{"id":26383,"date":"2017-06-06T19:54:09","date_gmt":"2017-06-06T09:54:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.afldraftcentral.com.au\/?p=26383"},"modified":"2017-06-07T12:25:41","modified_gmt":"2017-06-07T02:25:41","slug":"under-18-championships-preview-allies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2017\/06\/06\/under-18-championships-preview-allies\/","title":{"rendered":"Under 18 Championships Preview: Allies"},"content":{"rendered":"

THE\u00a0ALLIES are in their second year of a relatively new Under 18 Championship concept bringing together the best players from the Under 18 Academy Series (Previously the division two championships) to play against the division one teams.<\/p>\n

2016 saw top ten draftees Will Setterfield<\/strong> (GWS Giants) and Jack Bowes<\/strong> (Gold Coast Suns) run out for the Allies, playing against division one sides South Australia, Western Australia, Vic Country and Vic Metro.<\/p>\n

Last year saw the Allies bookmarked as favourites by some\u00a0for the title – but struggled coming together just before the championships started, finding it hard\u00a0to play as a team. This year; a camp as a group and two trial games in the lead up to the division one carnival will hopefully allow the players to adjust to their new teammates and\u00a0gel as a group.<\/p>\n

While the squad on the forefront isn’t as strong as last year, the Allies are expected to put up a fight throughout the carnival.<\/p>\n

Greater Western Sydney\u2019s academy has the most members of any division two side, with 12 players included, followed by Gold Coast Academy (10) and Sydney Academy (nine). Northern Territory (seven), Tasmania (six) and Brisbane Lions (four) round out the other division two sides.<\/p>\n

Among those named are first round prospects Jarrod Brander<\/strong> and Charlie Spargo<\/strong> (GWS), both of whom were ruled ineligible to be drafted by GWS through the academy system and placed on the open market.\u00a0Connor Ballenden<\/strong> (Brisbane)\u00a0is another pegged as a first round talent as one of the best key forwards in the draft.<\/p>\n

The squad also includes two father-son prospects for the 2018 draft with Bailey Scott<\/strong> (Gold Coast) who is also\u00a0eligible for father\/son at Geelong and North Melbourne, and Nick Blakey<\/strong> (Sydney \u2013 also eligible for father\/son at North Melbourne and Brisbane).<\/p>\n

[embedyt] https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7DHu5Xb0zzg[\/embedyt]<\/p>\n

Players to watch:\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Zac Bailey<\/strong> – Was one of the standouts for the Allies in their trial game against Vic Country – collecting 18 disposals, laying eight tackles and had five clearances. His work inside the contest is very good despite his small frame. Has enough speed to burst from the stoppages and can hit the scoreboard.<\/p>\n

Connor Ballenden<\/strong> – The Brisbane Lions Academy member is a strong contested marking forward who plays well out of the goalsquare. Will likely provide some chop out in the ruck for Brayden Crossley and Nathan\u00a0Richards throughout the carnival. Has a very fluid set shot routine and kicks more goals than he misses.<\/p>\n

Jarrod Brander<\/strong> – Brander is a key position tall that can play at either end. His mobility is very good and he reads the flight of the ball well in the air. Has been kicking goals for Geelong Grammar at school football – but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him play at centre half back in the Under 18 Championships for the Allies.<\/p>\n

Jack Powell<\/strong> – The GWS Academy member is a good two-way runner and is a clean ball user on his right foot. Spreads well from the contest and did some good things in the NAB AFL Academy game at the MCG. Had 16 disposals in the midfield for the Allies in their practice game against Vic Metro.<\/p>\n

Charlie Spargo<\/strong> – Small bite-sized midfielder who cracks in hard despite standing at 175cm. Wins the contested ball and is willing to tackle hard to get the ball back. Played for the Allies in 2016, with a strong effort manning Vic Metro’s MVP Andrew McGrath<\/strong> at Etihad Stadium – collecting 15 disposals and laying six tackles.<\/p>\n

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2018 names to keep an eye on:<\/u><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Bailey Scott<\/strong> – Good decision maker with ball in hand and wins the ball on both the inside and outside. Marks well overhead and was impressive for Gold Coast in the Under 18 Academy Series. Had 12 disposals and took four marks in the Allies’ trial game against Vic Country. Father-Son prospect to Geelong and North Melbourne, as well as being eligible for Gold Coast through their academy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Nick Blakey<\/strong> – One of the leading players\u00a0for the 2018 draft. Not only can play as a tall, but has the ability to push up into the midfield. Moves well and kicks it nicely\u00a0on his left foot. Likely to play up forward for the Allies. Sydney Swans Academy member and father-son prospect to North Melbourne and Brisbane Lions.<\/p>\n

