THE 2024 AFL Under 16 National Championships came to a close last week, with Vic Country and the Sydney Swans Academy taking home the Pool A and B titles respectively. Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards were also handed out across all 10 teams, and we highlight each recipient.

>> RECAP: 2024 AFL Under 16 National Championships

POOL A

KEVIN SHEEHAN MEDAL: Douglas Cochrane (South Australia)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

Douglas Cochrane (Central District)
Tall Defender/Midfielder | 194cm | 02/05/2008

Stats: 24.0 disposals, 6.7 marks, 4.3 tackles, 3.3 clearances, 4.0 rebound 50s

Cochrane looks a very talented type, and projects as the potential top talent for the 2026 AFL Draft. There’s a long way to go yet, but his credentials have been confirmed not only through MVP status, but also by taking out the Kevin Sheehan Medal. The Central District product is a tall defender with great athleticism and aerial ability, capable of intercepting and rebounding the ball. He also got a run in midfield and hardly looked out of place there, presenting as a true new-age kind of prospect.

VIC COUNTRY:

Cody Walker (Bendigo Pioneers)
Midfielder | 183cm | 26/01/2008

Stats: 28.0 disposals, 3.3 tackles, 7.0 clearances, 4.7 inside 50s, 0.7 goals

There has been plenty of buzz surrounding Walker already, with Carlton fans buoyed by his MVP win. The son of 202-game Blue, Andrew is also a Richmond Next Generation Academy product. He showed his wares are the top ball winner in all three of Vic Country’s games, including an effort of 28 disposals, five clearances and two goals in the championship-opener against Vic Metro. Walker is a powerful, clean midfielder-forward but also featured down back in the first half of Friday’s title deciding game.

VIC METRO:

Lachlan Hicks (Western Jets)
Midfielder | 181cm | 19/01/2008

Stats: 15.3 disposals, 4.0 marks, 3.0 clearances, 3.3 inside 50s

Hicks beat out a talented field to take out the Vic Metro MVP for his consistency and reliability across each game. He had a high of 17 disposals twice – against Vic Country and South Australia – and was named among his side’s best players thrice. His best outing came against the Croweaters, standing tall in a tough loss to post six marks and four clearances. The Western Jet is quite tough on the inside but showed he was also capable of rolling out to the wing or up forward when required.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

Lucas Robinson (South Fremantle)
Midfielder | 188cm | 13/02/2008

Stats: 24.7 disposals, 6.0 tackles, 8.7 clearances, 4.7 inside 50s

Robinson was a clear choice for the West Australian MVP after a trio of outstanding performances. At 188cm, the midfielder was a force at the contest with averages of six tackles and nearly nine clearances per game. He maintained a high level of output with two 25-disposal games; one-being a team-high total against Vic Country, while the other was a game-high tally in the loss to Vic Metro. Robinson also got the opportunity to captain his state and led by example with 20 contested possessions in the final game.

POOL B

ALAN MCLEAN MEDAL: Matthew Owen (Lions Academy)

BRISBANE LIONS ACADEMY:

Matthew Owen
Midfielder | 178cm | 01/03/2008

Stats: 32.0 disposals, 4.7 marks, 4.7 clearances, 4.7 inside 50s

Owen was simply prolific as part of a Lions Academy engine room which won the clearance count in all three games. He had most touches than anyone in Brisbane’s two wins, gathering 37 disposals against the Suns Academy and 32 opposed to GWS. Owen’s work rate both at and away from the stoppages meant his numbers spread across the board, even kicking a goal in each of his opening two outings.

GOLD COAST SUNS ACADEMY:

Archie Hill
Defender | 182cm | 04/03/2008

Stats: 34.0 disposals, 6.3 marks, 5.3 inside 50s, 9.0 rebound 50s

The Suns Academy skipper was an absolute lock for MVP honours. Few others could match his output, averaging 34 disposals with his lowest haul yielding 32 – which was still a team-high tally. He led all comers in the Suns’ loss to Brisbane and their narrow win over the NT, driving the ball out of defence with relentless run. He was not afraid to take the game on by foot and even had a go though midfield.

GWS GIANTS ACADEMY:

Charlie Harper
Defender | 187cm | 23/01/2008

Stats: 16.7 disposals, 6.0 marks, 6.7 rebound 50s

Harper seemed to get better as the carnival wore on, having had a high of 19 disposals in each of his last two outings. The tall defender started out with eight rebound 50s against the Swans Academy, but left his best performance for last; posting 19 disposals, 10 marks and nine rebound 50s in a loss to Brisbane. Harper provided great bounce out of the back with his intercept game and rebound running.

NORTHERN TERRITORY ACADEMY:

Kalen Russell
Defender | 178cm | 15/04/2007

Stats: 27.3 disposals, 8.3 marks, 2.0 tackles, 3.3 rebound 50s

Russell was a rock in the NT’s defence, having no less than 25 disposals across the three games. His best effort was 30 against Tasmania, accompanied by nine marks – a tally which he matched against Gold Coast to round out the carnival. Russell led his side for marks in each outing and worked high up the ground to help move the ball smoothly in transition, combining well with teammates on the rebound.

SYDNEY SWANS ACADEMY:

Conrad Blackwell-Smith
Midfielder | 177cm | 23/10/2008

Stats: 18.0 disposals, 6.0 tackles, 3.7 clearances, 5.0 inside 50s

A genuine workhorse in the Swans Academy midfield, Blackwell-Smith set the tone for his side’s unbeaten title-winning run. He had a game-high 22 disposals and 11 tackles in game one, before digging in for seven tackles and as many clearances the next time out. While quieter in game three, the on-baller’s work rate and strong contested nous helped drive the Swans forward with intent.

TASMANIA:

Ewan Dillon
Ruck | 200cm | 18/01/2008

Stats: 4.7 disposals, 1.3 marks, 1.0 tackles, 1.0 clearances, 26.7 hitouts

Dillon’s numbers may not jump off the page, but he certainly leaps out the ground as a high upside tall prospect. Solid across all three games, the 200cm ruckman won the hitout battle in Tasmania’s last two outings, including a high of 34 against Brisbane. He’s the type of athlete who seems to float in the air, showcasing promising range and utilising his reach to have a say at the source.