THE 2023 Allies squad is barely a week removed from officially stamping itself as the best group in the team’s relatively short history, having emphatically taken out this year’s AFL Under 18 National Championships title – undefeated, no less.

Consisting of players from the Northern Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, and Tasmania, the Allies had only previously won a maximum of one game since entering the current championship format in 2016. They blew that out of the water this year.

Along the way, they beat Vic Metro for the first time and looked a class above most opponents. Even when they were challenged, they found a way. Headlined by a first rate midfield but with draftable talent on every line, we profile ALL 31 players used in the title run.

PROFILED: 2023 ALLIES SQUAD

#1 Ryley Sanders (Sandringham Dragons/Tasmania)
Midfielder | 21/01/2005 | 186cm | 85kg

What a carnival it was for Sanders. He had the honour of captaining his side in its title-clinching game against Vic Country and had a day out with 35 disposals. That was one four games where he notched at least 34 disposals, sustaining a remarkable level of consistency throughout. The Tasmanian’s four-game stint saw him stamp his credentials as a top 10 talent and arguably one of the best two pure midfielders in the draft class. He’ll run out the rest of the season with Sandringham Dragons and Melbourne Grammar, hopefully showcasing more of his well-rounded ball winning acumen and neat skills.

#2 Harvey Thomas (Oakleigh Chargers/Giants Academy/NSW-ACT)
Small Defender | 08/08/2005 | 175cm | 68kg

The Allies’ midfield depth saw Thomas, a natural on-baller, squeezed out to defence at representative level. He took up the role with aplomb, plying his trade as a creative kicker in the back line. He still managed to get his hands on the ball and showcased his smarts by making typically sound decisions, even shouldering some of the kick-in duties throughout the carnival. Another Victorian boarder, Thomas is also tied to a Talent League region in the Oakleigh Chargers.

#3 Caiden Cleary (Swans Academy/NSW-ACT)
Midfielder | 03/05/2005 | 182cm | 81kg

There were clear improvements for Cleary to make coming into the championships and he went from strength to strength in his second Allies campaign. Having cut his teeth on the wing last year, Cleary turned out in a more natural inside role this time around and displayed the kind of work rate he is renowned for. Whether it was burrowing in at the contest or busting a gut on the outside, the Swans Academy standout had an impact and tweaked some of his disposal deficiencies. His 36 disposals, eight tackles and nine inside 50s in game four helped the Allies put both hands on the cup.

#5 Colby McKercher (Launceston/Tasmania Devils)
Midfielder | 04/12/2005 | 181cm | 73kg

Another absolute star who shone brightly across all four games, McKercher could hardly have envisioned a better championship both individually and as a team. Coming into the campaign as a top 10 talent, he crept into top five calculations and is now right in the conversation to be considered one of the best two or three talents nationwide. With a sharp turn of speed, high running capacity, and the ability to wax with teammates in waves, McKercher is always a marvel to watch. His output was just as eye-catching, averaging 33 disposals with a high of 40 against Western Australia.

#7 Lachlan Cabor (Swans Academy/NSW-ACT)
Small Defender | 28/09/2005 | 179cm | 82kg

Perhaps a player who snuck under the radar, Cabor was called upon in all four games and locked down a role in defence. Though he averaged under 10 touches, the National Academy member seemed to build in confidence and form to produce a few nice running passages and perhaps more importantly, fulfil his duties in the back half.

#9 Jake Rogers (Suns Academy/Queensland)
Midfielder | 02/03/2005 | 171cm | 68kg

One of the Suns Academy’s three first round prospects this year, Rogers was right up there with the Allies’ best in midfield. He never dropped below 20 touches across the four games despite the likes of McKercher and Sanders racking up huge numbers, proving a mainstay at centre bounces. Rogers’ inside-outside balance was impressive, able to win his own ball with clean skills and carve ways out of traffic, but also pressuring hard on the defensive end. He’s another who only boosted his stocks on the big stage and is a genuine top 15 prospect – pushing hard for the top 10.

