THE 2026 AFL Under 18 National Championships are set to get underway tomorrow, as South Australia begins its title defence over in Western Australia. Before the action gets underway, get the lowdown on how each squad is shaping up, and which players you should be keeping a close eye on.

>> NEED TO KNOW: 2026 AFL Under 18 National Championships
>> POWER RANKINGS: Pre-Championships Top 30

ALLIES

FIXTURE:

vs. Vic Country
Sunday June 14, 12:45pm @ Blacktown ISP

@ South Australia
Sunday June 21, 1:00pm @ Alberton Oval

@ Vic Metro
Sunday June 28, 11:00am @ Mars Stadium

vs. Western Australia
Wednesday July 8, 1:00pm @ Mars Stadium

SQUAD:

1 – Sonny Smiler (Northern Territory), 2 – Brynley Ryan (Giants Academy), 3 – Cooper French (Giants Academy), 4 – Guy Jenkin (Swans Academy), 5 – Lachie Price (Swans Academy), 6 – Jake Beams (Tasmania Devils), 7 – Archie Devine (Tasmania Devils), 10 – Archie Hill (Suns Academy), 12 – Cooper Hodge (Lions Academy), 14 – Caylen Murray (Lions Academy), 15 – Matthew Owen (Lions Academy), 16 – Archie Watts (Lions Academy), 17 – Henry Meaney (Swans Academy), 18 – Ben Barnard (Northern Territory), 19 – Jackson Bridge (Lions Academy), 20 – Ben Pignatelli (Swans Academy), 21 – Jake Medved (Swans Academy), 22 – Hugo Timms (Northern Territory), 23 – Ethan Matthews (Giants Academy), 24 – Charlie Bovill (Tasmania Devils), 25 – Will Morahan (Swans Academy), 26 – Mason McGroder (Swans Academy), 27 – Reece Thompson (Lions Academy), 28 – Coen Hardy (Swans Academy), 29 – Taj Murray (Northern Territory), 30 – Jonah Harris (Suns Academy), 31 – Aiden McCartney (Swans Academy)

>> MORE: Allies squad announcement

BEST LINEUP:

B: #6 J. Beams – #25 W. Morahan – #21 J. Medved
HB: #10 A. Hill – #26 M. McGroder – #18 B. Barnard
C: #14 C. Murray – #23 E. Matthews – #15 M. Owen
HF: #3 C. French – #31 A. McCartney* – #5 L. Price
F: #20 B. Pignatelli – #29 T. Murray – #4 G. Jenkin
FOL: #30 J. Harris – #12 C. Hodge – #17 H. Meaney

INT: #7 A. Devine, #19 J. Bridge, #22 H. Timms, #24 C. Bovill, #28 C. Hardy

* – denotes injury

STRENGTHS:

The Allies are blessed with plenty of athleticism and running power this year. Even amongst their tall crop, there’s a good deal of dynamism and speed. What’s more, they should be reasonably rugged with a strong presence of over-age key position players. Expect the Allies to play some exciting slingshot footy, with several prospects capable of providing link-up in transition. Their midfield should also hold up well against the best of each other side.

ONES TO WATCH:

There is often the least amount of fanfare surrounding Allied talent, but not in recent years. Star prospects Ethan Matthews and Caylen Murray, both of whom earned debuts last year, are equal parts stylish and effective. There will also be a big watch on athletic Swans Academy defenders Jake Medved and Mason McGroder, whose raw leg speed is sure to catch the eye. The Allies have access to elite bottom-age talent too – namely the likes of Jake Beams, Jackson Bridge, and Cooper French.

PREDICTION:

The Allies have the advantage of starting at home, but are faced with two tough fixtures to start in Vic Country and reigning champs South Australia. Then there’s a pair of Ballarat legs to finish. The common notion is that the Allies take the most time of any team to jell, but after a pair of trial games that factor should be somewhat alleviated. Don’t be surprised to see them take a couple of scalps, especially with bottom-age talent to lift the squad’s floor. Still, they’ll most likely finish in that third-to-fifth range.

