THE DUST has settled on this year’s AFL Under 16 National Development Championships, which highlighted the talent of Australian rules football’s next generation. We recap what went down across the carnival between two pools of 10 competing teams.

>> Remember the Names: 2023 AFL U16 MVPs

POOL A

Champions: Vic Metro
Kevin Sheehan Medal: Dyson Sharp (South Australia)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

MVP: Dyson Sharp (Central District)
Record: 1-2, 145.0%

Results:
def. by Western Australia 7.18 (60) to 9.11 (65)
def. Vic Country 12.12 (84) to 1.5 (11)
def. by Vic Metro 8.11 (59) to 9.10 (64)

How it happened:

The South Australians can count themselves unlucky to come away from this year’s carnival with a 1-2 record. Inaccuracy cost them in a last-gasp loss to Western Australia in game one, while a spirited late comeback fell just short against eventual champion, Vic Metro in game three.

Their two five-point losses were middled by a thumping 73-point win over Vic Country in the wet, which went a long way to the Croweaters boasting Pool A’s top percentage of 145. Skipper Dyson Sharp was a lock for MVP honours having also taken out the esteemed Kevin Sheehan Medal.

VIC METRO

MVP: Jack Dalton (Sandringham Dragons)
Record: 2-1, 122.9%

Results:
def. by Vic Country 8.17 (65) to 10.8 (68)
def. Western Australia 15.12 (102) to 9.7 (61)
def. South Australia 9.10 (64) to 8.11 (59)

How it happened:

It’s a wonder how Vic Metro didn’t go undefeated throughout the carnival having arguably been the best performed side, but a 2-1 record was good enough to claim the Pool A trophy. Goal kicking inaccuracy and a fourth quarter fadeout against Vic Country accounted for the only blemish on their record.

Most significantly, the Victorians took out an impressive 41-point win over fellow 2-1 team Western Australia, which helped secure the title on head-to-head ledger. Their game three win over South Australia put the cherry on top, despite some more nervous moments in the final 23 minutes.

VIC COUNTRY

MVP: Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power)
Record: 1-2, 61.5%

Results:
def. Vic Metro 10.8 (68) to 8.17 (65)
def. by South Australia 1.5 (11) to 12.12 (84)
def. by Western Australia 11.7 (73) to 14.14 (98)

How it happened:

The only team to defeat this year’s champions in Vic Metro, the Country contingent pulled off their lone win with a spirited comeback in game one. After trailing for nearly the entire match and by 21 points in term four, Harry Morphett converted a late go-ahead goal to secure the unlikely victory.

Things went steeply downhill from there with a timid 73-point loss to South Australia in dire conditions, and while the sun came out a few days later against Western Australia, Vic Country could not quite contain the Sandgropers who kicked away in the final quarter.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

MVP: Basil Hart (Peel Thunder)
Record: 2-1, 95.3%

Results:
def. South Australia 9.11 (65) to 7.18 (60)
def. by Vic Metro 9.7 (61) to 15.12 (102)
def. Vic Country 14.14 (98) to 11.7 (73)

How it happened:

Despite matching Vic Metro’s 2-1 record, Western Australia was made to settle for second in this year’s carnival having lost to the champions by 41 points in game two. The Sandgropers were otherwise flawless with wins over South Australia and Vic Country to bookend their campaign.

Game one was a nailbiter which saw WA take advantage of SA’s poor conversion, with MVP winner Basil Hart kicking the winning goal with the last of his three majors. Another strong finish saw the Black Ducks beat Vic Country in the carnival’s final fixture, this time with a bigger buffer in the fourth quarter.

POOL B

Champions: Brisbane Lions Academy
Alan McLean Medal: Beau Addinsall (Gold Coast Suns Academy)

BRISBANE LIONS ACADEMY

MVP: Daniel Annable
Record: 3-0, 233.9%

Results:
def. Suns Academy 10.11 (71) to 5.11 (41)
def. Swans Academy 10.14 (74) to 8.2 (50)
def. Northern Territory 19.13 (127) to 3.6 (24)

How it happened:

It was a comprehensively complete campaign from the Lions Academy, who had the best record, percentage, and points differential of any team in either pool. It all kicked off with a 30-point Q-Clash victory atop their home turf in game one, before finishing the job in style on the Gold Coast.

