A GROUP of 11 fresh faces will make their maiden appearances at this year’s Under 18 National Championships tomorrow, in an exciting double-header at Marvel Stadium. The undefeated Vic Metro will blood three inclusions against title-holders South Australia, who have made two changes.

Meanwhile, Vic Country will be without one of its co-captains as two players come into the unbeaten lineup. Opponents Western Australia has two forced changes amongst its four overall, including a pair of West Coast-tied prospects. Find out all you need to know about this week’s inclusions.

>> Rolling Rankings: Top 30 AFL Draft prospects

VIC METRO:

Sam Devers (Eastern Ranges)
Defender | 189cm | 27/03/2008

Devers looked right up to speed in his return via the Talent League last week, collecting 24 disposals across Eastern’s half-back line. At 189cm, he is improving his ability to intercept but thrives as an athletic rebounder who can bring the play forward. Devers made 12 appearances for the Ranges last year and was part of their premiership side, but underwent a shoulder reconstruction in the offseason. He looms as a like-for-like Jett Flower replacement and could pinch-hit in midfield.

Max Downes (Northern Knights)
Midfielder/Forward | 182cm | 09/07/2008

Another prospect whose campaign has been interrupted by injury (hamstring), Downes gets his chance in representative colours. It comes on the back of just one game back in the Talent League, where he showed plenty of power and speed en route to 13 disposals, five inside 50s and a goal. Although, Downes was highly productive in the first block of the season and made himself a staple of Vic Metro’s Under 16 side in 2024. One to watch given his high-impact style and traits.

Baxter Sruk (Eastern Ranges)
Midfielder/Forward | 181cm | 18/07/2009

This kid is a jet. After a toe injury sidelined him in the early part of the year, he has produced irresistible form in the Talent League, averaging 27.8 disposals across six games. His latest outing yielded a whopping haul of 37, signalling he is well and truly ready to don the Big V. Sruk is a big game player renowned for kicking big goals, as proven during last year’s Under 16 National Championships. Even with the injury and a full strength squad, he is arguably in Metro’s best 18.

OUT: Harrison Chapman, Jett Flower, Sam Harris

PREDICTED LINEUP:

B: 19. K. Parker – 35. T. Hodgson – 20. B. Wigmore
HB: 12. A. Spencer – 33. T. Bradley – 13. L. Burrows
C: 7. T. Krasna – 16. L. Hicks – 18. A. MacGowan
HF: 1. G. Dimer – 32. J. Miller – 17. A. Butler
F: 23. B. Justice – 34. L. Houndsome – 28. S. Gayfer
FOL: 36. H. Van Hattum – 6. J. Knapp – 9. G. Teixeira

INT: 3. H. Cooke, 10. M. Downes, 21. S. Devers, 29. A. Tippett, 40. B. Sruk

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

Laurence Andriani (West Adelaide)
Midfielder | 171cm | 19/08/2009

Andriani captured plenty of attention for his sheer weight of numbers early in the year, and has continued on his merry way to average 32.4 disposals and 8.4 clearances in 10 AAMI Talent League games to date. The diminutive bottom-ager scraps hard for possession and plays in constant motion, able to find the ball in all parts of the ground. He’ll likely inject a bit of speed and energy to SA’s engine room with Jack Nelson out injured. Impressively, he recently made his SANFL Reserves debut with West Adelaide and picked up 20 touches.

Ben Copping (Glenelg)
Forward/Midfielder | 181cm | 03/02/2008

Copping looks like a fairly balanced replacement for injured vice-captain Cain Florance across half-forward. He initially caught the eye in a high forward role for Glenelg, but has more recently been exposed to midfield minutes. In the last two weeks, Copping has averaged 20.5 disposals, 7.5 tackles, 8.0 clearances and two goals for the Bays. He’ll come into a winning side, but has the form behind him. At 181cm, he’s quite strong overhead, is tenacious in the tackle, and runs hard.

OUT: Cain Florance (achilles), Jack Nelson (groin)

CONFIRMED LINEUP:

B: 28. K. Matthews-Hampton – 38. M. Harris – 5. S. Tassone
HB: 22. J. Gordon – 36. H. Franz – 6. J. Eime
C: 11. J. Leys – 19. M. Webb – 18. H. Croker
HF: 12. G. Patterson – 34. J. Slattery – 4. J. McNicol
F: 39. E. Herbert – 25. A. Long – 1. J. Bell
FOL: 41. J. Janeway – 10. K. Ivins – 15. Ko. Edwards

INT: 2. L. Andriani, 20. B. Copping, 23. H. Jaeschke, 30. H. Chapman, 31. C. Bradford

EMG: 35. Ka. Edwards

VIC COUNTRY:

Darcy Harrington (Geelong Falcons)
Small Utility | 176cm | 17/11/2008

Harrington’s form has put him in the box seat for a representative call-up, and after being overlooked for game one, he gets his chance here. The diminutive utility has missed plenty of footy through injury over the last two years, but you’d hardly know it. Capable of playing along the wing, half-back, or through midfield, Harrington is a crafty ball user with terrific evasiveness and tenacity. He has averaged 26.8 disposals and 5.8 tackles per his four games for the Falcons this season.