MVP: Ethan Matthews

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

FIXTURE:

@ Western Australia
Saturday June 13, 12:15pm @ Mineral Resources Park

vs. Allies
Sunday June 21, 1:00pm @ Alberton Oval

@ Vic Metro
Friday July 3, 3:15pm @ Marvel Stadium

@ Vic Country
Wednesday July 8, 10:30am @ Mars Stadium

SQUAD:

1 – Josh Bell (West Adelaide), 2 – Laurence Andriani (West Adelaide), 3 – Blake Karpany (Woodville-West Torrens), 4 – Jacob McNicol (Glenelg), 5 – Sam Tassone (North Adelaide), 6 – Jake Eime (Central District), 7 – Zacky Young (North Adelaide), 8 – Lachie Werts (Sturt), 9 – Dean Hatedakis (West Adelaide), 10 – Kai Ivins (Norwood), 11 – Jack Leys (Woodville-West Torrens), 12 – Gabe Patterson (Glenelg), 14 – Cain Florance (South Adelaide), 15 – Kodah Edwards (South Adelaide), 16 – Taj Garrett (Sturt), 17 – Hudson Boal (South Adelaide), 18 – Harvey Croker (Glenelg), 19 – Memphis Webb (North Adelaide), 20 – Ben Copping (Glenelg), 21 – Jack Nelson (Sturt), 22 – Jack Gordon (Central District), 23 – Hugo Jaeschke (Sturt), 25 – Anthony Long (West Adelaide), 26 – Thomas Gribben (Norwood), 27 – Archie Van Dyk (South Adelaide), 28 – Kale Matthews-Hampton (Sturt), 30 – Harvey Chapman (Sturt), 31 – Charlie Bradford (West Adelaide), 32 – Dougie Cochrane (Central District), 34 – Jack Slattery (Woodville-West Torrens), 35 – Kai Edwards (Glenelg), 36 – Harry Franz (Glenelg), 38 – Mitch Harris (Woodville-West Torrens), 39 – Ethan Herbert (North Adelaide), 41 – Jobe Janeway (Glenelg), 43 – Lincoln Pitt (West Adelaide)

>> MORE: South Australia squad announcement

BEST LINEUP:

B: #6 J. Eime – #38 M. Harris – #22 J. Gordon
HB: #5 S. Tassone – #36 H. Franz – #28 K. Matthews-Hampton
C: #16 T. Garrett – #27 A. Van Dyk* – #11 J. Leys*
HF: #12 G. Patterson – #31 C. Bradford – #14 C. Florance
F: #8 L. Werts – #32 D. Cochrane* – #25 A. Long
FOL: #39 E. Herbert – #4 J. McNicol – #15 K. Edwards

INT: #10 K. Ivins, #18 H. Croker, #21 J. Nelson, #30 H. Chapman, #41 J. Janeway

* – denotes injury

STRENGTHS:

The South Australian pathway really took a positive turn last year and should carry plenty of momentum through the current crop. There is strong depth to cover a few injured stars, with the state uncovering plenty of talent at the start of the club season. The Croweaters have a very strong spine, featuring intercepting tall defenders and a dynamic midfield group full of versatility. They should have no trouble finding connectivity between the arcs and possess genuine match-winning small/medium forwards. Although, the lack of an elite tall forward is perhaps the squad’s only weak point.

ONES TO WATCH:

There is still a chance that Dougie Cochrane makes an appearance at the champs, and his presence would plug a huge gap at centre half-forward. Elsewhere, ruckman Ethan Herbert has arguably been the state’s best performed player this year and looms as a leading prospect alongside skipper Kodah Edwards. Down back, Mitchell Harris has pushed himself into top 20 calculations and is sure to form a formidable intercepting trio alongside the likes of Kale Matthews-Hampton and Harry Franz. Don’t forget forward duo Gabriel Patterson and Anthony Long, who can be game-winners on their day.

PREDICTION:

South Australia is well poised to have a red-hot crack at consecutive titles. The Croweaters will be well connected and well drilled, and they’ll certainly have to be with a fixture that holds three away legs – including both Victorian teams on their patch. They’ll miss some key personnel to injury, which could be costly in the early stages, but if they win game one they should be well on their way to a top three finish.