#10 Leonardo Lombard (Suns Academy/Queensland)
Midfielder/Forward | 05/11/2006 | 178cm | 76kg

The first bottom-ager to feature in the numerically ordered squad list, Lombard got a taste for Under 18 representative football in his one and only game against South Australia. He notched up 10 disposals and two tackles during the championship-opening victory, and can look forward to a more significant role in next year’s tournament should he continue to shine in Suns colours.

#11 Phoenix Gothard (Murray Bushrangers/NSW-ACT)
Small Forward | 07/09/2005 | 178cm | 70kg

A real livewire up forward, Gothard was somewhat of a surprise packet but ended up being an undeniable selection throughout the four games. The Albury product turns out at Talent League level for the Murray Bushrangers and did enough in his flashes of brilliance to earn Allies selection, before producing similarly exciting moments on the big stage. Though not the complete package yet, Gothard’s speed and creativity have him in the draft frame, with his best haul yielding 11 disposals and two goals against Vic Country.

#12 Will Rowlands (Southern Districts/Norwood/Northern Territory)
Forward/Midfielder | 19/06/2005 | 179cm | 76kg

A shoulder injury prevented Rowlands from running out the entire carnival, though he still managed to strut his stuff in the opening two games. Playing on either side of midfield with stints up forward, the Northern Territory native notched nine touches in either outing and will hope to return to Norwood’s Under 18 setup down in South Australia, with a finals spot on the line in the final six rounds.

#13 Jack Callinan (Clarence/Tasmania Devils)
Small Forward | 10/07/2005 | 179cm | 77kg

Perhaps the Allies’ most known quantity in the way of small forwards, Callinan proved his potential with some terrific moments across all four games. The son of former Adelaide forward, Ian, Jack brought intensity to each contest and wasn’t afraid to get under his opponents’ skin. He was classy with ball in hand too and showcased a good eye for goal, booting five majors with a high of three against Western Australia. In a case of quality over quantity, those scores sparked his side’s second quarter surge.

#14 Indhi Kirk (Swans Academy/NSW-ACT)
Midfielder | 31/08/2004 | 181cm | 76kg

The son of Sydney champion Brett, Indhi is a father-son prospect for the Swans in his over-age year. Having made last year’s Allies squad without registering a game, he returned in 2023 to play thrice, slotting in mostly on the wing with stints on-ball. He wasn’t part of the game four side, but had his best outing against Western Australia in game two with 21 disposals, eight marks and six tackles. There, he showcased toughness, ball winning ability, and work rate akin to his famous father.

#15 James Leake (Launceston/Tasmania Devils)
Defender | 10/02/2005 | 188cm | 74kg

A real bolter out of the Tasmanian contingency, Leake slotted into defence and nailed down a role in what some insiders believed was the Allies’ most important line. The Launceston product showed spurts of speed and was difficult to beat in contests, holding his own in dynamic performance across all four games. He can impact aerially and cover the ground well, as proven by his averages of 16 disposals and five marks. His best was an effort of 21 and five against Western Australia.

#17 Clay Shadforth (Palmerston/South Adelaide/Northern Territory)
Small Forward | 11/04/2006 | 179cm | 80kg

Another Northern Territory talent who boards in South Australia, linking with South Adelaide in the SANFL Under 18s, Shadforth was called upon for one game. The lively bottom-ager turned out against Western Australia, managing four disposals and a couple of tackles in his first taste of Under 18 representative football.

#18 Max Rider (Swans Academy/NSW-ACT)
Wing/Forward | 28/08/2005 | 186cm | 81kg

Another player whose promising campaign was cut short by injury, Rider’s rolled ankle cut his output down to the opening two games. Able to play as a high forward or wingman, the Swans Academy prospect booted two goals in both of his appearances, and built nicely into game two with 17 disposals and four marks before coming out of the team.

#19 Jack Glanvill (Giants Academy/NSW-ACT)
Midfielder | 09/05/2005 | 186cm | 71kg

Having overcome swelling in his knee to get a crack in the starting side, Glanvill got his chance mostly on the wing but also rotated into the centre bounces. The clean-handling Giants Academy midfielder played in his side’s final two games, building from an eight-disposal effort against Vic Metro to notch 15, five marks and a goal against Vic Country. He made use of his opportunity and fit in fell.

