ROUND 1 of the 2025 AFL Under 16 National Development Championships has played out over the last month, with all 10 teams across the two pools having taken the field once each. Before they all converge on the Gold Coast for a five-day carnival next week, catch up on where things sit.

>> Ones to Watch: AFL U16s Pool A | AFL U16s Pool B

POOL A

VIC COUNTRY 13.5 (83) def. by VIC METRO 14.8 (92)

VIC METRO claimed bragging rights over their Country counterparts in the Pool A opener for this year’s Under 16 National Championships. Played in dour conditions at Avalon Airport Oval, the match underwent several lead changes but was sealed by Baxter Sruk‘s goal in the final minute.

A host of club-tied prospects shone, with father-son guns Koby Bewick (Essendon) and Louis Salopek (Port Adelaide) best afield for their respective sides. Another Port father-son, and Essendon Next Generation Academy member, Tevita Rodan was also among the best for Metro.

GOALS:
Vic Country: M. Thompson 5, A. Blood 2, L. Petrie 2, C. Montebello, C. Ah-Mu, T. Steinfort, C. Fischer
Vic Metro: K. Bewick 3, A. West 2, J. Miller 2, B. Sruk, H. McCullough, A. Brown, C. White, J. Destefanis, A. King, O. Castro

BEST:
Vic Country: L. Salopek, M. Thompson, L. Brand, P. McKenna, C. Ah-Mu, K. Welsh
Vic Metro: K. Bewick, H. McCullough, T. Rodan, B. Sruk, A. Bakoulas, S. Law

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 4.14 (38) def. SOUTH AUSTRALIA 3.8 (26)

WESTERN Australia downed South Australia in their low-scoring Under 16 National Championships clash at HIF Health Insurance Oval. After conceding the opening two goals, the Sandgropers held SA without one until 20 minutes in the final quarter to run out 12-point winners.

Wet conditions in Joondalup made for an entertaining slog, as both sides attacked the contest with vigour and did their best to impress amid the downpour. Despite converting only four of their 18 scoring shots, WA controlled much of the territory after quarter time and sealed the result late on.

GOALS:
Western Australia: W. Blaxell, T. Warner, K. Inferrera, A. Clayton
South Australia: T. Garrett, Z. Pilot, B. Whimpress

BEST:
Western Australia: A. Walsh, C. Creyk, J. Artemis, R. Williamson, F. Tomasini, T. Warner
South Australia: H. Chapman, Z. Pilot, L. Andriani, H. Semmler, T. Garrett, Z. Rooney

POOL A LADDER:

1. Western Australia | 1-0 | 146.2%
2. Vic Metro | 1-0 | 110.8%
3. Vic Country | 0-1 | 90.2%
4. South Australia | 0-1 | 68.4%

>> SCROLL to see the remaining fixtures

POOL B

TASMANIA 16.12 (108) def. NORTHERN TERRITORY 6.2 (38)

TASMANIA clicked into gear after quarter time to kick off the Under 16 National Championships with a thumping 70-point win over the Northern Territory. After conceding the first two goals in dour Werribee conditions, Tassie kicked the next seven to take a 28-point buffer into half time, and never looked back.

While Tasmania’s bid for an AFL license has been somewhat clouded, the state’s talent is in good hands having started this campaign well and finished last year’s series in second. Midfielder Max Gulliver emerged as one to watch after stuffing the stats sheet with 27 disposals and four goals.

GOALS:
Tasmania: M. Gulliver 4, L. Heazlewood 3, W. Redman 2, S. Husband, J. Glover, M. Fugslang, C. Oliver, H. Alomes, O. Freeland, T. Bearman
Northern Territory: S. Smiler, G. Trigwell, H. Rock, H. Timms, O. Campbell, D. Mallard

BEST:
Tasmania: M. Gulliver, M. Whitney, E. Clemons, S. Husband, M. Dawkins, V. Johnson
Northern Territory: I. Herold, G. Lawford, D. Summerville, J. Sambo, H. Timms, B. Barnard

GIANTS ACADEMY 6.9 (45) def. by SWANS ACADEMY 10.14 (74)

SYDNEY Swans Academy claimed bragging rights with a 29-point win over Greater Western Sydney (GWS) in their Under 16 National Championships derby. The Swans trailed at quarter time but applied consistent scoreboard pressure with three goals in each of the remaining terms.

Manuka Oval set the scene for what was both sides’ opening outing of the series, before the Pool B action moves up to Queensland next week. Swans star Charles McLennan stuffed the stats sheet, setting himself apart with 30 disposals, 11 tackles, eight clearances, and two goals.

GOALS:
Giants: H. Donohue 3, Co. French, R. Roberts, A. Houston
Swans: M. Cairns 2, D. Marshall-Orr 2, C. McLennan 2, D. Delaney-Fielding, M. Hammoud, C. Edwards, A. Race

BEST:
Giants: Co. French, B. Macri, Ch. French, S. Crelley, A. Henderson, F. Murray-Wright
Swans: C. McLennan, D. Marshall-Orr, M. Cairns, S. Mok, C. Hardy, A. Race

LIONS ACADEMY 20.11 (131) def. SUNS ACADEMY 8.6 (54)

Q-CLASH honours belong to the Brisbane Lions after their 77-point win over Gold Coast in the Under 16 National Championships. Battling it out at Brighton Homes Arena, the Lions ran rampant with 13 individual goalkickers, all of which helped pile on four or more goals in each quarter.

The constant scoreboard pressure was driven by Brisbane’s domination of possession and field position, comfortably winning the clearance count (47-24) and inside 50s (61-22). Gold Coast had to wait until the second term to bag its opening goal in what was an emphatic performance from the hosts.

GOALS:
Lions Academy: M. Boothey 3, T. Benton 2, C. Kellerman 2, Z. Kleinschmidt 2, C. Stuart 2, W. White 2, R. Bickerton, J. Bridge, L. Ellen, R. Mackay, O. Morgan, J. Rumney, X. Salvana
Suns Academy: J. Frost 3, O. King 2, C. Camenzind, J. Hall, S. Spearing

BEST:
Lions Academy: O. Morgan, J. Bridge, W. White, M. Boothey, Z. Kleinschmidt, R. Bickerton
Suns Academy: O. Bennett, J. Frost, S. Spearing, A. Atkinson, J. Matterson, O. King

POOL B LADDER:

1. Tasmania | 1-0 | 284.2%
2. Lions Academy | 1-0 | 242.6%
3. Swans Academy | 1-0 | 164.4%
4. Giants Academy | 0-1 | 60.8%
5. Suns Academy | 0-1 | 41.2%
6. Northern Territory | 0-1 | 35.2%

REMAINING FIXTURES

Monday July 14:

Suns Academy vs. Tasmania
10:00am @ People First Stadium

Giants Academy vs. Northern Territory
12:25pm @ People First Stadium

Lions Academy vs. Swans Academy
2:50pm @ People First Stadium

Tuesday July 15:

Vic Country vs. South Australia
10:00am @ People First Stadium

Vic Metro vs. Western Australia
12:30pm @ People First Stadium

Thursday July 17:

Giants Academy vs. Tasmania
9:30am @ Fankhauser Reserve

Suns Academy vs. Swans Academy
11:45am @ Fankhauser Reserve

Northern Territory vs. Lions Academy
2:00pm @ Fankhauser Reserve

Friday July 18:

South Australia vs. Vic Metro
9:30am @ Fankhauser Reserve

Western Australia vs. Vic Country
11:45am @ Fankhauser Reserve