MVP: Kodah Edwards

VIC COUNTRY

FIXTURE:

@ Allies
Sunday June 14, 12:45pm @ Blacktown ISP

vs. Western Australia
Friday July 3, 5:45pm @ Marvel Stadium

vs. South Australia
Wednesday July 8, 10:30am @ Mars Stadium

vs. Vic Metro
Sunday July 19, 11:00am @ Mars Stadium

SQUAD:

1 – Cody Walker (Bendigo Pioneers), 2 – Tanner Armstrong (Murray Bushrangers), 3 – Gus Kennedy (Dandenong Stingrays), 4 – Ethan Drever (GWV Rebels), 5 – Noah Williams (Geelong Falcons), 6 – Marlon Neocleous (Gippsland Power), 7 – Max Thompson (Bendigo Pioneers), 8 – Wil Antrobus (Dandenong Stingrays), 9 – Wil Malady (Gippsland Power), 10 – Cody Templeton (Gippsland Power), 11 – Jackson Phillips (Dandenong Stingrays), 12 – Charlie Hanegraaf (Geelong Falcons), 13 – Levi Macumber (Gippsland Power), 14 – Archie Elliott (GWV Rebels), 15 – Cooper White (Dandenong Stingrays), 16 – Oscar Henwood (Gippsland Power), 17 – Keenan Boi (Gippsland Power), 18 – Ned Badrock (Geelong Falcons), 19 – Darcy Szerszyn (Dandenong Stingrays), 20 – Andrio Sousa (Dandenong Stingrays), 22 – Klay Nicholls (GWV Rebels), 24 – Darcy Harrington (Geelong Falcons), 26 – Leo Ellerton (GWV Rebels), 27 – Eamon Austin (Bendigo Pioneers), 31 – Jack Pickett (Geelong Falcons), 33 – Xavier Ladbrook (Gippsland Power), 34 – Clancy Snell (Gippsland Power), 35 – Jett Elek (Geelong Falcons), 36 – Nate Mensch (Geelong Falcons), 37 – Jackson O’Brien (GWV Rebels), 38 – Cohen Dent (Gippsland Power)

>> MORE: Vic Country squad announcement

POTENTIAL LINEUP:

B: #3 G. Kennedy – #34 C. Snell – #8 W. Antrobus
HB: #2 T. Armstrong – #33 X. Ladbrook – #19 D. Szerszyn
C: #11 J. Phillips – #4 E. Drever – #7 M. Thompson
HF: #6 M. Neocleous – #31 J. Pickett* – #10 C. Templeton
F: #9 W. Malady – #35 J. Elek – #14 A. Elliott
FOL: #38 C. Dent – #1 C. Walker – #5 N. Williams

INT: #15 C. White, #20 A. Sousa, #22 K. Nicholls, #24 D. Harrington, #27 E. Austin

* – denotes injury

STRENGTHS:

Vic Country’s starting midfield trio – at least the one listed above – may well be the best of the lot. There is genuine top-end talent and star factor throughout the lineup, as well as a good amount of scoring power. Boasting a couple of man mountain ruck options, keen rebounders out of defence and a dominant on-ball rotation, the Vics look absolutely rock solid. They have had a strong sense of togetherness right through the pathway and have only added pieces to the puzzle.

ONES TO WATCH:

Let’s start at the top. Cody Walker is potentially the number one prospect in the draft pool and is sure to set a fine example through midfield. He co-captains the side with Noah Williams, who may well join a stacked on-ball group alongside Walker and Ethan Drever. Clancy Snell has set himself apart as the draft’s premier key defender, potentially squeezing Xavier Ladbrook into a role up forward. Gippsland have a couple of match-winners to watch in Wil Malady and Marlon Neocleous, while Dandenong duo Jackson Phillips and Wil Antrobus are among the crop’s biggest potential risers.

PREDICTION:

It is important to note that in this age group, Vic Country won the title back at Under 16s level. They may well be the favourite this time around given their sheer amount of top-end talent and depth. There may be a question over who fills the key forward void left by Jack Pickett, and a tricky away trip against the Allies kicks things off. Although, Country is sure to finish strong with three home games, including two in Ballarat against South Australia and Vic Metro. Likely top two or three, with a huge chance at the title.

