THE 2023 AFL Under 16 All Australian team was announced last week, highlighting 23 of the best performed prospects in this year’s carnival. We profile each emerging talent with a look at how they fared throughout the championships, and what they may offer in years to come.

>> Announced: 2023 AFL U16 All Australian Team

Back Pocket: Lachlan Carmichael (MVP)
Swans Academy | 180cm | 27/08/2007

Somewhat defying his size at 180cm, Carmichael proved a strong interceptor in the Swans Academy defence and was just as steady with ball in hand. He often took on the kick-in duties and was a creative user by foot, averaging 31 disposals at 80 per cent efficiency throughout the four games. His best outing yielded 34 disposals, eight marks, and 11 rebound 50s in a loss to the Lions Academy.

Full Back: Willem Duursma (MVP)
Vic Country | 189cm | 21/06/2007

The brother of Port Adelaide’s Xavier and Yasmin, and 2023 prospect Zane, Willem is already just about the tallest of his talented siblings at 189cm. He was utilised in defence throughout the carnival and takes up a key position post here having averaged 22 touches and seven marks per game. Arguably his best outing game first up against Vic Metro, showcasing his athletic upside, clean hands and decisive ball use.

Back Pocket: Lucas Wootton
Tasmania | 176cm | 11/05/2007

A real accumulator on the last line, Wootton distributed the ball prolifically for Tasmania while also earning stints in midfield. The 176cm rebound runner averaged 22 disposals and eight rebound 50s per game, leaning on his work rate and kicking ability to make an impact on all four games. His best performance saw him notch 28 disposals (20 kicks) and 14 rebound 50s in a loss to the Suns Academy.

Half Back Flank: Harrison Wilson
Giants Academy | 185cm | 03/01/2007

One of the smoothest movers across any half-back line all tournament, Wilson’s class was displayed two-fold – in his intercept marking and shrewd ball use. He was often sighted taking grass and chaining possessions on the rebound, averaging 23 disposals at 80 per cent efficiency. Wilson was another who also rotated through midfield and looks like having strong upside both athletically and football-wise.

Centre Half Back: Kalani White
Suns Academy | 197cm | 05/05/2007

One of six Suns Academy players in the All Australian side, White comes from good pedigree as the son of 1994 number one pick, Jeff White. That means he’s father-son eligible at Melbourne – though, not Fremantle – on top of his Gold Coast ties. White played at either end of the field and was an aerial asset, rising high for plenty of eye-catching marks and moving fluently as a tall and rangy key position prospect.

Half Back Flank: Harrison Bridge
Lions Academy | 181cm | 04/09/2007

A classic half-back flanker who uses the ball with the class of most left-footers, Bridge is one of just two representatives from Pool B champions, the Lions Academy. He was clean with nearly all of his touches, both in handling and disposal, going at 71 per cent efficiency from his average 21 disposals per match.

>> Recap: 2023 AFL U16 National Championships

Wing: Zeke Uwland
Suns Academy | 176cm | 24/04/2007

Another brother-of, Uwland will look to follow elder sibling Bodhi into the Suns’ AFL side. He has already cracked Gold Coast’s Under 18 side as a small defender but was employed on a wing at Under 16s level, providing outstanding connectivity between the arcs and plenty of outside run. He hardly wastes a kick on his favoured left foot and was superb in game four with 29 disposals, 10 marks, seven inside 50s, and three goals against the Swans Academy.

Centre: Jack Dalton (MVP)
Vic Metro | 176cm | 04/04/2007

The title-winning captain and MVP for Vic Metro, Dalton was consistently brilliant in all four games. He averaged 29 disposals and four clearances through midfield with a terrific balance of clean inside ball winning and classy movement on the outer, capping off each possession with sharp left-foot kicks. His running capacity and ability to pop up for clutch scores helped Metro edge to the title on the final day.

Wing: Dylan Patterson
Suns Academy | 183cm | 01/09/2007

Patterson produced some eye-catching moments and is certainly one to watch for the future, boasting an exciting athletic profile. He was stationed out on the wing and spent time up forward, proving most dangerous in attacking phases with his speed and ability to chime in with overhead marks. He only averaged 13 touches across four games, but one of his best yielded 14, six marks and a goal against Tasmania.

Ruck: Louis Emmett
Vic Metro | 198cm | 23/03/2007

Earning the starting ruck spot in front other states’ MVPs, Emmett showed plenty with his work both aerially and across the ground. The developing 198cm tall is more athletic than strong, which suits the modern game, and also joined in on the play to average 18 disposals and six marks to go with 15 hitouts.

Ruck Rover: Dyson Sharp (MVP)
South Australia | 188cm | 23/05/2007

This year’s Kevin Sheehan Medal winner and South Australian MVP, Sharp produced some truly dominant performances to secure consecutive All Australian selections. Having done so as a half-back last year, the Croweater captain excelled as a big-bodied midfielder in 2023 with averages of 27 disposals, 15 contested possessions, and seven clearances. His top outing came in the wet against Vic Country, notching 33 touches, 11 clearances, and nine inside 50s.

