NOW that the dust has settled on this year’s AFL Under 18 National Championships, it is time to look back on how the carnival unfolded. In a historic instalment of the annual event, the Allies were crowned champion for the first time. We recap all you need to know about each states’ campaign.

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Champions: Allies
Larke Medal: Ryley Sanders (Allies)

ALLIES

MVP: Connor O’Sullivan (Murray Bushrangers/NSW-ACT)
Record: 1st | 4-0 | 174.64%

Results:
def. South Australia 12.12 (84) to 11.2 (68)
def. Western Australia 16.12 (108) to 2.8 (20)
def. Vic Metro 15.9 (99) to 8.7 (55)
def. Vic Country 12.9 (81) to 10.10 (70)

How it happened:

Clearly this year’s best team throughout the championships, the Allies compiled their best ever record – undefeated at that – en route to a maiden title. They burst out of the gates in a 16-point game one win over South Australia, before blowing Western Australia out of the water a week later at the same venue.

The title push began to get very real in game three, as the squad comprised of several states and territories combined to put away Vic Metro for the first time ever. It was emphatic, though a much tighter 11-point win over Vic Country was the game which clinched the cup – in enemy territory, no less.

Stars of the show:

All of them. Though the squad was led by a half-dozen prospects who are vying for first round selection, the Allies had a deep pool of contributors and may well enter double digits when it comes to players drafted at year’s end.

Key defender Connor O’Sullivan took out MVP honours from a stacked field, while midfielder Ryley Sanders won the Larke Medal in front of partner-in-crime Colby McKercher. Rounding out a strong spine were Suns Academy stars Jake Rogers, Ethan Read, Jed Walter.

The list truly goes on, though the Allies’ midfield depth was phenomenal. Internally, they also regarded their back line highly and had a dangerous forward line which revolved around the presence of Walter. It was an incredibly balanced and talent rich squad.

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SOUTH AUSTRALIA

MVP: Sid Draper (South Adelaide)
Record: 4th | 1-3 | 72.24%

Results:
def. by Allies 11.2 (68) to 12.12 (84)
def. by Vic Metro 5.8 (38) to 15.16 (106)
def. Vic Country 15.4 (94) to 11.9 (75)
def. by Western Australia 6.6 (42) to 10.10 (70)

How it happened:

Things didn’t quite go to plan for South Australia in its home leg, dropping back-to-back games against the Allies and Vic Metro. Some fight was shown in the second half of game one, but the Croweaters were blown away by 68 points the following week.

Next was a more fruitful trip to Victoria, which saw SA down the state’s Country contingent. It was their third game compared to the Vics’ first, but stands alone as South Australia’s best performance and only win of the carnival. A disappointing 28-point loss in Western Australia rounded things out at 1-3.

Stars of the show:

Sid Draper stood head and shoulders above more senior teammates across all four games, deservedly adjudged the side’s MVP as a bottom-ager. SA’s leaders also attempted to stand up under reasonable pressure, with skipper Will Patton and Kane McAuliffe returning solid overall campaigns.

Livewire forward Jack Delean improved his stocks despite limited supply, snaring two hauls of four goals. Adelaide fans will be buoyed by the emergence of bottom-aged father-son prospect Tyler Welsh, who booted five goals in the state’s lone win over Vic Country.

VIC COUNTRY

MVP: Harley Reid (Bendigo Pioneers)
Record: 3rd | 2-2 | 100.97%

Results:
def. by South Australia 11.9 (75) to 15.4 (94)
def. Western Australia 8.13 (61) to 8.11 (59)
def. by Allies 12.9 (81) to 10.10 (70)
def. Vic Metro 15.16 (106) to 11.9 (75)

How it happened:

Despite starting like a house on fire against South Australia, Vic Country dropped its opening game by 19 points on home turf, enacting a loss-win pattern throughout the carnival. Next was a tense two-point win in Western Australia, before returning home for two more games in Victoria.

The Allies got the better of them in a competitive outing, again losing by a tight margin of 11 points. Country backed it up by claiming bragging rights over their Metro counterparts, blowing tearing the third term to shreds in a 31-point victory to end the championships on a high note.

