Midfield madness: 2024’s on-ball bonanza
“When you’re looking at the next draft out it’s a bit like Christmas time.” “They’re all wrapped up, they look fantastic under the tree because you’ve concentrated on what their key attributes are, but you haven’t focussed in a lot on their character, their work ethic, and how good they are at improving their deficiencies. […]
Final day thoughts: AFL U18 National Championships
THE CROWNING moment of every year’s AFL Under 18 National Championships is the final day presentation, where individual awards – and sometimes the title – are decided. While the closing fixture between Vic Country and Metro was effectively a dead rubber this year, it remained a great occasion. Joining Daniel Curtin (Western Australia), Sid Draper […]
How it happened: 2023 AFL U18 National Championships
NOW that the dust has settled on this year’s AFL Under 18 National Championships, it is time to look back on how the carnival unfolded. In a historic instalment of the annual event, the Allies were crowned champion for the first time. We recap all you need to know about each states’ campaign. >> Remember […]
Up the grades: Draper stars in second senior dig
SOUTH Australian Under 18 MVP Sid Draper continues to go from strength to strength in his bottom-age season, after another promising performance in his second senior SANFL game. The South Adelaide midfielder had 21 disposals and six clearances as his Panthers went down to Sturt on Sunday. It comes after Draper, the younger brother of […]
Remember the names: 2023 AFL Under 18 MVPs
THE 2023 AFL Under 18 National Championships have concluded, with Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards handed out for each side and the Larke Medal also selected. We profile each of the winners, who joined esteemed company in earning their respective honours. >> Remember the names: 2023 AFL U16 MVPs LARKE MEDAL Ryley Sanders (Allies/Tasmania/Sandringham Dragons)Midfielder […]
Country crushes Metro in nine-goal run
NINE unanswered goals from Vic Country ensured it beat its Metro rivals in a stunning mid-match turnaround at the AFL Under 18 Championships today. To that point, Vic Metro looked to be the stronger side leading by as much as 18 points at one stage, before Country piled on the goals to leave the IKON […]
Scouting Notes: 2023 AFL U18s – WA vs. SA
WESTERN Australia opened its account in the 2023 AFL Under 18 National Championships on Saturday, kicking away in the second half to defeat South Australia by 28 points at Optus Stadium. We highlight some of the top performers from either side in the latest edition of Scouting Notes. >> Match Report: Sandgropers outmuscle SA in […]
Sandgropers outmuscle SA in arm wrestle
WESTERN Australia is on the board in this year’s AFL Under 18 National Championships, after defeating South Australia by 28 points at Optus Stadium today. The Sandgropers booted six of the game’s last eight goals, kicking away to the 10.10 (70) to 6.6 (42) victory in what was otherwise an arm wrestle. The two sides […]
PREVIEW | 2023 AFL U18s: Western Australia vs. South Australia
FRESH off a rousing breakthrough win last weekend, South Australia will look to round out its National Championships campaign in style with a second-straight interstate trip. The 0-1 West Australian side awaits in Perth, with the clash acting as an AFL curtain-raiser at Optus Stadium on Saturday afternoon. >> State of Play: 2023 Under 18 […]
State of Play: 2023 AFL U18 National Championships
EVERY competing side has now made at least one appearance in the 2023 AFL Under 18 National Championships, presenting the perfect opportunity to recap what has gone down to date, and who are shaping up as title contenders. We recap the four games thus far, team by team. ALLIES RECORD: 2-0, 218.9% RESULTS:def. South Australia […]