIC | Shepley Oval | 1992  | 1992 | 33  | 1  | 2018
Eastern Ranges |  | VIC | Kilsyth Recreation Reserve  | 1992  | 1992 | 33  | 2  | 2013
Geelong Falcons |  | VIC | Chirnside Park | 1992  | 1992 | 33  | 3  | 2017
Gippsland Power |  | VIC | Morwell Recreation Reserve | 1993  | 1993 | 32  | 1  | 2005
Gold Coast Suns (A) |  | QLD | Carrara Stadium | 2010  | 2019 | 6  | Not eligible
Greater Western Sydney Giants (A) |  | NSW | Sydney Showground Stadium | 2010  | 2019 | 6  | Not eligible
Greater Western Victoria Rebels |  | VIC | Eureka Stadium | 1993  | 1993 | 32  | 1  | 1997
Murray Bushrangers |  | VIC | Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta  | 1993  | 1993 | 32  | 2  | 2008
Northern Knights |  | VIC | Preston City Oval | 1992  | 1992 | 33  | 4  | 1996
Northern Territory Thunder |  | NT | Marrara Oval | 1979  | 2000 | 22  | Not eligible
Oakleigh Chargers |  | VIC | Warrawee Park  | 1995  | 1995 | 30  | 5  | 2019
Sandringham Dragons |  | VIC | Trevor Barker Beach Oval | 1992  | 1992 | 33  | 6  | 2024
Sydney Swans (A) |  | NSW | Sydney Cricket Ground | 2010  | 2019 | 6  | Not eligible
Tasmania Devils |  | TAS | Bellerive Oval; York Park | 2019  | 2019 | 6  | 0  | −
Western Jets |  | VIC | Williamstown Cricket Ground | 1992  | 1992 | 33  | 0  | −

* (A) Denotes that the club is the academy team of a senior club of the Australian Football League

### Former clubs

[edit]

Club  | Colours  | State & Territory  | Home venue | Est. | Seasons  | Premierships

|
|
|
|
|
|

Years  | Total
Gold Coast Suns (S) |  | QLD | Carrara Stadium | 2009  | 2009−2009 | 1  | 0
Greater Western Sydney (S) |  | NSW | Sydney Showground Stadium | 2010  | 2010−2010 | 1  | 0
NSW/ACT Rams |  | NSW & ACT | Various | 1996  | 1996−2009;
2011−2011;
2013−2016 | 14  | 0
Queensland Scorpions |  | QLD | Gabba Ground | 1953  | 2000−2008;
2010−2016 | 16  | Not eligible
Tassie Mariners |  | TAS | Bellerive Oval,
York Park | 1976  | 1995−2016 | 22  | 0

* (S) − Senior side of a club that later joined the AFL

### Timeline

[edit]

### VFL affiliations

[edit]

Nine of the 12 Victorian-based Talent League clubs are affiliated with a Victorian Football League (VFL) club. This allows for a development pathway between under-18s football and state-level senior football, with top-age players permitted to play senior VFL games under the 23rd man rule:

* Calder Cannons - Coburg
* Dandenong Stingrays - Frankston
* Eastern Ranges - Box Hill
* Geelong Falcons - Werribee
* Gippsland Power - Casey Demons
* Northern Knights - Northern Bullants
* Oakleigh Chargers - Port Melbourne
* Sandringham Dragons - Sandringham
* Western Jets - Williamstown

## Premiers

[edit]

