{"id":194957,"date":"2025-07-11T16:50:38","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T06:50:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=194957"},"modified":"2025-07-29T09:25:15","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T23:25:15","slug":"state-of-play-2025-afl-under-16-national-championships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2025\/07\/11\/state-of-play-2025-afl-under-16-national-championships\/","title":{"rendered":"State of Play: 2025 AFL Under 16 National Championships"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ROUND 1 of the 2025 AFL Under 16 National Development Championships has played out over the last month, with all 10 teams across the two pools having taken the field once each. Before they all converge on the Gold Coast for a five-day carnival next week, catch up on where things sit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> Ones to Watch:<\/strong> AFL U16s Pool A<\/a> | AFL U16s Pool B<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

POOL A<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

VIC COUNTRY 13.5 (83) def. by VIC METRO 14.8 (92)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

VIC METRO claimed bragging rights over their Country counterparts in the Pool A opener for this year\u2019s Under 16 National Championships. Played in dour conditions at Avalon Airport Oval, the match underwent several lead changes but was sealed by Baxter Sruk<\/strong>\u2018s goal in the final minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A host of club-tied prospects shone, with father-son guns Koby Bewick<\/strong> (Essendon) and Louis<\/strong> Salopek<\/strong> (Port Adelaide) best afield for their respective sides. Another Port father-son, and Essendon Next Generation Academy member, Tevita Rodan<\/strong> was also among the best for Metro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GOALS:<\/strong>
Vic Country: <\/strong>M. Thompson 5, A. Blood 2, L. Petrie 2, C. Montebello, C. Ah-Mu, T. Steinfort, C. Fischer
Vic Metro: <\/strong>K. Bewick 3, A. West 2, J. Miller 2, B. Sruk, H. McCullough, A. Brown, C. White, J. Destefanis, A. King, O. Castro<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST:<\/strong>
Vic Country: <\/strong>L. Salopek, M. Thompson, L. Brand, P. McKenna, C. Ah-Mu, K. Welsh
Vic Metro: <\/strong>K. Bewick, H. McCullough, T. Rodan, B. Sruk, A. Bakoulas, S. Law<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Charlie Best chases up a loose ball | Image Credit: Daniel Carson\/AFL Photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 4.14 (38) def. SOUTH AUSTRALIA 3.8 (26)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WESTERN Australia downed South Australia in their low-scoring Under 16 National Championships clash at HIF Health Insurance Oval. After conceding the opening two goals, the Sandgropers held SA without one until 20 minutes in the final quarter to run out 12-point winners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wet conditions in Joondalup made for an entertaining slog, as both sides attacked the contest with vigour and did their best to impress amid the downpour. Despite converting only four of their 18 scoring shots, WA controlled much of the territory after quarter time and sealed the result late on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GOALS:<\/strong>
Western Australia:<\/strong> W. Blaxell, T. Warner, K. Inferrera, A. Clayton
South Australia:<\/strong> T. Garrett, Z. Pilot, B. Whimpress<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST:<\/strong>
Western Australia:<\/strong> A. Walsh, C. Creyk, J. Artemis, R. Williamson, F. Tomasini, T. Warner
South Australia:<\/strong> H. Chapman, Z. Pilot, L. Andriani, H. Semmler, T. Garrett, Z. Rooney<\/p>\n\n\n\n

POOL A LADDER:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Western Australia | 1-0 | 146.2%
2. Vic Metro | 1-0 | 110.8%
3. Vic Country | 0-1 | 90.2%
4. South Australia | 0-1 | 68.4%<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> SCROLL to see the remaining fixtures<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

POOL B<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

TASMANIA 16.12 (108) def. NORTHERN TERRITORY 6.2 (38)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TASMANIA clicked into gear after quarter time to kick off the Under 16 National Championships with a thumping 70-point win over the Northern Territory. After conceding the first two goals in dour Werribee conditions, Tassie kicked the next seven to take a 28-point buffer into half time, and never looked back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Tasmania\u2019s bid for an AFL license has been somewhat clouded, the state\u2019s talent is in good hands having started this campaign well and finished last year\u2019s series in second. Midfielder Max Gulliver<\/strong> emerged as one to watch after stuffing the stats sheet with 27 disposals and four goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GOALS:<\/strong>
Tasmania:\u00a0<\/strong>M. Gulliver 4, L. Heazlewood 3, W. Redman 2, S. Husband, J. Glover, M. Fuglsang, C. Oliver, H. Alomes, O. Freeland, T. Bearman
Northern Territory:\u00a0<\/strong>S. Smiler, G. Trigwell, H. Rock, H. Timms, O. Campbell, D. Mallard<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST:<\/strong>
Tasmania:<\/strong> M. Gulliver, M. Whitney, E. Clemons, S. Husband, M. Dawkins, V. Johnson
Northern Territory: <\/strong>I. Herold, G. Lawford, D. Summerville, J. Sambo, H. Timms, B. Barnard<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sam Husband booted two goals in game one | Image Credit: Craig Dooley\/AFL Photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