#20 Orlando Turner (Norwood/Northern Territory)
Small Forward | 16/05/2005 | 176cm | 67kg

A National Academy member with nice upside and a bag of tricks, Turner helped ensure the Northern Territory would be aptly represented in the carnival with his two games. He was rotated after gathering six disposals in game one, but returned in game four against Vic Country and booted two goals from eight touches – the second of which both iced the game and the title.

#24 Sam Marshall (Sandringham Dragons/Lions Academy/Queensland)
Midfielder | 19/01/2006 | 185cm | 78kg

Marshall is another bottom-ager who did enough to crack two games in the Allies’ stacked squad, and he more than held his own. Rotating between the wing and centre bounces, the Lions Academy member racked up 19 and 18 touches in games two and three, arguably producing his best form on debut against Western Australia. He recently also turned out for the first time with Sandringham and the Lions VFL side, pointing towards a bright future for the hard-working accumulator.

#25 Jed Walter (Suns Academy/Queensland)
Key Forward | 08/06/2005 | 195cm | 91kg

There is little more that can be said about Walter, who wowed throughout the National Championships as the Allies’ attacking centrepiece. With strong athleticism and a rare willingness to hunt the opposition defensively at 195cm, the Suns Academy ace bullied opponents and had teams scrambling to ensure they had an apt matchup. Vic Country even called up a new member to its squad to deal with Walter. He started each game like a house on fire and booted three goals in all bar the final match, including in an enthralling matchup with fellow top 10 talent, Dan Curtin. He’s now right in the pick one frame, and will be fondly remembered for captaining the Allies’ first ever win over Vic Metro.

#26 Will Graham (Suns Academy/Queensland)
Defender/Midfielder | 27/07/2005 | 186cm | 79kg

Another perceived victim of the Allies’ midfield depth, Graham took a new role in his stride to thrive down back before eventually getting a run on-ball in game four. The Suns Academy member hunted possessions both in the air and across the ground, showcasing deceptive athleticism for such a big-bodied prospect and proving clean in his handling. He averaged 17 disposals and six marks in his first three games, before registering 16 touches, six tackles and six inside 50s in the guts during game four. Clubs will be monitoring him with the Suns unlikely to nab a fourth academy graduate this year.

#27 Heath Ollington (North Launceston/Tasmania Devils)
Forward | 12/10/2004 | 190cm | 81kg

A real effort player who came in and performed his role well, Ollington turned out in the Allies’ final two games. His best outing came in the first of those appearances, against Vic Metro, where the 190cm Tasmanian forward clunked seven marks and booted a goal from 21 disposals. He managed 14 touches and four marks in game four, adding grunt to the side and proving why he was selected as an over-ager.

#28 Nick Williams (Suns Academy/Queensland)
Tall Defender | 02/05/2004 | 191cm | 83kg

Allies staff were pleased with the work of Williams, who played an important role on the last line of defence. The over-ager, who had prior VFL experience with the Suns, burst onto the scene in his final Talent League outing against GWV, and carried that high-marking form into his four-game representative stint. His first two appearances were particularly impressive with an average of 12 disposals, five marks, and three rebound 50s, with Williams also blowing up the GPS despite occupying a deeper post down back.

#29 Tye Gander (Swans Academy/NSW-ACT)
Wing/Forward | 04/04/2004 | 192cm | 76kg

Having missed out on game one selection, Gander came into the fold for game two where he produced arguably his best performance. He took six marks and booted a goal from 12 touches, before backing it up with a couple more majors against Vic Metro. The tall and rangy forward also spent time up on a wing, showcasing his high marking ability and sneakily good goal sense as an over-ager.

#30 Charlie McCormack (Giants Academy/NSW-ACT)
Key Forward | 02/04/2005 | 198cm | 77kg

Efficiency was McCormack’s game, as he proved terrific fold for Walter in the Allies’ attacking 50. He owned his moments, kicking 11 goals from a combined 18 disposals and 10 marks in the four games. His best effort was a bag of four against Western Australia, and he had a knack for splitting the big sticks from all kinds of awkward angles. The athletic big man would have truly put his name on the Giants’ radar with his performances, looking like one of the club’s most promising academy products this year.