Season  | Premiers  | GF Score  | Runner-up  | Venue  | Best-on-ground

|
|
|
|
|

1992  | Geelong Falcons  | 18.16 (124) – 12.10 (82)  | Western Jets  | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Daniel Fletcher
1993 | Northern Knights  | 32.10 (202) – 18.11 (119)  | Western Jets  | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Shannon Gibson
1994  | Northern Knights  | 16.21 (117) – 15.17 (107)  | Geelong Falcons  | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Anthony Rocca
1995  | Northern Knights  | 12.20 (92) – 7.21 (63)  | Eastern Ranges  | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Brent Harvey
1996  | Northern Knights  | 15.15 (105) – 14.6 (90)  | NSW/ACT Rams  | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Matthew Harrison
1997  | North Ballarat Rebels  | 16.15 (111) – 10.16 (76)  | Dandenong Stingrays  | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Adam Goodes
1998  | Murray Bushrangers  | 17.18 (120) – 12.12 (84)  | Geelong Falcons  | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Michael Stevens
1999  | Sandringham Dragons  | 16.8 (104) – 8.6 (54)  | Gippsland Power  | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Dylan Smith
2000 | Geelong Falcons  | 18.16 (124) – 15.12 (102)  | Eastern Ranges  | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Amon Buchanan
2001 | Calder Cannons  | 16.14 (110) – 10.13 (73)  | Bendigo Pioneers  | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Jordan Barham
2002 | Eastern Ranges  | 10.5 (65) – 9.10 (64)  | Calder Cannons  | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Stephen Dinnell
2003 | Calder Cannons  | 16.14 (110) – 2.6 (18)  | Murray Bushrangers  | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Brock McLean
2004 | Calder Cannons  | 19.20 (134) – 9.10 (64)  | Eastern Ranges  | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Jesse D. Smith
2005 | Gippsland Power  | 12.9 (81) – 10.6 (66)  | Dandenong Stingrays  | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Dale Thomas
2006 | Oakleigh Chargers  | 19.16 (130) – 16.7 (103)  | Calder Cannons  | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Dean Kelly
2007 | Calder Cannons  | 14.20 (104) – 7.12 (54)  | Murray Bushrangers  | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Ashley Arrowsmith
2008 | Murray Bushrangers  | 21.16 (142) – 9.7 (61)  | Dandenong Stingrays  | Docklands Stadium/Telstra Dome | Steele Sidebottom
2009 | Calder Cannons  | 17.10 (112) – 14.14 (98)  | Dandenong Stingrays  | Docklands Stadium/Etihad Stadium | Jake Melksham
2010 | Calder Cannons  | 17.14 (116) – 8.10 (58)  | Gippsland Power  | Docklands Stadium/Etihad Stadium | Mitch Wallis
2011 | Sandringham Dragons  | 17.11 (113) – 16.9 (105)  | Oakleigh Chargers  | Docklands Stadium/Etihad Stadium | Jack Viney
2012 | Oakleigh Chargers  | 12.10 (82) – 12.9 (81)  | Gippsland Power  | Docklands Stadium/Etihad Stadium | Jackson Macrae
2013 | Eastern Ranges  | 24.8 (152) – 5.10 (40)  | Dandenong Stingrays  | Docklands Stadium/Etihad Stadium | Ben Cavarra
2014 | Oakleigh Chargers  | 17.15 (117) – 11.4 (70)  | Calder Cannons  | Docklands Stadium/Etihad Stadium | Toby McLean
2015 | Oakleigh Chargers  | 10.13 (73) – 9.7 (61)  | Eastern Ranges  | Docklands Stadium/Etihad Stadium | Kade Answerth
2016 | Sandringham Dragons  | 12.13 (85) – 9.14 (68)  | Murray Bushrangers  | Docklands Stadium/Etihad Stadium | Andrew McGrath
2017 | Geelong Falcons  | 13.11 (89) – 13.9 (87)  | Sandringham Dragons  | Docklands Stadium/Etihad Stadium | Gryan Miers
2018 | Dandenong Stingrays  | 12.8 (80) - 11.8 (74)  | Oakleigh Chargers  | Princes Park/Ikon Park | Matthew Rowell
2019 | Oakleigh Chargers  | 12.17 (89) - 5.6 (36)  | Eastern Ranges  | Princes Park/Ikon Park | Matthew Rowell
2020 | No premiership awarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 | No premiership awarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2022 | Sandringham Dragons  | 14.10 (94) – 7.9 (51)  | Dandenong Stingrays  | Princes Park/Ikon Park | Will Ashcroft
2023  | Sandringham Dragons  | 17.10 (112) - 10.9 (69)  | Eastern Ranges  | Princes Park/Ikon Park | Will Brown
2024  | Sandringham Dragons  | 16.7 (103) - 10.6 (66)  | Greater Western Victoria Rebels  | Princes Park/Ikon Park | Sam Marshall

