U18 National Championships 2025

[one-eyed]

U18 National Championships 2025 - Fixture

                                                                           Location
Sun, June 1     Allies v South Australia                       NSW          12:00pm
Sat, June 7      Western Australia v Victoria Country    WA            10:00am
Sun, June 8     South Australia v Victoria Metro           SA            10:05am
Sun, June 15   South Australia v Western Australia      SA            12:00pm
Sun, June 29   Allies v Western Australia                    VIC           10:35am
Sun, June 29   Victoria Country v South Australia        VIC            1:05pm
Sat, July 5       Allies v Victoria Country                      VIC          11:00am
Sun, July 6      Western Australia v Victoria Metro        WA          12:00pm 
Sun, July 13     Allies v Victoria Metro                        QLD          10:35am
Sun, July 20    Victoria Country v Victoria Metro          VIC          10:35am

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1282618/2025-marsh-afl-national-championships-schedule-announced

[one-eyed]

Tall timber dominates as SA edges past Allies in U18 Champs opener

By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
1 June 2025

ALLIES                      2.4     5.6     9.8     11.10 (76)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA   4.3     8.3     10.8     12.11 (83)

GOALS
Allies: Murray 4, Miller 3, Hamilton 3, Corrigan
South Australia: Schubert 4, Marsh 4, Barker 2, Peucker, Nairn

Stats: https://www.afl.com.au/u18cb/matches/7866

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TALL forward pair Mitch Marsh and Aidan Schubert were dominant in attack to help steer South Australia to a seven-point win over the Allies in the opening game of the Marsh U18 Boys National Championships.

The entertaining clash was punctuated by a host of strong performances, including SA's pair of targets Schubert and Marsh booting four goals each.

The 195cm Schubert was a standout with his marking and capability at ground level, while Marsh showed his polish around goal and capacity to find space on the lead and convert his shots with his penetrating left-foot. Recruiters have seen the 191cm Marsh building in the lead-up to the national carnival and a big championships could solidify his first-round position.

The pair were crucial in their team's 12.11 (83) to 11.10 (76) win at Blacktown on Sunday, with Harley Barker also impressing with two goals from 15 disposals.

Noah Roberts-Thomson, the cousin of 2005 Swans premiership player Lewis, was busy with 17 disposals, Jim Kelly had 20 touches off half-back, Luke Candy had 21 disposals and four clearances and Dyson Sharp had 17 disposals in the middle.

The Allies also had a tall forward take the eye, with Taj Murray kicking four goals in a strong display from nine disposals, while also going through the ruck, where he had 15 hitouts. Murray, who is from the Northern Territory but is playing at North Adelaide this season, was consistently a threat in the air.

The Allies trailed by 15 points at half-time of the clash but made a late run for the win, with small forward Jack Miller (three goals), a Tasmanian, and midfielder Ryder Corrigan (17 disposals, one goal) providing energy throughout.

Brisbane Academy talent Daniel Annable, a potential top-three pick at the draft, did what he always does and had 26 disposals, while Gold Coast's Dylan Patterson showed he will be right in the top-10 frame as well with 23 disposals, six marks, three clearances and his trademark speed.

Fellow Suns Academy products Koby Coulson (25 disposals) and Beau Addinsall (seven clearances) were busy in the midfield for the Allies as well.   

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1331313/tall-timber-dominants-as-sa-edges-past-allies-in-u18-champs-opener

[one-eyed]

Top prospect, Tigers father-son fire SA to huge win over Vic Metro

Dyson Sharp, Louis Kellaway and Aidan Schubert impress for South Australia against Vic Metro

By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
8 June 2025

SOUTH AUSTRALIA    2.2    7.5     11.8   15.10 (100)
VIC METRO               3.3    4.3      4.8      5.9 (39)
 
GOALS
South Australia: Schubert 3, Sharp 2, Peucker 2, Cumming 2, Barker, Marsh, Nairn, Nye, Reichelt, Roberts-Thomson
Vic Metro: Bamert, Dovaston, Greeves, McCarthy, Saxena

Stats: https://www.afl.com.au/u18cb/matches/7860

Highlights: https://www.afl.com.au/video/1338420/u18-boys-national-champs-highlights-sa-v-vic-metro

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South Australia's skipper Dyson Sharp has powered his side to its second straight win of the Marsh AFL Under-18 National Championships with a commanding midfield display.

