THE 2023 AFL Under 16 National Development Championships are underway, marking a significant and often primary step for many budding prospects on their path to the elite level. But how does it work? We run through all the key points before three more Round 1 matches go down this weekend.

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WHO’S PLAYING?

A total of 10 teams (see below) participate across two pools in the National Development Championships, consisting of the best Under 16 talent from around the nation.

Although it is an Under 16 competition, a small number of players directly on either side of the 2007-born bracket can also participate.

All states and territories are represented, and each region holds its own unique format of trial games before the fact to decide who makes the final cut.

>> Next Gen: U16 Northern Academy prospects

POOLS

Unlike in the Under 18 championships, there are two pools in the Under 16 competition – previously known as Divisions 1 and 2. Now Pool A and B, the former consists of powerhouse state sides South Australia, Western Australia, and Victoria – split into Country and Metro.

Pool B consists of the teams which essentially go on to form the Under 18 Allies, with four Northern Academies joined by the Northern Territory and Tasmania. The academies boast respective club-tied players, while prospects from the NT are also linked to Gold Coast via recent draft concessions.

Each team plays three games in either pool, with the first handful of matches spread across four states before all 10 sides converge on the Gold Coast to play out the more significant portion of the carnival – labelled Round 2.

The team with the most points in either pool will win the respective titles. Should two teams finish on equal points, the winner of their head-to-head match takes out the championship. South Australia (Pool A) and Tasmania (Pool B) are the reigning champions.

Pool A: South Australia, Vic Country, Vic Metro, Western Australia
Pool B: Brisbane Lions Academy, Gold Coast SUNS Academy, GWS GIANTS Academy, Northern Territory, Sydney Swans Academy, Tasmania

AWARDS

At the end of the tournament, all 10 teams award a Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Medals are also handed out for the MVPs of either pool, with the Pool A honour named after legendary talent pathway ambassador, Kevin Sheehan. Last year, Vic Country midfielder Finn O’Sullivan took out the award.

A panel of talent pathway staff and AFL recruiters also collaborate on an overall All Australian squad, comprising of the best players from each pool. Given the depth of players to choose from, competition for spots is usually tight.

WHEN DID IT START?

A Victorian derby kicked off proceedings in Pool A on June 10, with Vic Country mounting a sensational final quarter comeback to defeat Vic Metro by three points at Trevor Barker Beach Oval. The Giants and Swans Academies also got things underway in Pool B on Saturday, with Sydney coming away 24-point victors at Blacktown International Sportspark.

Three more fixtures will see out Round 1 this coming weekend, headlined by a Pool A matchup between Western Australia and South Australia at Mineral Resources Park on Sunday.

Before that goes down, the Northern Territory and Tasmania do battle on neutral ground in Victoria, while Brisbane and Gold Coast lock horns for a junior Q-Clash at Brighton Homes Arena – both on Saturday.

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