VIC Metro has announced its 2023 Under 18 squad, featuring 36 of the most promising metropolitan Coates Talent League prospects. The side’s National Championships defence kicks off on Sunday morning with a trip to Adelaide where South Australia awaits.

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There is a distinct Sandringham Dragons feel to the squad, with the region’s captain and coach – Will Brown and Rob Harding – reprising either role at representative level. The Dragons have a high of 13 members in line for duty, more than double any other Talent League club.

Dragons defender Archie Roberts is also one of two vice-captains, deputising alongside Oakleigh rebounder Nathan Philactides. The pair are two of six National Academy members to have earned selection, in addition to Nate Caddy, William Green, Will Lorenz, and Nick Watson.

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Height is a feature of the overall squad, with 14 players over 190cm and five over 200cm making the cut. It is also a relatively young group, with 12 bottom-agers selected and just one over-ager sneaking in. That means the remainder of the squad – 23 players – falls into the top-age category.

Fans of AFL clubs will likely have a keen eye on father-son and next generation academy (NGA) talent. Key forward Jordan Croft is tied to the Western Bulldogs as a father-son, while midfielders Kynan Brown (Melbourne) and Levi Ashcroft (Brisbane) have the same eligibility. The latter is available in 2024.

Meanwhile, St Kilda has another NGA product coming through the ranks in zippy wingman Josh Docking. Essendon fans will also jot down Mahmoud Taha‘s name, with the midfield accumulator capable of putting up big numbers.

2023 VIC METRO U18 FIXTURE

vs. South Australia | Sunday June 11, 9:45am @ Thebarton Oval (SA)
vs. Allies | Sunday July 2, 2:00pm @ Brighton Homes Arena (QLD)
vs. Western Australia | Sunday July 9, 10:35am @ RSEA Park (VIC)
vs. Vic Country | Saturday July 15, 10:35am @ IKON Park (VIC)

Note: all times local.

2023 VIC METRO U18 SQUAD

#1 Taj Hotton (Sandringham Dragons)*
#2 Tarkyn O’Leary (Sandringham Dragons)
#3 Nick Watson (Eastern Ranges)
#4 Jesse Dattoli (Northern Knights)*
#5 Josh Docking (Sandringham Dragons)
#6 Jagga Smith (Oakleigh Chargers)*
#7 Cam Nyko (Eastern Ranges)
#8 Kynan Brown (Oakleigh Chargers)
#9 Nathan Philactides (Oakleigh Chargers)
#10 Levi Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons)*
#11 Nash King (Calder Cannons)*
#12 Murphy Reid (Sandringham Dragons)*
#13 Mahmoud Taha (Calder Cannons)
#14 Tom Gross (Oakleigh Chargers)*
#15 Caleb Windsor (Eastern Ranges)
#16 Archie Roberts (Sandringham Dragons)
#17 Lucca Grego (Western Jets)*
#18 Harvey Johnston (Sandringham Dragons)
#19 Zak Johnson (Northern Knights)*
#20 Charlie Harrop (Sandringham Dragons)
#21 Will Lorenz (Oakleigh Chargers)
#22 Matt Carroll (Sandringham Dragons)
#23 Brayden LaPlanche (Eastern Ranges)
#24 Nate Caddy (Northern Knights)
#25 Logan Morris (Western Jets)
#26 Luke Trainor (Sandringham Dragons)*
#27 Will Brown (Sandringham Dragons)
#28 Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges)*
#29 Riley Weatherill (Eastern Ranges)
#30 Harry O’Farrell (Calder Cannons)*
#31 Christian Mardini (Northern Knights)
#32 Ollie Murphy (Sandringham Dragons)
#33 Jordan Croft (Calder Cannons)
#34 Will Green (Northern Knights)
#35 Vigo Visentini (Sandringham Dragons)
#36 Will Elliott (Oakleigh Chargers)**

* – denotes bottom-aged (2006-born)
** – denotes over-age (2004-born)