Sharp's run of recent form continued in his state's second game of the national carnival on Sunday with 32 disposals and two goals in the 61-point thrashing of Vic Metro at Alberton Oval.

The Central District prospect was the standout midfielder on the ground and his ability to float forward and also hit the scoreboard to go with his game-high six clearances made him the clear best afield in the 15.10 (100) to 5.9 (39) win.

Sharp is viewed as a first-round draftee and showed his muscle around the contest, as did Sam Cumming, who was also excellent with two goals from 19 disposals for SA.

Richmond father-son prospect Louis Kellaway (son of former Tiger Duncan) found 19 touches, while tall forward Aidan Schubert backed up last week's four goals against the Allies with another three majors.

Mitch Marsh, who also booted four goals last week, could have had as many again if not for inaccuracy in windy conditions, with the marking option kicking 1.3.

Vic Metro got the early lead, with a seven-point advantage at quarter time, but managed just two goals after that to South Australia's 13.

The smacking saw SA register 46 inside-50s to Vic Metro's 26, with Ollie Greeves' 27 disposals, one goal and five clearances making him Metro's most consistent player across the game.

Kye Fincher, who is tied to St Kilda's Next Generation Academy, cracked in for 27 touches as well, while potential No.1 pick Cooper Duff-Tytler collected 18 disposals and 21 hitouts whilst rucking around the ground.

Aaron Sharkie (19 disposals), Sam Grlj (18) and Collingwood father-son Tom McGuane (15) - the son of Magpies premiership player Mick - were others to get some of the ball for Metro, but it was a tough day for their forwards with South Australia's midfield dominance.

South Australia will host Western Australia next week at Alberton Oval as the home team looks to go 3-0 and be hot favourites to take out this year's championships.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1335783/first-round-prospect-dyson-sharp-tigers-father-son-louis-kellaway-fire-south-australia-to-huge-win-over-vic-metro

[Diocletian]

Vic Metro getting flogged by SA or anyone is usually a good indicator that it's a weak draft and it does look like a very ordinary crop, the more I see, the more I'm convinced trading out for Reid is a no-brainer. Hell trading into next year's draft (which is apparently a lot stronger & less compromised)if Reid's not available might even be a smarter option. A few look ok , Rodriguez , Hibbins-Hargraves are the types we need but for pick 25 , not top 5. The best mids look about the level of Gross & Allen from last year's draft. Burton looks ok but no stand out, Sharp's a brute but slow, Duursma's a classy mover but a worse butcher than Taranto, Greeves - a worse version of Sharp, the supposed "unicorn" & next Luke Jackson CDT doesn't look anything special to me. Kellaway looks almost as good as any of them and we'll be getting him anyway. Everyone up to & including Murphy Reid and probably a few after like Armstrong would easily go pick one this year.

[one-eyed]

Late goal gets the job done as WA downs Vic Country

Hudson Walker kicks the winning goal with 30 seconds remaining to give Western Australia a three-point win

By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
8 June 2025

WESTERN AUSTRALIA    1.2   5.6   10.7   12.9 (81)
VIC COUNTRY               3.3   4.6   8.10   11.12 (78)

GOALS
Western Australia: Curtin 3, Rodriguez 2, Banfield, Farrow, Kelly, Swadling, Walker, Watson, Whan
Vic Country: Hibbins-Hargeaves 4, Malady 2, Ah-Mu 2, Mellor, Neocleous, Smith

Stats: https://www.afl.com.au/u18cb/matches/7865

Highlights: https://www.afl.com.au/video/1337217/u18-boys-national-champs-highlights-wa-v-vic-country

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A STANDOUT game from Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves wasn't enough for Vic Country as Western Australia clinched a win with the final kick of the game in the Marsh AFL National Under-18 Boys Championships contest on Saturday.

Hibbins-Hargreaves announced himself as a potential top-15 pick with his best game of the season with four goals, including two late ones in the final term to lift Vic Country to the lead.

