ROUND 1 of the 2024 AFL Under 16 National Development Championships has played out over the last month, with all 10 teams across the two pools having taken the field once each. Before they all converge on the Gold Coast for a five-day carnival next week, catch up on where things sit.

>> CLICK the links for full Scouting Notes on each game

POOL A

VIC METRO 7.7 (49) def. by VIC COUNTRY 9.17 (71)

GOALS:
Vic Metro: A. Butler 3, S. Gayfer 2, H. Ryan, H. Van Hattum
Vic Country: C. Walker 2, J. Pickett 2, M. Prasad, S. Doherty, W. Malady, N. Williams, T. Dak Liem

BEST:
Vic Metro: A. Butler, M. Downes, H. van Hattum, W. Waller, H. Ryan, J. Knapp
Vic Country: C. Walker, M. Prasad, N. Williams, E. Drever, C. Templeton, D. Szerszyn

Vic Country earned bragging rights over their Metro counterparts with a 22-point win at Trevor Barker Beach Oval. The victors controlled much of the match and overcame goalkicking inaccuracy to salute 9.17 (71) to 7.7 (49). Vic Metro more than doubled their score in term four but it was not enough to bridge the gap Country had built. After leading by 18 points at half time, Vic Country bolstered their buffer to an unassailable 38 points at the final break and held off Metro’s gallant finish to claim victory.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 10.8 (68) def. WESTERN AUSTRALIA 8.10 (58)

GOALS:
South Australia: J. McNicol 2, Z. Pilot 2, K. Moir 2, J. Miller, T. Garrett, A. Van Dyk, B. Bretones
Western Australia: K. LeCras 2, L. McGlade 2, K. Ormerod 2, D. Newry, J. Barnard

BEST:
South Australia: A. Van Dyk, D. Cochrane, E. Herbert, J. Gordon, A. White, K. Moir
Western Australia: L. Robinson, J. Clarke, D. Newry, K. LeCras, E. Dennis, L. Steed

South Australia kicked off its campaign with a resolute 10-point win over Western Australia at Thebarton Oval. The Croweaters fought back from deficits at the first two breaks to set up the victory with three goals to one in term three. Both sides added 2.3 to their tallies in the fourth quarter to see the result sit 10.8 (68) to 8.10 (58) in favour of the hosts. Western Australia closed to within the final margin with eight minutes left to play, but could not quite carry its momentum over the line in a tense crescendo.

POOL A LADDER:

1. Vic Country | 1-0, 132.7%
2. South Australia | 1-0, 117.2%
3. Western Australia | 0-1, 85.3%
4. Vic Metro | 0-1, 75.4%

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POOL B

NORTHERN TERRITORY 7.3 (45) def. by TASMANIA 9.6 (60)

GOALS:
Northern Territory: N. Bourke-Miler, J. Hewett, T. Forbes, J. Munnich, J. Calma-Long, A. McWilliams, K. Raggett
Tasmania: R. Bugg 2, A. Devine 2, B. Barwick. C. Bovill, M. Flanagan, J. Hingston, H. McCallum

BEST:
Northern Territory: J. Boulton, J. Hewett, K. Russell, N. Bourke-Miler, E. Bush, C. Peris Chong
Tasmania: S. McNamara, R. Bugg, B. Philpott, C. Bovill, A. Devine, R. Walters

Tasmania opened the 2024 AFL Under 16 National Championships with a 15-point win over the Northern Territory at Trevor Barker Beach Oval. The Devils booted four unanswered goals in term three to set up the 9.6 (60) to 7.3 (45) victory after falling behind at half-time. A gallant Northern Territory outfit snatched the lead just before the main break, but Tasmania recovered with purpose, shuffling their magnets and making use of the scoring end to run out the stronger side.

GIANTS ACADEMY 7.11 (53) def. by SWANS ACADEMY 10.9 (69)

GOALS:
Giants Academy: H. Bronson, I. Daley, B. Edwards, B. Hilton, T. Longmire, M. MacDonald, T. Winchman
Swans Academy: A. McCartney 3, L. Chambers 2, G. Jenkin, M. McGroder, H. Meaney, N. Newman, J. O’Loughlin

BEST:
Giants Academy: B. Latanis, B. Hilton, J. Steele, T. Wichman, M. MacDonald, L. Roberts
Swans Academy: M. McGroder, C. Blackwell-Smith, P. Smith, C. Beavis, L. Price, T. Coughlin

The Swans Academy claimed a 16-point victory over the Giants Academy at Manuka Oval. In a see-sawing contest, the Swans kicked 3.3 in three of the four quarters and ran out the better side to win 10.9 (69) to 7.11 (53). Sydney dominated the opening quarter territory and built a 20-point head start, but the Giants hit back to take a one-point lead at half time. It took the Swans under two minutes to reclaim the ascendancy in term three and they never looked back, holding firm to take home bragging rights.

Fair goal from Swans Academy ruck Mason McGroder in Saturday’s #AFLU16s National Champs win over the Giants.

He’s a 191cm prospect, U15 All-Australian last year and named Sydney’s best in this game. 2026 #AFLDraft eligible.

?: AFL Play YouTube pic.twitter.com/Qnpe5r7793

— Michael Alvaro (@MichaelTAlvaro) July 2, 2024

SUNS ACADEMY 7.7 (49) def. by LIONS ACADEMY 10.11 (71)

GOALS:
Suns Academy: T. Murray, L. Kaesler, S. Murray, J. Wenzel, K. Wallace, B. Tissington, T. Johnson
Lions Academy: N. Cameron 3, H. McPherson 2, B. Williams 2, A. Watts, O. Tanks, M. Owen

BEST:
Suns Academy: A. Hill, T. Lockwood, I. Mayne, T. Murray, S. Murray, J. Callinan
Lions Academy: J. Moss, M. Owen, B. Phillips, D. Jones, C. Murray, O. Tanks

Brisbane Lions Academy got their carnival off to a strong start, defeating the Gold Coast Suns Academy by 22 points at Brighton Homes Arena. A late surge in the first quarter gave the Lions some breathing space, which came in handy as fatigue set in. The Suns closed the gap to level the scores late in the third term, but the Lions broke away in the final quarter, keeping the Suns goalless to see out the victory.

POOL B LADDER:

1. Lions Academy | 1-0, 144.9%
2. Tasmania | 1-0, 133.3%
3. Swans Academy | 1-0, 130.2%
4. Giants Academy | 0-1, 76.8%
5. Northern Territory | 0-1, 75.0%
6. Suns Academy | 0-1, 69.0%

REMAINING FIXTURES