SOUTH Australia kicked off the 2025 Under 18 National Championships with a boilover win on the road against the Allies. The Croweaters answered every Allies surge to win by seven points at Blacktown International Sportspark, upsetting the title favourites who were plucky throughout Sunday’s game.

Twin talls Aidan Schubert and Mitchell Marsh booted four goals apiece for the victors, an effort matched by Northern Territory native Taj Murray who ironically represents North Adelaide in the SANFL. We took note of their feats, and those of a bunch of prospects from either side in the thrilling series-opener.

ALLIES 2.4 | 5.6 | 9.8 | 11.10 (76)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA 4.3 | 8.3 | 10.8 | 12.11 (83)

GOALS:
Allies: T. Murray 4, R. Hamilton 3, J. Miller 3, R. Corrigan
South Australia: M. Marsh 4, A. Schubert 4, H. Barker 2, C. Nairn, Z. Peucker

BEST:
Allies: D. Annable, T. Murray, D. Patterson, L. Carmichael, K. Coulson, J. Miller
South Australia: A. Schubert, M. Marsh, S. Ainsworth, H. Barker, L. Candy, D. Sharp

ALLIES:

#4 Jack Miller (North Hobart/Tasmania)
Forward | 181cm | 13/04/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 3 goals

Miller is just about the only specialist small forward in the Allies squad and executed his role brilliantly. The deadeye goalkicker booted three majors with clinical finishing, including the game’s first on the run. He slotted another in the opening quarter with a well judged set shot against the boundary, on the wrong side for a right-footer. Miller went on to work into dangerous positions over the back or when presenting up the ground, proving to be one of his side’s best connection pieces into attacking 50. His quick snap over the shoulder in term four left a lasting memory.

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

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 tackles, 7 clearances

Addinsall won a game-high seven clearances, including four at the centre bounces where the Allies were beaten 18-6. He always found a way to shark the ball cleanly and find exits out of the middle, wheeling around the back of the stoppage before delivering sharp passes on either foot. Addinsall’s movement and high level smarts translated to his hard work around the ground, where he was able to get involved in the Allies’ transitional play and combined well with teammates between the arcs.

#7 Dylan Patterson (Suns Academy/Queensland)
Wing | 183cm | 01/09/2007

Stats: 23 disposals, 6 marks, 4 rebound 50s

Patterson facilitated much of the Allies’ transitional ball movement as he tracked back to begin possession chains, and adopted a direct playmaking style. He broke the lines with his dash and dare, taking on the corridor or outside channels in typically explosive bursts. Late in the game, Patterson displayed great game awareness to take a more direct approach, utilising his penetrative kicking to take metres and deliver the ball with aggressive intent.

#8 Koby Coulson (Suns Academy/Queensland)
Midfielder | 180cm | 31/07/2007

Stats: 29 disposals, 4 tackles, 5 inside 50s

Coulson took to the speed of representative football by bringing his usual intent and attack on the contest. He could often be seen burrowing hard for the loose ball and ending up at the bottom of packs, ensuring opponents felt his presence. The midfielder can tend to rush and dump the ball out at times, but manufactured some useful forward handballs and seemed to become more measured by foot as the game wore on. If he can get that right, he ticks plenty of other boxes.

#10 Lachlan Carmichael (Swans Academy/NSW)
Defender | 183cm | 27/08/2007

Stats: 21 disposals, 7 marks, 3 rebound 50s

Carmichael was the Allies’ primary playmaker out of defence, complimenting his rebound work with some gutsy intercepts. The Swans Academy gun took up high positions and worked hard to be a constant outlet on the overlap, supporting his teammates all the way during attacking phases. Carmichael provided plenty of run and while his usually sharp ball use was not always on song, he fought hard to win the ball back. That included six marks in an immense second half.

#20 Daniel Annable (Lions Academy/Queensland)
Midfielder | 183cm | 04/05/2007

Stats: 28 disposals, 5 tackles, 8 inside 50s

Best afield for the losing side, Annable continues to stamp his credentials as a top five prospect. A bull at the contest like Coulson who can spread and accumulate on the outside like Addinsall or Patterson, the Queenslander showcased his well-roundedness once again. Annable dished out the assist for Miller’s opening goal on all fours and went on to be involved in plenty of transitional play. His kicking was hit or miss with a lack of genuine pace under pressure, but at his best he darted an inboard pass for Patterson to take off through the corridor. Annable even shook off a collision with the umpire to rack up 24 uncontested possessions in a display of his work rate.

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

Stats: 10 disposals, 3 marks, 2 behinds

King has some of the greatest upside in the draft pool and while his numbers were down, he did some typically freakish things on Sunday. He fared well as a mobile forward who could beat his opponent up the ground and impact aerially. King took a couple of terrific high-flying marks and showed his dynamism to also scoop the ball up below his knees at pace. One of his best grabs came off a set shot which fell short in the pocket, where King flew above the pack. He was unable to convert his chances but looked dangerous and used his size with a good run in midfield.

#28 Riley Hamilton (Giants Academy/ACT)
Forward | 189cm | 15/08/2006

Stats: 8 disposals, 2 marks, 3 goals

Among the Allies’ dangerous trio of multiple goalkickers, Hamilton ended with three and was a constantly dangerous avenue to goal. Most of his touches were designed to score, with two of his majors coming in term three to help keep the Allies in touch of the lead. While able to convert three second half majors, Hamilton was also erratic at times and could well have had a couple more goals.

