CHAMPIONS Vic Metro have contributed a high of 10 players to the 2026 AFL Under 18 All-Australian team, with prospects scattered across each line. West Australian star Heath Mellody was awarded the prestigious Larke Medal and named captain of the 23-player side.

Named at half-back, Mellody proved to be a rampant playmaker throughout the carnival, while also showing his wares in midfield. He is surrounded by three Vic Metro players in defence, including their Most Valuable Player (MVP) Tyson Bradley. There are also four Vics in the starting forwardline.

South Australian sensation Jack Slattery has been named at full forward after finishing comfortably atop the goalkicking charts with a tally of 16. He is the sole over-ager in the team, while Vic Metro powerhouse Jake Miller is the only bottom-ager to have made the cut – named at centre half-forward.

Slattery is one of a handful of South Australians in the side, joining captain Kodah Edwards, dashing defender Jake Eime (both interchange) first round fancy Mitchell Harris (full back), and Adelaide Next Generation Academy (NGA) prospect Anthony Long (forward pocket).

Vic Country MVP Ethan Drever has been named on-ball alongside potential pick one candidate Cody Walker, who missed a game through injury. West Australian co-captain Leo Steed joins them in the engine room while Benji van Rooyen earned the starting ruck position.

Brisbane Lions Academy member Caylen Murray was the only player selected from the Allies having impressed with his dash from half-back. He took out the Allies’ MVP award after four consistently high-level performances, despite a lacklustre campaign from his side.

Title-winning coach Lauren Morecroft, who also mentors Talent League club Eastern Ranges, was deservedly named the All-Australian coach after her side’s undefeated run.

>> RECAP: 2026 AFL Under 18 National Championships

2026 U16 ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM

B: Archie Spencer (Vic Metro), Mitchell Harris (South Australia), Billy Wigmore (Vic Metro)
HB: Caylen Murray (Allies), Tyson Bradley (Vic Metro), Heath Mellody (Western Australia) (C)
C: George Gale (Western Australia), Cody Walker (Vic Country), Jordan Knapp (Vic Metro)
HF: Gus Teixeira (Vic Metro), Jake Miller (Vic Metro), Harvie Cooke (Vic Metro)
F: Harry Van Hattum (Vic Metro), Jack Slattery (South Australia), Anthony Long (South Australia)
FOL: Benji van Rooyen (Western Australia), Ethan Drever (Vic Country), Leo Steed (Western Australia)

INT: Arki Butler (Vic Metro), Kodah Edwards (South Australia), Jake Eime (South Australia), Albert MacGowan (Vic Metro), Clancy Snell (Vic Country)

BREAKDOWN

ALLIES (1): Caylen Murray
SOUTH AUSTRALIA (5): Kodah Edwards, Jake Eime, Mitchell Harris, Anthony Long, Jack Slattery
VIC COUNTRY (3): Ethan Drever, Clancy Snell, Cody Walker
VIC METRO (10): Tyson Bradley, Arki Butler, Harvie Cooke, Jordan Knapp, Albert MacGowan, Jake Miller, Archie Spencer, Gus Teixeira, Harry Van Hattum, Billy Wigmore
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (4): George Gale, Heath Mellody, Leo Steed, Benji van Rooyen

MVPs

ALLIES: Caylen Murray (Lions Academy/Queensland)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: To be announced
VIC COUNTRY: Ethan Drever (GWV Rebels)
VIC METRO: Tyson Bradley (Sandringham Dragons)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Heath Mellody (Claremont)

LARKE MEDAL: Heath Mellody (Western Australia)