### Total premierships by club

[edit]

* 6 – Calder Cannons, Sandringham Dragons
* 5 – Oakleigh Chargers
* 4 – Northern Knights
* 3 – Geelong Falcons
* 2 – Eastern Ranges, Murray Bushrangers
* 1 – Dandenong Stingrays, Gippsland Power, Greater Western Victoria Rebels
* 0 – Bendigo Pioneers, Western Jets

NSW/ACT Rams, as of 2015, do not play a full season, and therefore cannot compete for the premiership.

### Total runner-up placements by club

[edit]

* 6 – Dandenong Stingrays, Eastern Ranges
* 5 -
* 4 -
* 3 – Murray Bushrangers, Calder Cannons, Gippsland Power
* 2 – Oakleigh Chargers, Geelong Falcons, Western Jets
* 1 – Greater Western Victoria Rebels, Sandringham Dragons, Bendigo Pioneers, NSW/ACT Rams
* 0 – Northern Knights

## Talent League Girls

[edit]

Main article: Talent League Girls

A female youth competition, the Talent League Girls, equivalent to the Talent League, was inaugurated in 2017.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* TAC Cup history

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "Coates Talent League to take off in 2023". afl.com.au. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
2. ^ Dominance of private school prospects in AFL draft expected to continue in 2024 By Erin Marsicovetere for ABC News 17 November 2024
3. ^ "Our History". Sandringham Dragons Football Club. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
4. ^ "2014 TAC Cup fixture released". Sportingpulse. 12 December 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
5. ^ "Journey back in time for TAC Cup - Australian Rules/Footy - Sport | Moreland Leader". moreland-leader.whereilive.com.au. Archived from the original on 19 September 2009.
6. ^ Rams to travel to Melbourne for first TAC Cup game in 12 years
7. ^ Twomey, Callum (17 August 2018). "TAC Cup set for major overhaul in 2019". afl.com.au. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
8. ^ Balmer, Matt (17 August 2018). "AFL Draft 2018: Premier TAC Cup competition set for major shake-up to include interstate teams in Victoria". Fox Sports Australia. Retrieved 6 December 2018.
9. ^ Max Laughton (24 August 2020). "VFL to merge with NEAFL, under-18 comps revamped in massive changes to AFL's second tier". Fox Sports. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
10. ^ "NAB League Media Release - The future of women's kicks off on Saturday". AFL.com.au. 5 February 2021. "As part of the new model, age groups for all AFL Talent Pathway Programs, including the NAB League Girls and Boys and the NAB AFL / AFLW National Championships, will be re-focussed from U16 and U18 Levels to U17 and U19 in 2021."
11. ^ TAC Cup Coaches Award details
12. ^ "Draft bolter Clayton Oliver clinches Morrish Medal". AFL.com.au. 13 September 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2015.
13. ^ "TAC Cup award night winners". Sportingpulse. 8 September 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
14. ^ Herbert wins award in TAC Cup

* v
* t
* e

Talent League Boys and Talent League Girls

Clubs|

| Full-time|

* Bendigo Pioneers
* Calder Cannons
* Dandenong Stingrays
* Eastern Ranges
* Geelong Falcons
* Gippsland Power
* Greater Western Victoria Rebels
* Murray Bushrangers
* Northern Knights
* Oakleigh Chargers
* Sandringham Dragons
* Tasmania Devils
* Western Jets

|

Academies|

* Brisbane Lions
* Gold Coast
* Greater Western Sydney
* Northern Territory
* Sydney