GIANTS ACADEMY 6.9 (45) def. by SWANS ACADEMY 10.14 (74)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SYDNEY Swans Academy claimed bragging rights with a 29-point win over Greater Western Sydney (GWS) in their Under 16 National Championships derby. The Swans trailed at quarter time but applied consistent scoreboard pressure with three goals in each of the remaining terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manuka Oval set the scene for what was both sides\u2019 opening outing of the series, before the Pool B action moves up to Queensland next week. Swans star Charles McLennan<\/strong> stuffed the stats sheet, setting himself apart with 30 disposals, 11 tackles, eight clearances, and two goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GOALS:<\/strong>
Giants:<\/strong> H. Donohue 3, Co. French, R. Roberts, A. Houston
Swans:<\/strong> M. Cairns 2, D. Marshall-Orr 2, C. McLennan 2, D. Delaney-Fielding, M. Hammoud, C. Edwards, A. Race<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST:<\/strong>
Giants:<\/strong> Co. French, B. Macri, Ch. French, S. Crelley, A. Henderson, F. Murray-Wright
Swans:<\/strong> C. McLennan, D. Marshall-Orr, M. Cairns, S. Mok, C. Hardy, A. Race<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Swans midfielder Monte Cairns in action | Image Credit: Mark Nolan\/AFL Photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

LIONS ACADEMY 20.11 (131) def. SUNS ACADEMY 8.6 (54)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q-CLASH honours belong to the Brisbane Lions after their 77-point win over Gold Coast in the Under 16 National Championships. Battling it out at Brighton Homes Arena, the Lions ran rampant with 13 individual goalkickers, all of which helped pile on four or more goals in each quarter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The constant scoreboard pressure was driven by Brisbane\u2019s domination of possession and field position, comfortably winning the clearance count (47-24) and inside 50s (61-22). Gold Coast had to wait until the second term to bag its opening goal in what was an emphatic performance from the hosts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GOALS:<\/strong>
Lions Academy:<\/strong> M. Boothey 3, T. Benton 2, C. Kellerman 2, Z. Kleinschmidt 2, C. Stuart 2, W. White 2, R. Bickerton, J. Bridge, L. Ellen, R. Mackay, O. Morgan, J. Rumney, X. Salvana
Suns Academy: <\/strong>J. Frost 3, O. King 2, C. Camenzind, J. Hall, S. Spearing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BEST:<\/strong>
Lions Academy:<\/strong> O. Morgan, J. Bridge, W. White, M. Boothey, Z. Kleinschmidt, R. Bickerton
Suns Academy: <\/strong>O. Bennett, J. Frost, S. Spearing, A. Atkinson, J. Matterson, O. King<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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William White (right) celebrates a goal | Image Credit: Chris Hyde\/AFL Photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

POOL B LADDER:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Tasmania | 1-0 | 284.2%
2. Lions Academy | 1-0 | 242.6%
3. Swans Academy | 1-0 | 164.4%
4. Giants Academy | 0-1 | 60.8%
5. Suns Academy | 0-1 | 41.2%
6. Northern Territory | 0-1 | 35.2%<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

REMAINING FIXTURES<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Monday July 14:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suns Academy vs. Tasmania
10:00am @ People First Stadium<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Giants Academy vs. Northern Territory
12:25pm @ People First Stadium<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lions Academy vs. Swans Academy
2:50pm @ People First Stadium<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday July 15:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vic Country vs. South Australia
10:00am @ People First Stadium<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vic Metro vs. Western Australia
12:30pm @ People First Stadium<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday July 17:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Giants Academy vs. Tasmania
9:30am @ Fankhauser Reserve<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suns Academy vs. Swans Academy
11:45am @ Fankhauser Reserve<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Northern Territory vs. Lions Academy
2:00pm @ Fankhauser Reserve<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday July 18:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Australia vs. Vic Metro
9:30am @ Fankhauser Reserve<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Western Australia vs. Vic Country
11:45am @ Fankhauser Reserve<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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