#41 Taj Murray (North Adelaide/Northern Territory)
Ruck/Key Forward | 199cm | 02/05/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 15 hitouts, 4 goals

Booting a team-high four goals, Murray scored in bunches to put pressure on South Australia’s lead. He started out in the ruck, winning 15 hitouts with a combination of his reach and spring-heeled leap. Murray also competed hard on the follow-up and proved a dangerous target one-out inside 50. When he wasn’t marking on the end of a lead or bringing the ball to ground, he showed great touch to slot a snap and dribble goal respectively. Murray’s dribbler was particularly special, as he came to life with consecutive majors in both the third and fourth quarters.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

#2 Jack Cook (Woodville-West Torrens)
Defender/Midfielder | 181cm | 02/07/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 marks, 2 inside 50s

Cook was a busy member of South Australia’s midfield rotation, staying on the move and helping manufacture clean stoppage exits. He looked to utilise his punchy kicking skills more often than not, going by foot with 11 of his 16 disposals, which suited his work both in defence and midfield. Cook was most effective as the second possession receiver at stoppages, where he would support SA’s inside ball winners and drive his legs into space before finding a kick.

#7 Louis Kellaway (Sturt)
Midfielder | 180cm | 16/03/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50s

Featuring among SA’s deep on-ball group, Kellaway started out with a turnover kick but got better as the game wore on. The Richmond father-son prospect provided good run through the middle of the ground, linking up with teammates to impact multiple times in single passages. He was efficient by hand and foot – especially with short passes on the run – and provided strong work rate outside of the stoppages. He balanced his craft well with equal contested and uncontested possessions.

#14 Luke Candy (Glenelg)
Defender | 184cm | 16/05/2007

Stats: 23 disposals, 3 marks, 4 clearances

Candy topped South Australia’s disposal charts in a productive day off half-back. He worked hard off the square to provide overlap run and drive his side forward with each possession, showcasing flashes of dash and dare. A costly early turnover didn’t impact his confidence to bounce and back his speed on the attack, sparking plenty of forward forays with a distinct upright running style.

#17 Jett Dahlitz (Sturt)
Defender | 187cm | 11/08/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 marks, 8 rebound 50s

Much like Candy, Dahlitz was among South Australia’s main defensive distributors and did his best work by foot. With 14 kicks and eight rebound 50s among his 16 disposals, the Sturt defender ran at a terrific 86 per cent disposal efficiency. He would often be sighted following up his kick-ins to get the ball back, or providing an outlet in space to run and spark SA’s transitional play.

#24 Harley Barker (Sturt)
Wing/Forward | 187cm | 02/05/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals

Combining with fellow National Academy member Matthew LeRay to form an enviable wing pairing, Barker impressed with his running ability. He also impacted on a forward rotation, booting consecutive goals during the second quarter to consolidate his side’s lead. Barker’s work rate to get over the back was dangerous, as was his ability to step around opponents and possess the ball in good launch zones. His kicking can be a weapon when executed well.

#25 Matthew LeRay (Central District)
Wing | 189cm | 22/02/2007

Stats: 15 disposals, 8 marks, 3 inside 50s

Much like his partner in crime on the opposite wing, LeRay’s work rate was outstanding. He has sought to improve his running capacity this year and proved as much by tracking up and down the line all day. LeRay connected the thirds with his eight marks and disposal off both feet, able to reliably penetrate the forward 50. His pressure was also outstanding at times, applying desperate double efforts to get a tick for endeavour and athletic ability.

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

Stats: 11 disposals, 7 marks, 4 goals

Perhaps the South Australian prospect best poised to boom, Marsh was a constant thorn in the Allies’ side. His speed off the mark made him difficult to contain on the lead, where he reliably found separation to his opponent to reel the ball in comfortably. Marsh’s aerial ability and booming kick were threatening within 60 metres of goal, and particularly inside 50 where he converted four set shots. Having some of the attention stolen by Aidan Schubert helped him shine.

#29 Dyson Sharp (Central District)
Midfielder | 187cm | 23/05/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 6 tackles, 6 clearances

A first possession winner who allows others to shine, Sharp led from the front in South Australia’s midfield. Half of his possessions were contested and he fed his teammates with six clearances, playing in a no-frills manner no matter where he found the footy. Sharp’s vision was terrific and while a few inboard kicks didn’t quite come off, he had the right idea. He showed a willingness to put the team on his back by winning the first centre clearance of term four and utilised a direct approach when resting forward, able to move the ball on quickly.

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

Stats: 15 disposals, 8 marks, 4 goals

Schubert was the star of the day with a bag of four goals and dominant aerial feats. He owned front position and timed his short leads nicely to take several clean marks inside 50, using his reach to pluck the ball out in front or overhead. Schubert’s finishing was a touch erratic in open play and he burned a few teammates, but was generally reliable over the mark to make the Allies pay. The 198cm prospect also spent time in the ruck to break up his goalkicking clinic.

#40 Sam Ainsworth (Norwood)
Ruck | 198cm | 12/08/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 20 hitouts, 6 clearances

Ainsworth has produced a terrific first half of the year and showed out in his state debut. The undersized ruck competed hard on the follow-up to win 12 contested possessions and six clearances – team-highs in both departments. He also built into his aerial work against 200cm opposition rucks, staying involved in the contest with plenty of intent and vigour. While staking his claim as a ruck this year, Ainsworth has also applied his craft down back as a junior.