Stars of the show:

Many eyes were on Harley Reid coming into the carnival and despite an interrupted start, the co-captain didn’t disappoint en route to claiming MVP honours. He kicked three goals in the first eight minutes of Country’s campaign and eventually built up to more midfield time, hitting top form in Country’s wins.

Midfielder-forward Zane Duursma left his best for last with four goals in a match-winning game four performance, while Darcy Wilson showed his class in a similar role. Big bodied ball winner George Stevens was arguably the most consistent midfielder, though, and did his draft stocks no harm.

Elsewhere, recruiters were buoyed by some of the form from midfielder Harry De Mattia and defender Luamon Lual, who is tied to the Western Bulldogs. Tall forward Archer Reid also looks to be recapturing the magic of late and Finn O’Sullivan is a gun to watch for next year’s crop.

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VIC METRO

MVP: Ollie Murphy (Sandringham Dragons)
Record: 2nd | 2-2 | 125.61%

Results:
def. South Australia 15.16 (106) to 5.8 (38)
def. by Allies 8.7 (55) to 15.9 (99)
def. Western Australia 19.13 (127) to 6.10 (46)
def. by Vic Country 11.9 (75) to 15.16 (106)

How it happened:

Things went swimmingly in Vic Metro’s opening outing, raiding South Australia to come away with an emphatic 68-point victory. Heavy and premeditated rotation followed against the Allies, who were the better side in a 44-point defeat of the Victorians at Brighton Homes Arena.

Two games at home followed, with the first being another big win – this time over Western Australia to the tune of 81 points. Game four was much more of a contest and despite some early ascendancy, Metro went down by over five goals to rival, Vic Country in the final fixture of the championships.

Stars of the show:

Metro’s bottom-agers were arguably their most promising assets, though none of them played all four games. Midfielders Levi Ashcroft, Jagga Smith, and Josh Smillie gave a glimpse into the future with their dominance against South Australia, as others rotated through at different times.

Arguably the most consistent top-ager was Ollie Murphy, a rising defender who took up tasks on dangerous key forwards and earned MVP honours. Nick Watson was perhaps the next in line for his 14 goals in four games, though had a quiet one in the Allies defeat.

In terms of those who boosted their stocks, vice-captain Archie Roberts was an important cog for his drive from defence, while ruck Will Green looks a developable type. The latter’s Talent League teammate Nate Caddy struggled at times, but averaged two goals after missing game one.

Fellow marking forward Logan Morris excelled with four goals against Western Australia having previously plied his trade in defence, and Jordan Croft continues to show glimpses of his potential. Another to monitor is wingman Caleb Windsor, whose speed on the outside was impressive.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

MVP: Daniel Curtin (Claremont)
Record: 5th | 1-3 | 57.69%

Results:
def. by Allies 2.8 (20) to 16.12 (108)
def. South Australia 10.10 (70) to 6.6 (42)
def. by Vic Country 8.11 (59) to 8.13 (61)
def. by Vic Metro 6.10 (46) to 19.13 (127)

How it happened:

Western Australia entered a baptism of fire with the Allies being its first opponent, and duly went down by 88 points to the champions. The Sandgropers suffered another disappointingly heavy loss in game four, by 81 points to Vic Metro. Both defeats came while travelling.

At home, WA notched its first win in game two by downing South Australia in an AFL curtain-raiser at Optus Stadium. Defeat followed against Vic Country at the WACA Ground, though it was a rather competitive and entertaining outing against the dangerous Vic Country.

Stars of the show:

MVP Daniel Curtin was absolutely clear as his side’s best player, showcasing game-changing ability in each third of the ground. Next best across the four games were Koen Sanchez and Clay Hall, who added bite in midfield and up forward respectively, and how now both tasted senior WAFL football.

There were other stars who had interrupted campaigns, with National Academy members Koltyn Tholstrup and Mitchell Edwards missing a game each. They played important roles nonetheless, with the former’s energy up forward and the latter’s ruck dominance proving valuable traits.

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