Tarryn Thomas<\/strong> – Starred for Tasmania last year in the Under 18 Championships as an Under 16 player. Had some outstanding moments in the trial game against Vic Metro collecting 17 disposals, showing off his speed across half forward. Had very good vision and awareness to switch the ball deep inside 50 to find a free teammate at the top of the goalsquare. Is part of North Melbourne’s Next-Generation Academy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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FIXTURES<\/u><\/h3>\n

Round 1:\u00a0v VIC COUNTRY – June 11th 12.30pm Blacktown
\nRound 2: v SOUTH AUSTRALIA – June 17th 10.10am Adelaide Oval (FOX FOOTY)
\nRound 3: v WESTERN AUSTRALIA – June 25th 12.30pm Leederville Oval
\nRound 4: BYE
\nRound 5: v VIC METRO – July 5th 2.10pm Simonds Stadium (FOX FOOTY)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Possible Round One team:\u00a0<\/u><\/p>\n

B:<\/strong> Jake Hinds, Jack Payne, Kwaby Boakye
\nHB:<\/strong> Tom Highmore, Jarrod Brander, Jack Clayton
\nC:<\/strong> Brodie Foster, Nicholas Shipley,\u00a0Sam Davidson
\nHF:<\/strong> James Bell, Nick Blakey,\u00a0Tarryn Thomas
\nF:<\/strong> Hugh Dixon, Connor Ballenden, Jack Hardman<\/p>\n

FOLL:<\/strong> Brayden Crossley, Charlie Spargo, Jack Powell
\nINT:<\/strong> Nathan Richards,\u00a0Luke Robertson, Brendan Myers, Harry Simmington, Zac Bailey<\/p>\n

Predictions:\u00a0<\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Finishing prediction:<\/strong>\u00a04th<\/u>\u00a0– The Allies should be able to beat Western Australia and their tall forwards may cause headaches for other teams if they can win enough ball in the midfield.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

