{"id":109857,"date":"2022-06-10T18:31:20","date_gmt":"2022-06-10T08:31:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=109857"},"modified":"2022-06-10T19:23:13","modified_gmt":"2022-06-10T09:23:13","slug":"preview-vic-under-16-18s-lock-horns-in-mega-representative-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2022\/06\/10\/preview-vic-under-16-18s-lock-horns-in-mega-representative-weekend\/","title":{"rendered":"Preview | Vic Under 16 & 18s lock horns in mega representative weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

VICTORIA is poised for a ripper weekend of representative football, with the state’s Under 16s kicking off this year’s national carnival, while the Under 18s participate in a pair of trial games ahead of their own championship campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> FIXTURES: 2022 Under 16 & 18 National Championships<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Under 16 Vic Country and Metro squads were finalised after previous trials, with the former taking in a 28-man cohort while the latter narrowed down to a 30-player list. Set to throw down at Ikon Park on Saturday morning, they will cut the ribbon on a new-look development championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the players to watch, Jagga Smith<\/strong> looms as an early frontrunner of the crop. The Oakleigh Chargers talent, who has impressed for Scotch College this year, is a midfielder with serious speed and skill. He’ll be in the Metro team, alongside a familiar name in Levi Ashcroft<\/strong>, the brother of Will<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> SCROLL for full squads<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main even of the weekend, though, will be the two Under 18 trial games at Avalon Airport Oval. Bouncing down at 11am and 1:30pm respectively, they aim to provide opportunity for a wide range of prospects who may press one final claim before the official carnival begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A bunch of big names will miss, including the likes of Ashcroft, George Wardlaw<\/a>, Harry Sheezel<\/a>, and the injured Elijah Tsatas<\/a> for Metro, while Country will be without locks such as Jhye Clark<\/a>, Mitch Szybkowski<\/a>, and Oliver Hollands<\/a>. Still, there are a few players of note to keep an eye on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four AFL Academy members will turn out in game one, with top-age Oakleigh teammates Luke Teal<\/a> and Matthew Jefferson<\/a> included for Metro, while bottom-agers Harley Reid<\/a> and Archer Reid<\/a> have been named for Country. Archer is the brother of Essendon’s Zach<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also in game one, Blake Drury<\/a> is a player who thrives in big games, and he has been prolific in the APS competition along with Cameron Mackenzie<\/a> this year. Meanwhile, making his return from injury in Country colours is Noah Long<\/a>, a midfielder with traits similar to Fremantle’s Caleb Serong<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game two will see another two national academy members step out for Metro, with bottom-ager Nick Watson<\/a> and Essendon father-son Alwyn Davey<\/a> poised to spend some time in the same forward line. Up the other end is Gippsland Power talent Zane Duursma<\/a>, the brother of Port Adelaide’s Xavier<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More names to jot down include Dandenong Stingrays pair Jaxon Binns<\/a> and Finn Emile-Brennan<\/a> for Country, with exciting Metro bottom-ager Nate Caddy<\/a> another who boasts good pedigree and is sure to make an impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Along with the showcase of Victorian talent, South Australia’s Under 18 side is also undergoing a trial on Friday night against a collection of the state’s Under 20 talent. In Western Australia, the Under 18s will take on Claremont tomorrow morning in the first of their trials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rookie Me Central with release scouting notes from all of the above fixtures early next week – stay tuned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2022 VIC METRO U16 SQUAD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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2022 VIC COUNTRY U16 SQUAD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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VIC METRO U18 TRIAL SQUAD (GAME 1)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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VIC COUNTRY U18 TRIAL SQUAD (GAME 1)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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VIC METRO U18 TRIAL SQUAD (GAME 2)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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VIC COUNTRY U18 TRIAL SQUAD (GAME 2)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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Mentions<\/span><\/span><\/div>