{"id":219172,"date":"2026-07-22T16:58:42","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T06:58:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=219172"},"modified":"2026-07-23T13:24:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T03:24:02","slug":"champions-vic-metro-dominate-under-18-all-australian-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/07\/22\/champions-vic-metro-dominate-under-18-all-australian-team\/","title":{"rendered":"Champions Vic Metro dominate Under 18 All-Australian team"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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<\/a> was awarded the prestigious Larke Medal and named captain of the 23-player side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>. There are also four Vics in the starting forwardline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Australian sensation Jack Slattery<\/a> 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<\/a> is the only bottom-ager to have made the cut – named at centre half-forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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

Brisbane Lions Academy member Caylen Murray<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Title-winning coach Lauren Morecroft<\/em><\/strong>, who also mentors Talent League club Eastern Ranges, was deservedly named the All-Australian coach after her side’s undefeated run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> RECAP: <\/strong>2026 AFL Under 18 National Championships<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2026 U16 ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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

INT:<\/strong> Arki Butler (Vic Metro), Kodah Edwards (South Australia), Jake Eime (South Australia), Albert MacGowan (Vic Metro), Clancy Snell (Vic Country)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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BREAKDOWN<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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

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MVPs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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

LARKE MEDAL: <\/strong>Heath Mellody (Western Australia)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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