MVP prediction:<\/strong> Charlie Spargo<\/u> – The tough inside midfielder was the Under 16 Alan McLean Medalist, dominating division two back in 2015. Expect him to crack in hard and win the plenty of the ball.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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2017 ALLIES SQUAD<\/u><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
No.<\/th>\nName<\/th>\n\n
DOB<\/div>\n<\/th>\n
\n
HT\u00a0(cm)<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/th>\n
\n
WT (kg)<\/div>\n<\/th>\n
Club<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
1<\/td>\nCharlie SPARGO<\/td>\n25\/11\/1999<\/td>\n173<\/td>\n73<\/td>\nMurray Bushrangers\/Albury<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/td>\nJack HARDMAN<\/td>\n31\/12\/1999<\/td>\n173<\/td>\n67<\/td>\nSwans\/UNSW<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3<\/td>\nBrodie FOSTER<\/td>\n3\/3\/1999<\/td>\n178<\/td>\n74<\/td>\nSuns\/Surfers Paradise<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4<\/td>\nLaine FITZGERALD<\/td>\n16\/1\/1999<\/td>\n179<\/td>\n78<\/td>\nBendigo Pioneers\/Balranald<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5<\/td>\nZac BAILEY<\/td>\n23\/9\/1999<\/td>\n180<\/td>\n68<\/td>\nSouthern Districts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6<\/td>\nJack POWELL<\/td>\n15\/7\/1999<\/td>\n180<\/td>\n75<\/td>\nGiants\/Ainslie<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7<\/td>\nSam DAVIDSON<\/td>\n6\/5\/1999<\/td>\n180<\/td>\n70<\/td>\nSuns\/Palm Beach Currumbin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8<\/td>\nLuke SKRIVANIC<\/td>\n8\/4\/1999<\/td>\n182<\/td>\n74<\/td>\nSwans\/Pennant Hills<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9<\/td>\nJacob DAWSON<\/td>\n3\/11\/1999<\/td>\n182<\/td>\n80<\/td>\nSuns\/Palm Beach Currumbin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10<\/td>\nJames BELL<\/td>\n10\/2\/1999<\/td>\n183<\/td>\n75<\/td>\nSwans\/UNSW<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11<\/td>\nBrendan MYERS<\/td>\n10\/2\/1999<\/td>\n183<\/td>\n80<\/td>\nGiants\/Wagga Tigers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12<\/td>\nAdam SAMBONO<\/td>\n24\/4\/1997<\/td>\n184<\/td>\n69<\/td>\nDarwin Buffalos<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
13<\/td>\nBailey SCOTT<\/td>\n9\/7\/2000<\/td>\n184<\/td>\n70<\/td>\nSuns\/Broadbeach Cats<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
14<\/td>\nJack CLAYTON<\/td>\n25\/2\/1999<\/td>\n184<\/td>\n77<\/td>\nLions\/Wests Juniors<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
15<\/td>\nJake BROWN<\/td>\n19\/3\/1998<\/td>\n185<\/td>\n76<\/td>\nSwans\/St George<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
16<\/td>\nThomas MUNDY<\/td>\n23\/11\/1999<\/td>\n185<\/td>\n79<\/td>\nBurnie<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
17<\/td>\nJy LANE<\/td>\n21\/3\/1999<\/td>\n185<\/td>\n78<\/td>\nMurray Bushrangers\/Corowa<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
18<\/td>\nJake HINDS<\/td>\n7\/5\/1999<\/td>\n186<\/td>\n78<\/td>\nLaunceston<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
19<\/td>\nDoulton LANGLANDS<\/td>\n29\/7\/1999<\/td>\n187<\/td>\n80<\/td>\nMurray Bushrangers\/North Albury<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
20<\/td>\nNicholas HUTCHINSON<\/td>\n21\/5\/1999<\/td>\n187<\/td>\n80<\/td>\nHobart City<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
21<\/td>\nDamien BURKE<\/td>\n21\/1\/1999<\/td>\n188<\/td>\n83<\/td>\nSuns\/Cape York Eagles<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
22<\/td>\nTarryn THOMAS<\/td>\n25\/3\/2000<\/td>\n189<\/td>\n71<\/td>\nNorth Launceston<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
23<\/td>\nLuke ROBERTSON<\/td>\n7\/5\/1998<\/td>\n189<\/td>\n85<\/td>\nSwans\/North Shore<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
24<\/td>\nKwaby BOAKYE<\/td>\n16\/3\/1999<\/td>\n188<\/td>\n88<\/td>\nSuns\/Broadbeach Cats<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
25<\/td>\nHarry SIMINGTON<\/td>\n28\/3\/1999<\/td>\n189<\/td>\n85<\/td>\nSuns\/Labrador Tigers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
26<\/td>\nNicholas SHIPLEY<\/td>\n25\/6\/1999<\/td>\n190<\/td>\n90<\/td>\nGiants\/St George<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
27<\/td>\nMatthew GREEN<\/td>\n5\/5\/2000<\/td>\n190<\/td>\n67<\/td>\nSporties Spitfires<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
28<\/td>\nHarrison CARR<\/td>\n9\/2\/1998<\/td>\n190<\/td>\n87<\/td>\nSwans\/North Shore<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
29<\/td>\nMichael CARROLL<\/td>\n18\/6\/1999<\/td>\n191<\/td>\n85<\/td>\nSwans\/Pennant Hills<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
30<\/td>\nCaleb GRAHAM<\/td>\n12\/9\/2000<\/td>\n192<\/td>\n82<\/td>\nSuns\/Palm Beach Currumbin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
31<\/td>\nTom HIGHMORE<\/td>\n24\/2\/1998<\/td>\n192<\/td>\n82<\/td>\nGiants\/Marist<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
32<\/td>\nZac BUECHNER**<\/td>\n5\/3\/1998<\/td>\n192<\/td>\n90<\/td>\nClarence<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
33<\/td>\nJarrod BRANDER<\/td>\n11\/2\/1999<\/td>\n194<\/td>\n89<\/td>\nBendigo Pioneers\/Wentworth<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
34<\/td>\nNicholas BLAKEY<\/td>\n27\/2\/2000<\/td>\n194<\/td>\n75<\/td>\nSwans\/UNSW<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
35<\/td>\nHugh DIXON<\/td>\n26\/2\/1999<\/td>\n195<\/td>\n92<\/td>\nKingborough Tigers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
36<\/td>\nJack PAYNE<\/td>\n15\/10\/1999<\/td>\n195<\/td>\n93<\/td>\nLions\/Noosa<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
37<\/td>\nAlex PAECH<\/td>\n17\/6\/1999<\/td>\n196<\/td>\n99<\/td>\nMurray Bushrangers\/North Albury<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
38<\/td>\nConnor BALLENDEN<\/td>\n29\/3\/1999<\/td>\n199<\/td>\n95<\/td>\nLions\/Wests Juniors<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
39<\/td>\nBrayden CROSSLEY<\/td>\n16\/8\/1999<\/td>\n198<\/td>\n105<\/td>\nSuns\/Labrador Tigers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
40<\/td>\nNathan RICHARDS<\/td>\n11\/2\/1999<\/td>\n200<\/td>\n102<\/td>\nGiants\/Griffith Swans<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
42<\/td>\nTimakoi BOWIE<\/td>\n4\/4\/1999<\/td>\n175<\/td>\n80<\/td>\nSuns\/Cape York Eagles<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
43<\/td>\nJarrod OSBORNE<\/td>\n29\/12\/1998<\/td>\n180<\/td>\n79<\/td>\nSwans\/Manly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
44<\/td>\nBen SLOAN<\/td>\n27\/8\/1999<\/td>\n189<\/td>\n80<\/td>\nLions\/Mt Gravatt<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
45<\/td>\nRodney BAIRD<\/td>\n1\/3\/1999<\/td>\n192<\/td>\n72<\/td>\nPalmerston<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
46<\/td>\nDaniel JOHNSTON<\/td>\n1\/12\/1999<\/td>\n196<\/td>\n97<\/td>\nMurray Bushrangers\/Barooga<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
47<\/td>\nTony OLANGO<\/td>\n2\/9\/1998<\/td>\n200<\/td>\n80<\/td>\nSt Mary\u2019s<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\u00a0** Zac Buechner was a late inclusion for Tasmania Chayce Jones<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

