DESPITE leaving the field through injury early in game three, Tasmanian star Max Gulliver has been named the Under 16 All-Australian captain. The midfielder’s outstanding National Championships campaign helped catapult his side to the Pool B title with an unblemished 3-0 record.

>> How it Happened: 2025 AFL Under 16 National Championships

Gulliver was one of two Tasmanians to make the 23-player team alongside Sam Husband, who slotted in on the interchange. Pool A champions Vic Metro dominated with five inclusions, headlined by captain Jake Miller at full forward, and Kevin Sheehan Medallist Baxter Sruk among the followers.

Also among the Vic Metro representatives are Essendon-tied talents Koby Bewick and Tevita Rodan. The latter is also attached to Port Adelaide under father-son rules. Vic Country’s Louis Salopek also falls into that category, while Zemes Pilot is part of the club’s Next Generation Academy (NGA).

South Australian Pilot made the cut alongside West Australian captain and starting ruck Axel Walsh despite both players missing their side’s final games. All 10 teams barring Gold Coast are represented in the side, with six Most Valuable Player (MVP) recipients also making the cut.

Brisbane Lions Academy defender Jackson Bridge, named at half-back, took out the Alan McLean Medal as Pool B best and fairest. He was one of eight players from Pool B to earn selection, with the four Pool A teams represented by three or more players each for a total of 15 players.

>> Remember the Names: 2025 Under 16 MVPs

2025 UNDER 16 ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM

B: Tevita Rodan (VM) – Harvey Chapman (SA) – Gus Trigwell (NT)
HB: Louis Salopek (VC) – Tom Steinfort (VC) – Jackson Bridge (BL)
C: Charlie McClennan (SS) – Max Gulliver (TAS, C) – Taj Garrett (SA)
HF: Kai Ivins (SA) – Zemes Pilot (SA) – Duke Marshall-Orr (SS)
F: Max Thompson (VC) – Jake Miller (VM) – James Artemis (WA)
FOL: Axel Walsh (WA) – Baxter Sruk (VM) – Koby Bewick (VM)

INT: Angus Abbonizio (WA), Monte Cairns (SS), Cooper French (GWS), Sam Husband (TAS), Harper McCullough (VM)

Coach: Ash Close (Vic Metro)
Captain: Max Gulliver (Tasmania)
Kevin Sheehan Medal: Baxter Sruk (Vic Metro)
Alan McLean Medal: Jackson Bridge (Lions Academy)

BREAKDOWN

POOL A:

South Australia (4): Harvey Chapman, Taj Garrett, Kai Ivins, Zemes Pilot
Vic Country (3): Louis Salopek, Tom Steinfort, Max Thompson
Vic Metro (5): Koby Bewick, Harper McCullough, Jake Miller, Tevita Rodan, Baxter Sruk
Western Australia (3): Angus Abbonizio, James Artemis, Axel Walsh

POOL B:

Giants Academy (1): Cooper French
Lions Academy (1): Jackson Bridge
Northern Territory (1): Gus Trigwell
Suns Academy: Nil
Swans Academy (3): Monte Cairns, Duke Marshall-Orr, Charlie McClennan
Tasmania (2): Max Gulliver, Sam Husband