BARRING a postponed fixture, the 2022 AFL Development National Championships have wrapped up for another year, with a bunch of future stars putting their names in lights as potential AFL Draft prospects. In the first full three-round carnival since 2019, South Australia took out the Division 1 title, while Tasmania was crowned the Division 2 champion.

Eight teams have already announced their Most Valuable Players (MVPs), including Vic Country – who also lay claim to this year’s Kevin Sheehan Medallist (Division 1 best and fairest), Finn O’Sullivan. Once the Brisbane Lions and Greater Western Sydney Giants academies lock horns, the Alan McLean Medallist and All Australian team will be announced.

For now, we run through the group of MVP winners from each state, territory and academy across either division, with an update to come on the following two winners.

2022 AFL Under 16 MVPs

Will McCabe (Central District/South Australia)
29/09/2005 | 196cm | Key Defender

One of many father-son candidates littered across South Australia’s championship-winning squad, McCabe has plenty of desirable traits as a key defender. The raw and rangy tall is incredibly athletic for his size, able to shut down opponents with his closing speed and impact plenty of aerial contests. The latter facet will likely be where he impresses most, especially once he puts more meat on his bones. Hawthorn fans are already onto him as a club-tied prospect, being the son of 138-game former Hawk, Luke.

Finn O’Sullivan (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Country)
30/05/2006 | 180cm | Midfielder

Despite playing in a winless side, O’Sullivan was a standout talent and incredibly worthy recipient of the Division 1 best and fairest, to go with his Country MVP status. The classy on-baller proved prolific across all three games, having no trouble getting his hands on the ball and showcasing some deft moves to find passages onto the outside. He was a constant in Country’s midfield alongside co-captain Sam Lalor, and should lead the way among a usually strong Oakleigh Chargers outfit in future.

Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro)
17/05/2006 | 191cm | Midfielder/Defender

A versatile prospect who is already quite well developed, Smillie’s size and strength were dominant factors in the Under 16 grade. Having displayed darting distributional prowess from defence in game one, he took the reigns as captain in game two with a shift into midfield, fitting of the wet conditions. Rounding out a terrific carnival across both roles in game three, Smillie proved he has some real weapons – including his penetrative kick, physicality, and clean hands.

Chayse Martinson (Swan Districts/Western Australia)
6/02/2006 | 179cm | Midfielder

One of many Swan Districts talents to have made a significant impact on the West Australian side, Martinson won great reward for effort with his MVP win. The Black Ducks on-baller was a constant at the coal face, able to accumulate plenty of possessions and drive the ball forward for his side. While perhaps not as polished or flashy as others, he was among his state’s best players in all three games and a deserving winner given his two-way team play.

Leo Lombard (Burleigh Bombers/Suns Academy)
5/10/2006 | 175cm | Midfielder

A smooth mover in midfield, Lombard was arguably at his best in games one and three, despite the Suns going down in their opening outing. The 15-year-old Burleigh Bombers product showcased a nifty turn of speed which helped him take the game on with exciting runs through the middle of the ground, and reasonably neat skills on the uptake. He beat out some stiff opposition for the award, with the Suns finishing second in Division 2.

Waylon Davey (Palmerston Magpies/Northern Territory)
26/09/2006 | Midfielder/Small Forward

Hailing from elite pedigree and carrying a famous name to boot, Davey was a standout among the Northern Territory crop and often the side’s go-to man. He would start in the centre bounces and pinch-hit there, before shifting forward where his power and smarts came to the fore. In a winless Thunder side which struggled to score freely, he snared six goals in three impressive games to mark his natural talent. Like his cousins Jayden and Alwyn Davey, he’ll be boarding in Melbourne and linking with the Oakleigh Chargers.

Joel Cochran (UNSW-East Sydney Bulldogs/Swans Academy)
28/03/2006 | 194cm | 85kg | Key Forward

Listed as the Swans Academy’s tallest player, Cochran made his presence felt across the three games and was among his side’s best in each. Though key position size, the 16-year-old impressed with his follow-up work and ability to impact at ground level, contributing useful play at the fall of the ball in a few terrific showings of repeat effort. The Swans finished fifth of six teams in Division 2 and even in their biggest loss, Cochran hit the scoreboard.

#9 Oliver De Paoli-Kubank (Ulverstone/Tasmania)
24/07/2006 | 172cm | 58kg | Midfielder/Forward

A smooth operator with terrific versatility and creativity, De Paoli-Kubank displayed enormous class in Tasmania’s undefeated sweep of Division 2. Able to play on both sides of midfield and up forward, the lightly-built accumulator used the ball with great poise and found plenty of it in each role. He kicked off his carnival with two goals in game one, was solid again in game two, and capped his contribution with another arguably best afield outing in game three.