MVP: Cody Walker

VIC METRO

FIXTURE:

@ Western Australia
Saturday June 20, 10:15am @ Cockburn Central

vs. Allies
Sunday June 28, 11:00am @ Mars Stadium

vs. South Australia
Friday July 3, 3:15pm @ Marvel Stadium

@ Vic Country
Sunday July 19, 11:00am @ Mars Stadium

SQUAD:

1 – George Dimer (Sandringham Dragons), 2 – Harper McCullough (Oakleigh Chargers), 3 – Harvie Cooke (Northern Knights), 4 – Khaled El Souki (Western Jets), 5 – Koby Bewick (Calder Cannons), 6 – Jordan Knapp (Eastern Ranges), 7 – Toby Krasna (Northern Knights), 8 – Sam Harris (Calder Cannons), 9 – Gus Teixeira (Sandringham Dragons), 10 – Max Downes (Northern Knights), 11 – Tevita Rodan (Calder Cannons), 12 – Archie Spencer (Eastern Ranges), 13 – Lachie Burrows (Sandringham Dragons), 14 – Zac Antonellos (Eastern Ranges), 15 – Jett Flower (Eastern Ranges), 16 – Lachie Hicks (Western Jets), 17 – Arki Butler (Sandringham Dragons), 18 – Albert MacGowan (Sandringham Dragons), 19 – Kai Parker (Northern Knights), 20 – Billy Wigmore (Western Jets), 21 – Sam Devers (Eastern Ranges), 22 – Nic Staropoli (Calder Cannons), 23 – Blake Justice (Calder Cannons), 24 – Harrison Chapman (Eastern Ranges), 25 – Archie Fogarty (Oakleigh Chargers), 26 – Henry Thomas (Sandringham Dragons), 27 – Harrison Leeder (Northern Knights), 28 – Sam Gayfer (Northern Knights), 29 – Angus Tippett (Western Jets), 30 – Flynn Woolhouse (Oakleigh Chargers), 31 – Seb Marsic (Oakleigh Chargers), 32 – Jake Miller (Western Jets), 33 – Tyson Bradley (Sandringham Dragons), 34 – Lewis Houndsome (Northern Knights), 35 – Tate Hodgson (Northern Knights), 36 – Harry Van Hattum (Northern Knights), 37 – Nathaniel Jenkins (Calder Cannons), 38 – Macauli Buck (Western Jets), 39 – Angus Brown (Sandringham Dragons), 40 – Baxter Sruk (Eastern Ranges)

>> MORE: Vic Metro squad announcement

POTENTIAL LINEUP:

B: #20 B. Wigmore – #33 T. Bradley – #22 N. Staropoli
HB: #5 K. Bewick* – #35 T. Hodgson – #13 L. Burrows
C: #6 J. Knapp – #9 G. Teixeira – #24 H. Chapman
HF: #1 G. Dimer – #32 J. Miller – #23 B. Justice
F: #4 K. El-Souki* – #34 L. Houndsome – #28 S. Gayfer
FOL: #36 H. Van Hattum – #16 L. Hicks – #17 A. Butler

INT: #3 H. Cooke, #18 A. MacGowan, #27 H. Leeder, #30 F. Woolhouse, #40 B. Sruk

STRENGTHS:

Vic Metro has an embarrassment of riches in the tall forward department. They should be able to rotate plenty of players through those roles and keep them fresh. They will absolutely destroy teams in the air with the right conditions, boasting a blend of mobile and physically dominant key position players. Another major strength is their elite bottom-age crop, with arguably up to a handful of them good enough to be starting ahead of top-agers. As usual, Metro should also have a handy group of midfielders who can make the grade as utilities around the ground, giving the side balance.

ONES TO WATCH:

Sandringham pair Arki Butler and Gus Teixeira are the ones to watch in midfield, and have the potential to do plenty of damage. Harry Van Hattum leads a very strong group of talls, while up forward Northern trio Lewis Houndsome, Sam Gayfer, and Harrison Leeder will fight for spots alongside Oakleigh pair Flynn Woolhouse and Sebastian Marsic. Returning utility Blake Justice is sure to press his claims, as will star bottom-agers like Jake Miller, Koby Bewick, and Baxter Sruk.

PREDICTION:

Based on talent alone, Vic Metro should nearly always finish in the top three. They possess their usual star power plus an array of talls which can overwhelm the opposition should conditions suit, although two Ballarat games may bring that into question. They arguably lack specialist smalls at either end of the ground and the kind of elite midfield depth we are used to, but having three fixtures at home helps – particularly after a tough away trip to start. They’ll need wins on the board early.