THE\u00a0ALLIES are in their second year of a relatively new Under 18 Championship concept bringing together the best players from the Under 18 Academy Series (Previously the division two championships) to play against the division one teams. 2016 saw top ten draftees Will Setterfield (GWS Giants) and Jack Bowes (Gold Coast Suns) run out for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":26314,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[2295,361,369,257,175,2296,465,470,479,2288,2291,83,64,78,2280,673,677,2281,800,801,808,818,2285,2289,2297,2298,914,84,2122,924,940,949,952,2283,65,2287,2294,2282,2292,80,2286,2119,2293,2284,1329,2299,2118,86,76,87,2121,77,69,75,1793,2290,81,1829,1865,2300,267,2353],"class_list":["post-26383","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-adam-sambono","tag-alex-paech","tag-allies","tag-andrew-mcgrath","tag-bailey-scott","tag-ben-sloan","tag-brayden-crossley","tag-brendan-myers","tag-brisbane-lions","tag-brodie-foster","tag-caleb-graham","tag-charlie-spargo","tag-connor-ballenden","tag-damien-burke","tag-daniel-johnston","tag-division-two","tag-dominic-grant","tag-doultan-langlands","tag-gold-coast","tag-gold-coast-suns","tag-greater-western-sydney","tag-gws-giants","tag-harrison-carr","tag-harry-simmington","tag-hayce-jones","tag-hugh-dixon","tag-jack-clayton","tag-jack-hardman","tag-jack-payne","tag-jack-powell","tag-jacob-dawson","tag-jake-brown","tag-jake-hinds","tag-james-bell","tag-jarrod-brander","tag-jarrod-osborne","tag-jeremiah-scrutton","tag-jy-lane","tag-kwaby-boakye","tag-laine-fitzgerald","tag-luke-robertson","tag-luke-skrivanic","tag-matthew-green","tag-michael-carroll","tag-nathan-richards","tag-nicholas-hutchinson","tag-nicholas-shipley","tag-nick-blakey","tag-northern-territory","tag-rodney-baird","tag-sam-davidson","tag-sydney-swans","tag-tarryn-thomas","tag-tasmania","tag-thomas-mundy","tag-timakoi-bowie","tag-tom-highmore","tag-tony-olango","tag-under-18-championships","tag-under-18s-champs","tag-zac-bailey","tag-zac-beuchner"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26383","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26383"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26383\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26314"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26383"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26383"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26383"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}