But in an entertaining clash at Mineral Resources Park in Perth, it was local talent Hudson Walker who stole the show with a set shot goal with 30 seconds remaining. With WA three points down, Walker's kick sailed through to hand his state a three-point victory in their first outing of the national carnival.

It capped a promising display from the Subiaco talent, who finished with 16 disposals and seven tackles and was a contributor throughout the game. It was among an even spread of performers for WA, with Fremantle Next Generation Academy member Toby Whan having 18 disposals and a goal, while midfielder Fred Rodriquez kicked two goals from 17 disposals and six tackles to show his wares as his state's leading on-ball prospect.

Jacob Farrow had some exciting moments, while Oscar Willis (16 disposals), Sam Swadling (1.3 from 12 disposals) and Cody Curtin (three goals) were also among the key players for WA.

Vic Country got the early running in the game in leading by 13 points at quarter time, but WA hit back with four goals in the second term and five in the third to take control before Country's late counterpunch.

Fresh from kicking the matchwinner for the Dandenong Stingrays at Coates Talent League level last week, Hibbins-Hargreaves again underlined his front-half talents as an eyecatcher for Vic Country with his four goals coming from 17 touches.

Geelong Falcons midfielder Josh Lindsay was the leading ball-getter in the game with 29 disposals and eight marks and some penetrating play, while Willem Duursma collected 26 disposals and seven marks playing through the midfield. Classy bottom-ager Will Malady, who is draft eligible next year, kicked two goals.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1335782/late-goal-gets-the-job-done-as-western-australia-downs-vic-country

[one-eyed]

SA gun jumps up draft rankings with seven in big win over WA

By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
15 June 2025

SOUTH AUSTRALIA           4.5     7.8   12.12    17.14 (116)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA      1.1     3.1    4.2        6.4 (40)

GOALS
South Australia: Nairn 7, Marsh 2, Marsh 2, Ainsworth, Alver, Cumming, Nye, Peucker, Schubert
Western Australia: Hallett 2, Kelly, Walker, Watson, Williams

Stats: https://www.afl.com.au/u18cb/matches/7857#player-stats

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CAMERON Nairn started this year as a draft hopeful with some tricks. He ended Sunday's Marsh Under-18 Championships as a genuine top 20 pick chance after a huge outing.

The crafty medium forward booted seven goals in a clear best-on-ground display as South Australia smashed Western Australia by 76 points at Alberton Oval.

Nairn was everywhere from the start, booting three goals in the first quarter, one in the second, two in the third and one in the last to complete one of the biggest goal hauls in recent under-18 championships history. His reel of moments was the big takeaway from SA's 17.14 (116) to 6.4 (40) win over WA.

The 189cm Central District talent has averaged two goals a game at SANFL under-18 level this season but boosted his draft stocks with the brilliant display that included set shots, clever snaps and marking prowess.

His performance came as South Australia dominated for its third straight win of the carnival as it eyes its first under-18 title since 2018, when it boasted three top-five picks – Jack Lukosius, Izak Rankine and Connor Rozee.

Against WA, midfield dynamo Dyson Sharp had another excellent game as he heads into Larke Medal favouritism, collecting 33 disposals, seven tackles and six clearances in an impressive display, while Aidan Schubert (21 disposals, one goal) also continued his ascent up draft boards into top-15 contention.

Jack Cook (19 disposals), Harley Barker (19), Louis Kellaway (21) and Mitch Marsh (2.3) were other South Australians to take the eye in front of recruiters ahead of their final game of the carnival in two weeks against Vic Country on June 29.

Western Australia will also play that day at Marvel Stadium against the Allies and will be hoping for a better performance after Sunday's smashing.

Sam Swadling (20 disposals), Matthew Becker (19) and Fred Rodriguez (20) battled hard, while Luke Hallett kicked two goals. Benji van Rooyen, the younger brother of Melbourne's Jacob, played in the ruck and had 14 disposals and six clearances in a strong effort.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1341613/sa-gun-jumps-up-draft-rankings-with-seven-in-big-win-over-wa