THE 2025 AFL Under 18 National Championships get underway on Sunday as the Allies host South Australia in Blacktown. Coming into the series as red-hot title favourites, the Allies can take nothing for granted against a South Australian midfield which bats deep. We preview the big clash.

NEED TO KNOW

WHO: Allies vs. South Australia
WHEN: Sunday June 1, 12:00pm AEST
WHERE: Blacktown International Sportspark
WATCH: Live stream via AFL website & app

PREDICTED LINEUPS

ALLIES:

B: #21 C. Nancarrow – #37 J. Hay – #10 L. Carmichael
HB: #32 H. Kyle – #38 K. White – #15 H. Bridge 
C: #7 D. Patterson – #20 D. Annable – #30 N. Chamberlain
HF: #24 M. King – #41 T. Murray – #28 R. Hamilton
F: #4 J. Miller – #40 I. Waller – #9 L. Wootton
FOL: #39 J. Houston – #5 B. Addinsall – #8 K. Coulson

INT: #19 H. Wilson, #25 G. Turner, #27 T. Callow, #29 R. Corrigan, #31 K. McNamara

>> PREVIEW: 2025 AFL U18s – Allies

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

B: #6 J. Reichelt – #31 N. Daw – #22 B. O’Brien
HB: #2 J. Cook – #27 E. Duffield – #14 L. Candy
C: #24 H. Barker – #29 D. Sharp – #25 M. LeRay
HF: #10 N. Roberts-Thomson – #26 M. Marsh – #28 C. Nairn
F: #11 Z. Peucker – #37 A. Schubert – #3 J. Nye
FOL: #40 S. Ainsworth – #7 L. Kellaway – #16 S. Cumming

INT: #4 J. Kelly, #15 T. Alver, #17 J. Dahlitz, #23 B. Oudshoorn-Bennier, #38 B. Sanders

>> PREVIEW: 2025 AFL U18s – South Australia

ONES TO WATCH

ALLIES:

Beau Addinsall (Suns Academy/Queensland)
Midfielder | 180cm | 09/03/2007

Addinsall has been in scintillating form this year, proving to be one of the draft class’ most consistent accumulators. You can just about lock him in for 25-plus disposals each week as he glides across the grass effortlessly and dominates stoppages. The Suns Academy gun is a slick mover in tight spaces, has great smarts, and can link up with teammates in end-to-end passages.

Max King (Swans Academy/NSW)
Midfielder/Forward | 191cm | 09/01/2007

King is one of the most freakishly talented players in the draft pool and will look to put his athletic traits on show during representative season. At 191cm, he soars for high marks but is equally capable of breaking the game open with his high-end speed and attacking instincts. While there are elements of rawness to his game, King is more impactful than just about anyone when he puts it all together.

Dylan Patterson (Suns Academy/Queensland)
Defender/Midfielder | 183cm | 01/09/2007

Speaking of game-breakers, Patterson is capable of carving up the opposition with his relentless bursts of speed. He has most often featured on the wing and off half-back but is capable of holding his own through the middle, hurting the opposition wherever he carries the ball. A rugby convert, Patterson possesses a wicked step and doesn’t mind playing physical footy when required.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

Sam Cumming (North Adelaide)
Midfielder/Forward | 186cm | 27/07/2007

One of South Australia’s top prospects this year, Cumming shows plenty of quality at his best. Likely to be a part of the Croweaters’ rotating midfield mix, he’s a tough ball winner with quick feet and a knack for racking up possessions. His ability to compete aerially sees him draw comparisons to how Isaac Heeney plays, especially given he offers a strong, hard-working presence when utilised up forward.

Mitchell Marsh (West Adelaide)
Tall Forward | 191cm | 15/02/2007

Marsh has an abundance of upside and is perhaps the South Australian who could most improve his stocks at the National Championships. A high-flying type at 191cm, he possesses a strong leap but also covers the ground brilliantly well and finishes off with booming left-foot kicking. Likely to be a second or third tall up forward, Marsh is well poised to shine with some of the defensive focus shifted to others.

Aidan Schubert (Central District)
Key Forward/Ruck | 198cm | 21/12/2007

Schubert is likely to play a vital role among South Australia’s key position stocks, providing a target up forward and ample fold in the ruck. Also a talented junior basketballer, Schubert’s upside is considerable and he showed his wares with four goals in the Croweaters’ last trial game. He’s the type of tall who can impact aerially and get involved in open play, so should add some dynamism to the game.

MARQUEE MATCHUP

Daniel Annable vs. Dyson Sharp

No other matchup will draw quite as much intrigue as this one on Sunday, as two of the draft class’ best midfielders lock horns. Sharp is a player with senior state league experience whose contested acumen is utterly unmatched, while Annable is a competitor whose well-rounded game makes him a consistent performer. They’ve lined up alongside each other for the AFL Academy and had the chance to meet during last year’s National Championships – now it’s time for round two.

WHERE IT’S WON

It’s no secret that the Allies boast an embarrassment of riches when it comes to top-end talent, but they are also a very tall side. Of their 23 named players, 10 measure up at over 190cm, making for an interesting make-up. Their one point of weakness is arguably their small forward stocks, which bodes well for South Australia’s abundance of running defenders. SA has the premier contested ball winner in Sharp, but if the Allies get on top in midfield they can put pressure on the travelling tall backs. Expect both sides to be able to move the ball fluently and with pace from end to end.

PREDICTION

As outlined in our respective squad previews, the Allies are usually known to start slowly as their squad comes together with each passing game. South Australia will need to take advantage of that if it is any chance of winning and going on to take out this year’s title. It is difficult to look past the Allies’ depth of top-end talent, so they’re our tip for this game and the overall championships.