The Lions were in control for much of the game against the Swans Academy in game two, and snuffed out a momentary final quarter fightback. Things were then less tense in a 103-point dismantling of the Northern Territory on the day where skipper and MVP Daniel Annable got to hold his side’s trophy aloft.

GOLD COAST SUNS ACADEMY

MVP: Beau Addinsall
Record: 2-1, 136.1%

Results:
def. by Lions Academy 5.11 (41) to 10.11 (71)
def. Tasmania 13.14 (92) to 4.8 (32)
def. Swans Academy 10.7 (67) to 7.2 (44)

How it happened:

Having only gone down to the champions in Brisbane and not had a fixture against the 0-3 side, Gold Coast can count its carnival a success. The Suns’ lone loss in game one came by five goals after a decent battle with the Lions, before thriving in the home legs with two straight wins.

First, the Suns were far too good for Tasmania in what was an entertaining game at Heritage Bank Stadium. Next, they outlasted the Swans Academy in what was a better test throughout four quarters. Star midfielder-forward Beau Addinsall was deservedly named club and competition MVP.

GWS GIANTS ACADEMY

MVP: Ryder Corrigan
Record: 2-1, 153.5%

Results:
def. by Swans Academy 9.5 (59) to 12.11 (83)
def. Northern Territory 21.13 (139) to 5.8 (38)
def. Tasmania 9.12 (66) to 7.9 (51)

How it happened:

Though GWS suffered a first-up loss to rivals, Sydney, a sound recovery saw the Giants finish with a positive 2-1 record. The Swans kicked away with five goals to one in term three to force the only blemish of the Giants’ tournament.

A confidence-boosting win over the Northern Territory followed, with the 101-point margin in slippery conditions making for impressive reading. Though, arguably the better four-quarter showing came in a tense 15-point win over Tasmania, where the Giants held firm in the final term.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

MVP: Taj Murray
Record: 0-3, 18.5%

Results:
def. by Tasmania 1.4 (10) to 19.10 (124)
def. by Giants Academy 5.8 (38) to 21.13 (139)
def. by Lions Academy 3.6 (24) to 19.13 (127)

How it happened:

It was tough going for the Northern Territory, who was the only team over both pools not to notch a win at this year’s National Championships. Three losses of over 100 points makes for grim reading, though there were some positives over the course of the carnival.

After suffering their heaviest loss (114 points) at the hands of Tasmania, the NT kicked their best score of 5.8 (38) against GWS. Facing the Lions Academy in game three was always going to be a baptism of fire, but they managed to snare the first goal and were competitive in patches against the champions.

SYDNEY SWANS ACADEMY

MVP: Lachlan Carmichael
Record: 1-2, 88.5%

Results:
def. Giants Academy 12.11 (83) to 9.5 (59)
def. by Lions Academy 8.2 (50) to 10.14 (74)
def. by Suns Academy 7.2 (44) to 10.7 (67)

How it happened:

Things started on a positive note for Sydney, who defeated the Giants Academy by 24 points in a terrific first-up effort. Unfortunately for the Swans, they drew a tough hand against the two Queensland teams playing in their home state, and lost to both despite being largely competitive.

The Swans’ winning margin was completely flipped against Brisbane, who held firm in the face of a late rally. Game three ended in a 23-point loss to the Suns Academy, meaning Sydney was consistent at the least and able to enjoy short spurts of momentum against quality opposition.

TASMANIA

MVP: Jasper Hay
Record: 1-2, 123.2%

Results:
def. Northern Territory 19.10 (124) to 1.4 (10)
def. by Suns Academy 4.8 (32) to 13.14 (92)
def. by Giants Academy 7.9 (51) to 9.12 (66)

How it happened:

Tasmania could hardly have asked for a better draw to kick off its campaign, coming up against the Northern Territory on neutral ground in Victoria. The Devils were comfortable 11-point victors, restricting their opponents to just one goal, though it would be a standalone success in the overall carnival.

Despite putting on a good show against the Suns Academy, Tasmania was quite easily outdone on the scoreboard in a 60-point loss. Game three wasn’t much easier, but a second defeat ensued as the Giants Academy managed to outlast their southernmost opponents.

>> Stay tuned to Rookie Me Central, where we’ll highlight even more Under 16 prospects once the All Australian team drops. An equivalent will also be put together for the Under 18 National Championships.