THE 2024 AFL Under 18 All Australian team has been announced today, featuring eight prospects out of the title-winning Vic Metro side. The Big V clinched the cup from their Country contemporaries in Sunday’s thrilling decider at Marvel Stadium, with a kick after the siren.

Among Metro’s representatives is the game-winner himself, Luke Trainor, who features at full-back. Joint Larke Medallists Harvey Langford (Vic Country) and Leo Lombard (Allies) have both been named at the heart of the team, along with Vic Metro captain Jagga Smith, who retains said title.

Lombard is one of five Allies to have earned selection, with Langford’s Vic Country having the same amount of representatives. The former’s Gold Coast Academy teammate Zeke Uwland is the sole bottom-ager to make the cut this year and looms as a top prospect for 2025.

The hard-running utility will look to follow in the footsteps of Brisbane Lions father-son gun Levi Ashcroft (Vic Metro) and South Australian skipper Sid Draper, who have become two-time Under 18 All Australians. Both are considered top five candidates ahead of the AFL Draft.

Along with the likes of Lombard, Uwland, and Ashcroft, another four players are already tied to AFL clubs. South Australian MVP Ben Camporeale is father-son eligible for Carlton, while Allies teammates Samuel Marshall (Brisbane) and Logan Smith (GWS) are Northern Academy products.

Essendon fans will be buoyed by the selection of Next Generation Academy prospect Isaac Kako in the forward pocket, with talk of the AFL adjusting bidding rules to the Bombers’ advantage this year. The energetic goalsneak is yet another member of Vic Metro’s talented squad.

After a consistently competitive carnival, Western Australia had two players earn All Australian recognition. Captain and top prospect Bo Allan was named on the wing, while unheralded key defender Clancy Dennis has been rewarded for a resolute campaign to feature at centre half-back.

2024 AFL U18 ALL AUSTRALIAN SQUAD

B: Zeke Uwland (ALL) – Luke Trainor (VM) – Harrison Oliver (VM)
HB: Tobie Travaglia (VC) – Clancy Dennis (WA) – Lachie Jaques (VC)
C: Xavier Lindsay (VC) – Leo Lombard (ALL) – Bo Allan (WA)
HF: Tom Gross (VM) – Jobe Shanahan (ALL) – Murphy Reid (VM)
F: Isaac Kako (VM) – Harry Armstrong (VM) – Joe Berry (VC)
FOL: Alex Dodson (SA) – Harvey Langford (VC) – Jagga Smith (VM, c)

INT: Levi Ashcroft (VM), Ben Camporeale (SA), Sid Draper (SA), Sam Marshall (ALL), Logan Smith (ALL)

Coach: Rob Harding (Vic Metro)

BREAKDOWN

ALLIES (5):
Leo Lombard, Sam Marshall, Jobe Shanahan, Logan Smith, Zeke Uwland

SOUTH AUSTRALIA (3):
Ben Camporeale, Alex Dodson, Sid Draper

VIC COUNTRY (5):
Joe Berry, Lachie Jaques, Harvey Lanford, Xavier Lindsay, Tobie Travaglia

VIC METRO (8):
Harry Armstrong, Levi Ashcroft, Tom Gross, Isaac Kako, Harrison Oliver, Murphy Reid, Jagga Smith, Luke Trainor

WESTERN AUSTRALIA (2):
Bo Allan, Clancy Dennis