THE ALLIES head into this year’s Under 18 National Championships carrying the tag of red-hot title favourites, looking to repeat the feats of their 2023 contemporaries. With an enviable depth of top-end talent and plenty of tall timbre, can the Allies go all the way once again?

>> FULL SQUAD: 2025 Allies Under 18s

BREAKDOWN

TOP-END TALENT:
AFL Academy (8): Beau Addinsall, Lachlan Carmichael, Daniel Annable, Dylan Patterson, Noah Chamberlain, Jasper Hay, Kalani White, Taj Murray
VFL experience (6): Beau Addinsall, Cooper Collins, Koby Coulson, Riley Hamilton, Dylan Patterson, Caleb Nancarrow

AGE PROFILE:
Bottom-age (2008-born): 0
Top-age (2007-born): 24
Over-age (2006-born): 2

BY STATE/TERRITORY:
Northern Territory: 1
NSW/ACT: 10
Queensland: 11
Tasmania: 4

SQUAD NUMBERS

4. Jack Miller, 5. Beau Addinsall, 8. Koby Coulson, 9. Lucas Wootton, 10. Lachlan Carmichael, 15. Harrison Bridge, 19. Harrison Wilson, 20. Daniel Annable, 21. Caleb Nancarrow, 22. Tallis McMillan, 23. Dylan Patterson, 24. Max King, 25. Grady Turner, 26. Cooper Collins, 27. Toby Callow, 28. Riley Hamilton, 29. Ryder Corrigan, 30. Noah Chamberlain, 31. Kaiden McNamara, 32. Harry Kyle, 37. Jasper Hay, 38. Kalani White, 39. Jim Houston, 41. Taj Murray, 43. Jonah Harris, 44. Isaac Waller

FIXTURE

vs. South Australia | Saturday June 1, 12pm AEST @ Blacktown ISP
vs. Western Australia | Sunday June 29, 1pm AEST @ TBC (Victoria)
vs. Vic Country | Saturday July 5, 12:15pm AEST @ IKON Park
vs. Vic Metro | Sunday July 13, 10:30am AEST @ Brighton Homes Arena

>> ANALYSIS: Why the 2025 Allies can repeat history

SQUAD STRENGTHS

The Allies boast an incredibly tall squad, with 14 of the 26 selected players measuring up at over 189cm. Needless to say, they’ll be strong aerially with a good depth of genuine key position talent and versatile hybrid types who can chop out to support them.

In terms of ruck options, 200cm Suns Academy unit Jonah Harris looks most suited to the starting spot, with mobile Lions bigman Isaac Waller supporting him from up forward along with high-flyer Taj Murray. The Giants’ Jim Houston is another competitive option, albeit slightly undersized at 196cm.

It’s ridiculous to think that the likely key defensive pairing of Jasper Hay and Kalani White could also go through the ruck. White is just as likely to line up at the other end of the ground, especially with the presence of fellow Suns Academy prospects Grady Turner and Caleb Nancarrow in the squad.

Up forward, Max King will be a tough matchup with his athleticism at 192cm, while dynamic Giants pair Riley Hamilton and Tallis McMillan are also among the 189cm-plus club. If the Allies’ strong midfield gets going with quick supply, look out, if it doesn’t they have ample coverage down back.

Obviously the Allies’ top-end talent has been widely spoken about. A ridiculous eight National Academy members are in the squad, not including Zeke Uwland, while King should arguably also be in there as a nailed-on top 10 prospect. They’re stacked, and no one can match that spread of talent.

Another area where the Allies will thrive is in the rebounding department. 2024 representative Lachlan Carmichael leads a crop of running defenders which includes Swans Academy teammates Harry Kyle and Kaiden McNamara, along with Harrison Bridge, Harrison Wilson, and possibly Dylan Patterson.

Perhaps the only weak point of the squad is in the small forward department. Tasmanian Jack Miller fills the void to an extent as a genuine goal threat, though maybe midfielders like Patterson and Koby Coulson can play the high or pressure forward role. Lucas Wootton would be a good option too.

STAR POWER

With eight National Academy members and four top 10 prospects running around, it’s fair to say the Allies have more star power than any other squad. Consistent accumulators Daniel Annable and Beau Addinsall offer substance to the flair of Dylan Patterson and Max King, while Swans Academy guns Noah Chamberlain and Lachlan Carmichael have long been regarded as top 25 talents. Good luck beating that.

POTENTIAL RISERS

A number of prospects fit into this category, but perhaps recruiters will have their keenest eye on Gold Coast’s depth of talent. Outside of Uwland, Patterson, Addinsall, and White, the likes of Koby Coulson and Cooper Collins have been talked up for some time. Add to the mix rising ruck Jonah Harris and defender Grady Turner, and there is simply too much depth for the Suns to retain – surely.

WHO’S MISSING?

A trio of likely starting 18 players are likely to miss the entire series, if not the remainder of the year through injury. The most high profile of the lot is Zeke Uwland, who was the only bottom-aged All-Australian last year and remains a top three prospect despite not getting on the park in 2025. He and key forward Liam Hetherton were not named due to respective back injuries. Another Suns Academy gun, Jai Murray, was ruled out with an ankle injury after starting the year in top form.

BEST LINEUP

B: L. Carmichael – K. White – H. Wilson
HB: H. Bridge – J. Hay – H. Kyle
C: D. Patterson – D. Annable – N. Chamberlain
HF: C. Collins – T. Murray – M. King
F: J. Miller – I. Waller – R. Hamilton
FOL: J. Harris – B. Addinsall – K. Coulson

INT: T. Callow, R. Corrigan, J. Houston, T. McMillan, K. McNamara, C. Nancarrow, G. Turner, L. Wootton

HOW THEY STACK UP

The Allies stack up comfortably above the rest on paper, but football is played on grass. They usually take some time to jell and despite the enviable depth of talent, that should be no different this year. A first-up meeting with South Australia will be tough, likely to prove important in the title race with the Croweaters shaping up quite nicely amongst the remaining competitors. The Allies cannot take anything for granted and are missing key personnel, but have more than enough to beat all comers.