Rover: Ryder Corrigan (MVP)
Giants Academy | 185cm | 14/03/2007

The second Lavington product to be recognised in this year’s All Australian team, Corrigan showed his wares as an effective midfield-forward. At 185cm, he is already a good size and rolled tackles off his back en route to averaging 22 disposals, 13 contested possessions and four clearances. He also hit the scoreboard with a goal per game and showed brain to match his brawn with shrewd passes in attacking phases.

>> Remember the names: 2023 AFL U16 MVPs

Half Forward Flank: Jai Murray
Suns Academy | 184cm | 09/03/2007

A classy operator in Gold Coast’s midfield-forward rotation, Murray showcased a strong appetite for winning possessions getting his hands dirty defensively. For all his class with the ball, he was the top-ranked tackler across both pools with an average of eight to go with his 22 disposals per game. Murray also used the ball beautifully and was hardly phased by the heat of each contest.

Centre Half Forward: Noah Chamberlain
Swans Academy | 191cm | 21/03/2007

Another prospect who has already cracked the Under 18 grade, Chamberlain was one of the more imposing key forwards across both pools. The Swans Academy member presented strongly and consistently on the lead, faring well overhead and clunking more contested marks than anyone in the carnival. Most importantly, he also booted two goals per game to go with averages of 14 disposals and seven marks.

Half Forward Flank: Beau Addinsall (MVP)
Suns Academy | 179cm | 09/03/2007

Addinsall was a standout in Pool B, taking home the Alan McLean Medal and Suns Academy MVP award. Like Murray, his partner in crime, the midfielder-forward won the ball prolifically on the back of strong work rate and footy smarts. He was also impactful in front of goal with his standout performance yielding a bag of five against Tasmania, complimenting his averages of 28 disposals and eight tackles per game.

Forward Pocket: Oliver Greeves
Vic Metro | 190cm | 07/02/2007

Drawing comparisons to fellow Eastern Ranges prospect and 2022 Vic Metro MVP Josh Smillie, Greeves is a big-bodied midfielder-forward with clean contested craft and efficient ball use. He blended his inside game with productivity on the attack, showcased best in an effort of 27 disposals, nine clearances, seven inside 50s and three goals against South Australia in the wet. He could have been an MVP contender had he not missed half of game one with a corkie.

Full Forward: Archie Ludowyke
Vic Metro | 193cm | 19/11/2007

A tall forward with serious hops, Ludowyke soared for a few memorable marks inside Metro’s attacking 50. The 193cm talent also provided a chop-out in the ruck, such is his leaping ability, and had an impact which defied his relatively modest numbers. Ludowyke averaged 10 disposals, three marks, and a tick under two goals per his three matches.

Forward Pocket: Basil Hart (MVP)
Western Australia | 183cm | 18/01/2007

The game-winner against South Australia in game one and subsequent MVP, Hart is another prospect whose impact defied his stat lines. The crafty forward copped a knock in game two and spent plenty of time deep inside 50, but leant on his sharp turn of speed and smarts around goal to score when it mattered. He ended up with multiple majors in each game, including a high of three against the Croweaters.

>> Profiled: The title-winning Allies U18 squad

Interchange: Daniel Annable (MVP)
Lions Academy | 183cm | 05/04/2007

Captain and MVP for the title-winning Lions Academy in Pool B, Annable translated his consistent Talent League form to the Under 16 level. He is a true accumulator on the inside, able to burrow down at the contest and run hard all day to claim averages of 30 disposals, five clearances, and seven tackles. The hard-working midfielder saved his best effort for last with 35 disposals, six clearances and 11 inside 50s against the Northern Territory.

Interchange: Lachy Dovaston
Vic Metro | 175cm | 29/05/2007

A small who brings great energy, Dovaston would usually rotate through midfield and up forward but ended up finding a home on the wing. The busy ball winner sparked Vic Metro into countless attacks with his sharp step to evade traffic, and driving outside run. He averaged 20 disposals per game and built up to his level in the Queensland portion of the carnival.

Interchange: Jasper Hay (MVP)
Tasmania | 199cm | 10/05/2007

One of three state MVPs to feature on the interchange, Hay is also one of the many highly developable talls to earn All Australian honours. The standout Tasmanian utilised his springy leap to win 23 hitouts per game, but was also impressive around the ground with an ability to cover territory and pop up with strong overhead marks.

Interchange: Taj Murray (MVP)
Northern Territory | 199cm | 05/02/2007

In what was a tough campaign for the Northern Territory, Murray was a shining light and perhaps his side’s most promising draft prospect for the future. The 199cm ruckman enjoyed a strong Queensland leg of the carnival with strong outings against the GWS and Brisbane academies, averaging 13 disposals and 16 hitouts overall while producing promising moments.

Interchange: Joshua Reichelt
South Australia | 180cm | 18/06/2007

The second of South Australia’s All Australian representatives, Reichelt racked up big numbers behind the ball to average 25 disposals and six rebound 50s. He was a composed part of the Croweaters’ defence, mopping up in the air and at ground level before making good decisions to go at 76 per cent disposal efficiency throughout the championships.

Coach: Andrew Sturgess (Vic Metro)

A measured and considerate mentor, Sturgess was named the All Australian coach after guiding Vic Metro to the Pool A title. He spoke glowingly of his side, and the efforts of all parents and mentors of participating athletes. Sturgess is also coach of the Calder Cannons Under 18 boys team, who sit fourth in the Coates Talent League at 6-3.