#31 Tom Beaumont (Launceston/Tasmania Devils)
Midfielder/Forward | 01/05/2005 | 186cm | 93kg

He may have only been called upon for one game, but Beaumont did just about all he could to muster highly respectable numbers of 16 disposals, six tackles and five clearances in the Allies’ opening outing. The Tasmanian captain then returned to Talent League level, where he has proven to be a ruthless competitor and physical beast both on-ball and around goal.

#32 Arie Schoenmaker (Launceston/Tasmania Devils)
Utility | 01/07/2005 | 194cm | 89kg

It took no time for Schoenmaker to complete his ascent into the Allies squad, needing just a couple of Talent League outings before being named emergency, and eventually coming into the starting side for the final two games. Usually a defender who sets up play with his superboot, the Tasmanian was utilised there, on a wing, and even up forward in a busy couple of appearances. He thrived in game three against Vic Metro, booting 2.3 from 20 disposals and 10 marks to prove he belonged at the level.

#38 Patrick Snell (Lions Academy/Northern Territory/Queensland)
Key Defender | 18/07/2005 | 194cm

A Northern Territory native who boards in Brisbane, Snell built into some terrific form for the Lions Academy to ensure he would be a key piece in the Allies’ defence. The 194cm tall returned relatively modest averages of eight disposals and two marks, but produced nearly identical stat lines across each of his three games in a feat of consistency. Snell was unable to get up for game four, but will be in the thoughts of recruiters for his upside. 

#39 Ethan Read (Suns Academy/Queensland)
Ruck | 07/08/2005 | 202cm | 87kg

Read is a truly remarkable prospect at 202cm and arguably the best ruck available this year. On pure potential, he is right in the top five frame and will cost the Suns a pretty penny come draft time – perhaps mostly on the back of his championship performances. He put up stunning averages of 22 disposals, eight marks and 13 hitouts across four games, though splitting his best effort is a hard task. He beat Mitch Edwards around the ground for 21 touches and 11 marks against WA, was near best-on against Vic Metro, and lifted at the death to help beat Vic Country in game four. Take your pick.

#40 Bradley McDonald (Lions Academy/Queensland)
Key Defender | 29/08/2005 | 199cm | 85kg

Rotated into the side for game four against Vic Country, McDonald assumed his usual role down back. The 199cm prospect is lauded for his endurance base and dexterity, though didn’t quite hit his best form as captain of the Lions Academy. Still, he recently made his VFL debut with Brisbane and managed four kicks, two marks, and three tackles in his lone outing for the Allies.

#41 Connor O’Sullivan (Murray Bushrangers/NSW-ACT)
Key Defender | 19/05/2005 | 198cm | 92kg

Winning the Allies’ Most Valuable Player award from an unbelievably stacked field, O’Sullivan has also pushed right into top 10 contention on many draft boards. The versatile Murray Bushrangers talent found a home down back, where he dominated aerially but also made great decisions with ball in hand and joined in on transitional forays. He showed his quality in game one and clicked into gear thereafter with back to back games of over 20 disposals and 10 marks, finishing with overall averages of 18 and eight. O’Sullivan was a pillar down back and may well mix things up in the back-end of the Talent League season when he returns to the Bushies side.

#42 Dayne Posthuma (Giants Academy/NSW-ACT)
Key Defender | 17/03/2004 | 200cm | 88kg

Another key defender who was rotated into the side for game four, Posthuma looked as assured as any over-ager should be at the level. Though injury interrupted the early stages of his season, the Giants Academy prospect has handy athletic traits and did enough in the Talent League to warrant Allies selection, notching eight disposals and three marks in his lone appearance.

#44 Caleb May (Swans Academy/NSW-ACT)
Ruck | 13/05/2005 | 204cm

Taking on the Allies’ secondary ruck duties, May is giving the Swans something to consider as a developable 204cm talent. He played all four games after showing nice signs with Sydney’s Academy at Talent League level, providing strong fold for Ethan Read against some quality opposition. Though there is improvement left, May averaged eight disposals and 13 hitouts, yielding his most disposals (11) against WA, and most hitouts (17) against Vic Country in a consistent carnival.