THE 2023 AFL Under 16 All Australia team has been announced, featuring 23 of the nation’s brightest prospects. Coached by title-winning mentor Andrew Sturgess, the squad is dominated by five of his Vic Metro champions, and a handful of Gold Coast Suns Academy members.

>> How it happened: 2023 AFL U16 National Championships

At the heart of the side is Kevin Sheehan Medallist and South Australian skipper Dyson Sharp, tore Pool A to shreds with an average of 27 disposals, seven clearances, and five tackles per his three games. Suffice to say, he was also named the Croweaters’ Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Suns Academy star Beau Addinsall took out the Alan McLean Medal as the best and fairest player of Pool B, and earns a spot at half-forward in the All Australian lineup. He averaged 28 disposals per game and booted five goals in a scintillating game against Tasmania, his best of the carnival.

>> Remember the names: 2023 AFL U16 MVPs

Addinsall is not only one of five Suns in the team, but also among the 11 Northern Academy products to earn selection. Overall, 14 players came from Pool B to outnumber the Pool A contingent by five, with the likes of Vic Country and Western Australia only having their MVPs named.

Speaking of, Country standout Willem Duursma is one of a few familiar names to feature. Gold Coast wingman Zeke Uwland also has a sibling in the AFL system, while teammate Kalani White is the son of former Fremantle and Melbourne ruck, Jeff. He’ll be father-son eligible at the Dees in 2025.

2023 AFL U16 ALL AUSTRALIAN TEAM

B: Lachlan Carmichael (Swans Academy)*, Willem Duursma (Vic Country)*, Lucas Wootton (Tasmania)
HB: Harrison Wilson (Giants Academy), Kalani White (Suns Academy), Harrison Bridge (Lions Academy)
C: Zeke Uwland (Suns Academy), Jack Dalton (Vic Metro)*, Dylan Patterson (Suns Academy)
HF: Jai Murray (Suns Academy), Noah Chamberlain (Swans Academy), Beau Addinsall (Suns Academy)*
F: Oliver Greeves (Vic Metro), Archie Ludowyke (Vic Metro), Basil Hart (Western Australia)*
FOL: Louis Emmett (Vic Metro), Dyson Sharp (South Australia)*, Ryder Corrigan (Giants Academy)*

INT: Daniel Annable (Lions Academy)*, Lachy Dovaston (Vic Metro), Jasper Hay (Tasmania)*, Taj Murray (Northern Territory)*, Joshua Reichelt (South Australia)

Coach: Andrew Sturgess (Vic Metro)

* – denotes MVP winner

REGIONAL BREAKDOWN

POOL A (9):

South Australia (2): Joshua Reichelt, Dyson Sharp
Vic Metro (5): Jack Dalton, Lachy Dovaston, Louis Emmett, Oliver Greeves, Archie Ludowyke
Vic Country (1): Willem Duursma
Western Australia (1): Basil Hart

POOL B (14):

Brisbane Lions Academy (2): Daniel Annable, Harrison Bridge
Gold Coast Suns Academy (5): Beau Addinsall, Jai Murray, Dylan Patterson, Zeke Uwland, Kalani White
GWS Giants Academy (2): Ryder Corrigan, Harrison Wilson
Northern Territory (1): Taj Murray
Sydney Swans Academy (2) – Lachlan Carmichael, Noah Chamberlain
Tasmania (2): Jasper Hay, Lucas Wootton