Former|

* Gold Coast (seniors)
* Greater Western Sydney (seniors)
* NSW/ACT Rams
* Queensland Scorpions
* Tassie Mariners

Boys seasons|

* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Girls seasons|

* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Awards|

* Morrish Medal

Related|

* AFL under-19s
* VFA under-19s

* v
* t
* e

Australian rules football in Victoria

Representative side|

* Victoria

Governing bodies|

* AFL Victoria (metropolitan)
* AFL Victoria Country (regional)

Professional clubs|

* Carlton
* Collingwood
* Essendon
* Geelong
* Hawthorn
* Melbourne
* North Melbourne
* Richmond
* St Kilda
* Western Bulldogs

Leagues|

| Statewide|

* Victorian Football League
* Talent League (under-19)
* List of Australian rules football competitions in Victoria

|

Metropolitan|

* Eastern
* Essendon District
* Northern
* Riddell District
* Southern
* VAFA
* Western

Regional (major)|

* Ballarat
* Bellarine
* Bendigo
* Central Murray
* Geelong
* Gippsland
* Goulburn Valley
* Hampden
* Mornington Peninsula
* Murray
* North Central
* Outer East
* Ovens & Murray
* Sunraysia
* Wimmera

Regional (district)|

* Central Highlands
* Colac
* East Gippsland
* Ellinbank
* Geelong & District
* Golden Rivers
* Heathcote
* Horsham
* Kyabram
* Loddon Valley
* Maryborough Castlemaine
* Mid Gippsland
* Millewa
* Mininera
* North Gippsland
* Omeo
* Ovens & King
* Picola
* South West
* Tallangatta
* Upper Murray
* Warrnambool
* West Gippsland

Women's|

* AFL Victoria Youth Girls Competition
* Barwon
* North East Border
* Talent League Girls
* VFL Women's

Other|

* Victorian Blind Football League
* Victorian FIDA Football League
* Yarra Junior Football League

Defunct leagues|

* Alberton (1945–2019)
* Ararat (1931−1999)
* Benalla (1946−2009)
* Benalla Tungamah/Central Goulburn (1938-2005)
* Central Goulburn Valley (1946-1952)
* Chiltern (1912−1956)
* CYMS (1910s−1976)
* Euroa District (1903−1949)
* Eastern Suburban Churches (1923-1992)
* Federal DFA (1897-1902)
* Federal FL (1909–1981)
* Goulburn Valley FA (1888-1931)
* Heytesbury Mount Noorat (1992-2002)
* Lexton Plains (1999–2010)
* Mallee (1997–2015)
* Mount Noorat (1932–1991)
* Northern & Echuca (1990–1996)
* Northern Mallee (1979–1996)
* Polwarth (1922-1970)
* Reporter District (1903–1928)
* Riviera (1986–2003)
* South East (2015–2018)
* South Eastern Women's (2017–2023)
* South Wimmera (1912-1969)
* Southern Mallee (1932–1996)
* Tyrrell (1945–1978)
* VFA Sub-Districts (19??−19??)
* VFL Development (1928−2017)
* VFL Sub-Districts (1925−1949)
* VJFA (1883–1932)
* Victorian Women's (1981–2016)
* Walhalla (1888-1913)
* Waranga North East (1913-1976)
* West Wimmera (1923-1981)
* Western Plains (1920-1998)
* Yackandandah (1928-1954)
* Yarra Ranges (1966–2018)
* Yarra Valley (1909-1965)
* YCWNFA (1962-1987)
* List of former Australian rules football competitions in Victoria

Seasons|

* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Principal venues|

* Melbourne Cricket Ground
* Docklands Stadium
* Princes Park
* Kardinia Park

Other articles|

* History (1859–1900)
* List of Australian rules football clubs in Victoria

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