Cody Templeton (Gippsland Power)
Midfielder/Forward | 180cm | 01/01/2008

Templeton is made for representative football. The Gippsland Power captain missed game one with a foot complaint and will only improve Vic Country’s winning side. Likely to spent plenty of time forward with stints in midfield, he’s capable of breaking games open with his explosiveness and ability to score in bunches. He can take a high mark, kick goals from anywhere, or provide a bit of grunt at stoppages. Cody Walker is a massive out, but Templeton is a great inclusion.

OUT: Charlie Hanegraaf, Cody Walker (shoulder)

PREDICTED LINEUP:

B: 2. T. Armstrong – 22. K. Nicholls – 8. W. Antrobus
HB: 3. G. Kennedy – 34. C. Snell – 19. D. Szerszyn
C: 20. A. Sousa – 4. E. Drever – 16. O. Henwood
HF: 6. M. Neocleous – 33. X. Ladbrook – 17. K. Boi
F: 10. C. Templeton – 9. W. Malady – 14. A. Elliott
FOL: 37. J. O’Brien – 5. N. Williams – 11. J. Phillips

INT: 7. M. Thompson, 18. N. Badrock, 24. D. Harrington, 26. L. Ellerton, 35. J. Elek

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

Noah Braun (Claremont)
Wing/Midfielder | 183cm | 22/10/2008

Braun had his moment in the sun earlier this year after a record-breaking 50-disposal performance for Claremont in the WAFL Colts. That game was part of the run which saw him become a late inclusion to the state squad. The hard-running midfielder is likely to line up on a wing and is a prospect of particular interest to West Coast fans, being a father-son candidate. He’s the son of 2006 Eagles flag winner, Michael, who played 228 AFL games.

Elijah Dennis (Claremont)
Key Defender | 193cm | 26/05/2008

Dennis’ name will be familiar to returning championships watchers, being the brother of 2024 All-Australian Clancy. Elijah is cut from a similar cloth, projecting as a resolute tall defender who can lock down on opponents and impact in the air. Dennis’ latest Colts performance was an impressive one, picking up 30 disposals and 10 marks just last week. With a few magnet shuffles, he’ll most likely replace Hudson Graham who spent time down back last time out.

Garrison Kenh (East Perth)
Defender/Wing | 182cm | 19/04/2008

It is almost astounding to think Kenh has been overlooked for both of WA’s opening two games. The National Academy member boasts a slew of AFL traits, with his athletic profile being particularly eye-catching. Capable of breaking the lines with his speed or intercepting with a spring-heeled leap, Kenh shows plenty of playmaking upside. Having been made to prove his work rate at training, he also responded with a promising 28-disposal performance back at Colts level last week.

Rafe Williamson (West Perth)
Defender | 189cm | 26/02/2009

A like-for-like replacement for fellow bottom-age defender Finn Tomasini, Williamson also possesses similar traits. He’s a rangy, tall and versatile type who can rebound the ball just as readily as he intercepts it. Look out for his athletic traits, showing great speed and dare along with terrific aerial range. The West Perth product has put up solid numbers in the WAFL Colts this season, averaging 18.3 disposals and three marks per his six appearances.

OUT: Hudson Graham (rotated), Lucas Robinson (groin), Finn Tomasini (illness), Ethan Turner (rotated)

CONFIRMED LINEUP:

B: 12. E. Dennis – 22. T. Brown – 5. F. Rickson
HB: 35. H. Mellody – 7. B. Foster – 26. G. Kenh
C: 37. N. Braun – 44. L. Steed – 40. J. Artemis
HF: 43. L. McGlade – 10. H. Spawton-Guy – 50. F. Yeo
F: 45. C. Maynard – 1. A. Walsh – 49. K. Perera
FOL: 3. B. van Rooyen – 23. G. Gale – 29. H. Banfield

INT: 14. M. Collins, 21. H. Wilson, 27. M. Motton, 30. R. Williamson, 47. J. Clarke

EMG: 4. C. Ramsay, 13. C. Lee