MVP: Arki Butler

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

FIXTURE:

vs. South Australia
Saturday June 13, 12:15pm @ Mineral Resources Park

vs. Vic Metro
Saturday June 20, 10:15am @ Cockburn Central

@ Vic Country
Friday July 3, 5:45pm @ Marvel Stadium

@ Allies
Wednesday July 8, 1:00pm @ Mars Stadium

SQUAD:

1 – Axel Walsh (East Perth), 3 – Benji Van Rooyen (Claremont), 4 – Cooper Ramsay (East Fremantle), 5 – Frazer Rickson (Subiaco), 6 – Mitchell Stirling (Peel Thunder), 7 – Byron Foster (South Fremantle), 8 – Hudson Graham (South Fremantle), 9 – Koby LeCras (West Perth), 10 – Harvey Spawton-Guy (West Perth), 11 – Conor Bushe-Jones (South Fremantle), 12 – Elijah Dennis (Claremont), 13 – Cody Lee (Perth), 14 – Maxim Collins (West Perth), 15 – Jacob Kee (Claremont), 16 – Ben Wood (East Fremantle), 17 – Noah Hannaford (East Fremantle), 19 – Oscar Richardson (East Fremantle), 20 – Fynn Tomasini (Perth), 21 – Heath Wilson (South Fremantle), 22 – Tom Brown (Claremont), 23 – George Gale (Claremont), 24 – Elijah Williams (Claremont), 25 – Lucas Robinson (South Fremantle), 26 – Garrison Kenh (East Perth), 27 – Marcus Motton (East Fremantle), 29 – Harper Banfield (Claremont), 30 – Rafe Williamson (West Perth), 32 – Sam O’Brien (Subiaco), 33 – Robert Farmer (Claremont), 34 – Lachlan Sheldrick (Claremont), 35 – Heath Mellody (Claremont), 36 – Campbell Creyk (West Perth), 37 – Noah Braun (Claremont), 38 – Sheldon Pickett (Swan Districts), 39 – Hunter Hearn (East Fremantle), 40 – James Artemis (East Fremantle), 42 – Ethan Turner (East Perth), 43 – Lachlan McGlade (East Perth), 44 – Leo Steed (Swan Districts), 45 – Cameron Maynard (South Fremantle), 47 – Jayden Clarke (Perth), 48 – Taj Allan (Swan Districts), 49 – Kyan Perera (Subiaco), 50 – Finlay Yeo (East Fremantle)

>> MORE: Western Australia squad announcement

BEST LINEUP:

B: #21 H. Wilson – #7 B. Foster – #42 E. Turner
HB: #8 H. Graham – #22 T. Brown – #26 G. Kenh
C: #23 G. Gale – #25 L. Robinson – #40 J. Artemis
HF: #9 K. LeCras* – #10 H. Spawton-Guy – #50 F. Yeo
F: #43 L. McGlade – #1 A. Walsh – #45 C. Maynard
FOL: #3 B. van Rooyen – #35 H. Mellody – #44 L. Steed

INT: #5 F. Rickson, #20 F. Tomasini, #27 M. Motton, #29 H. Banfield, #36 C. Creyk

STRENGTHS:

WA’s starting midfield is incredibly strong and wonderfully balanced. It forms the crux of a robust spine, boasting tall depth on each line and plenty of genuine ruckmen. Size will be no issue for the Sandgropers. At the talls’ feet lie plenty of specialist small forwards with genuine speed and match-winning traits. In terms of intangibles, they should arguably be the most ‘together’ group having played the more trial games than any state side. That counts for plenty at this level.

ONES TO WATCH:

The likely starting midfield trio of Heath Mellody, Leo Steed, and Lucas Robinson features potentially Western Australia’s leading three draft prospects. Add George Gale to that mix off a wing and the Black Swans should be able to match many sides. A potential bolter in the mix is 194cm utility Hudson Graham, who can play at either end of the ground or on a wing. Of course, bottom-ager Axel Walsh is already a well known quantity and will almost inevitably make his mark.

PREDICTION:

The West Australians could spring a few surprises with two home fixtures to start their campaign. Their second ‘away’ trip is also effectively neutral against the Allies in Victoria. They should have plenty of positive momentum coming off a series of trial games, albeit having to host the reigning champs first up. A strong midfield should put them in good stead, although they have more bottom-agers than any other side and may battle as a result. They could surprise a few, but likely sit in the 3-5 bracket.

MVP: Lucas Robinson