The Australian Under 18 Championships 2017 kick off in less than a fortnight. They will once again feature teams from Victoria Country & Metro, SA, WA and the Allies (best of the rest). Some of the squads have already been announced.

The draw for the first two rounds is:-

Round 1

Saturday 10 June 2017 at 12.30pm Western Australia v South Australia (Domain Stadium)

Sunday 11 June 2017 at 12.30pm Allies v Victoria Country (Blacktown International Sportspark)

Round 2

Saturday 17 June 2017 at 10.10am 
South Australia v Allies (Adelaide Oval)

Sunday 18 June 2017 at 11.00am
Western Australia v Victoria Metro    Domain Stadium)

I am hearing that the quality of the draft pool is just average but I think that's what was being said at this time last year and some good talent emerged at the championships.

At this stage the Demons have all the draft picks intact including one in the first round so there should be a fair bit more interest in the proceedings than there was in 2016.

4 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

 

I am hearing that the quality of the draft pool is just average but I think that's what was being said at this time last year and some good talent emerged at the championships.

 

I wonder if this quote will be something we hear more and more.  My understanding that AFL participation numbers are increasing at the early age groups Auskick to U10s but the 14+ age groups the drop off is enormous.  Be interested to actually see stats from the AFL, which we never will on the growth or lack of growth in the 14+ age group.  The flow on will be drop off in talent pools, you will always have good players but finding the late picks and rookies will be a lot harder

really looking forward to seeing what the club does with our picks this year..

The Victorian Country squad has been finalised - here

 

The Victorian Metro squad has been finalised - here

Will Sutherland who is captain of the Australian Under 19 cricket XI and the son of current CEO of Cricket Australia James Sutherland is one of the players selected in Vic Metro's squad for the under 18 carnival.

An interesting choice coming up for the kid.

18 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Will Sutherland who is captain of the Australian Under 19 cricket XI and the son of current CEO of Cricket Australia James Sutherland is one of the players selected in Vic Metro's squad for the under 18 carnival.

An interesting choice coming up for the kid.

195cm key forward - interesting

Top cricket prospect Will Sutherland named for Vic Metro

Love the look of Cameron Rayner, but will be gone well before we come into the draft I'd assume.

Liking the look of Oscar Allen from WA been moving up the rankings and a good sized accumulator

Been singing the praises of Charlie Spargo for a while. Just a stand-out. At only 173 cm he might slip down the draft like Caleb Daniel?

Cam Rayner! Jason Taylor's recruiting has been exceptional BUT id love to see Cam in the Red and Blue. He has all the qualities to be an exceptional AFL player

more than likely we will look at the big West Indian fast bowler Joel Garner

The boys from WA

On 2017-5-31 at 9:59 PM, Pennant St Dee said:

Liking the look of Oscar Allen from WA been moving up the rankings and a good sized accumulator

Allen gets a decent mention here by Brett Anderson. There's also a bit of chat about the depth of this years draft (not viewed all that favourably) and trade chatter:

https://audioboom.com/posts/5974758-on-the-clock-podcast-episode-1-2017?t=0

Edited June 5, 20178 yr by ChaserJ

On 5/31/2017 at 4:29 PM, Whispering_Jack said:

Will Sutherland who is captain of the Australian Under 19 cricket XI and the son of current CEO of Cricket Australia James Sutherland is one of the players selected in Vic Metro's squad for the under 18 carnival.

An interesting choice coming up for the kid.

I used to think this decision was a bit of a no-brainer, but the opportunities provided through the various 20/20 leagues around the world would be quite enticing for a talented footballer/cricketer.

Some resource material for those interested in the Under 18 Championships:-

Cal Twomey's 25 to watch in the under 18 championships

Your guide to the 2017 AFL national under-18 championships

 

The opening game of the Under 18 championships saw WA win by a point after a late surge from SA. 

Under-18 national championships: WA holds on against fast-finishing SA

U18: Young wins it for WA with a golden point

Western Australia 2.4.16 6.7.43 10.12.72 10.14.74

South Australia 2.2.14 5.3.33 6.6.42 10.13.73

Goals

Western Australia Allen 3, Stewart 2, Hill, Stack, Young, Ainsworth, Starcevich

South Australia Fogarty 2, Houlahan 2, Rankine 2, Lukosius, Rozee, Rowe, Giro 

Best

Western Australia Ainsworth, Allen, Naughton, Taylor, Joyce, Frampton

South Australia Edwards, Rakine, Crowden, Rozee, Giro, Ballard

Another team wins coming from behind in the final quarter.

U18: No.1 pick fancy guides Vic Country home

Allies 2.2.14 4.3.27 8.5.53 8.8.56

Vic Country 2.2.14 5.3.33 6.5.41 10.8.68

Goals

Allies Dixon 3, Simington 2, Hardman, Blakey, Powell

Vic Country Barzen 2, Daniels, McHenry, Dow, Handley, Ling, De Koning, Butts, Meek

Best

Allies Shipley, Brander, Highmore, Hardman, Thomas

Vic Country Davies-Uniacke, Paton, Dow, Walsh, Daniels, Butts

The Road to the Draft series is focusing on the Under 18 Championships.

I believe that key forward prospect Will Sutherland who is also Australian Under 19 cricket captain, will play school football at the weekend and not for Vic Metro. If so, he will still have future opportunities.

Any fat red head kids that Richmond want to rookie running around?

 

This bloke looks the part 

U18: No.1 pick fancy guides Vic Country home

Even has a hyphenated name so should fit in well with ANB and JKH.

didn't this guy train with the dees over the summer?

1 hour ago, Rocky said:

didn't this guy train with the dees over the summer?

He did, along with key back Oscar Clavarino. Davies-Uniacke has probably bumped his draft standing up since and Clavarino seems to have drifted a bit.

U18: Bottom-ager Lukosius stars in SA's big win

South Australia 4.2.26 6.5.41 12.9.81 17.10.112

Allies 1.3.9 6.4.40 6.5.41 9.7.61

Goals

South Australia Houlahan 4, Lukosius 3, Barry 2, Rankine 2, Fogarty 2, Giro, Rowe, Hewson, Rozee

Allies Dixon 2, Scott 2, Brander, Powell, Davidson, Richards, Bell

Best 

South Australia Lukosius, Coleman-Jones, Rankine, Edwards, Petty, Giro

Allies Bailey, Scott, Shipley, Bell, Highmore

U18: Top-10 prospect stars in Vic Metro win

Western Australia 2.0.12 4.0.24 6.3.39 9.4.58

Vic Metro 2.4.16 6.9.45 11.11.77 14.12.96

Goals

Western Australia Allen 3, B. Miller, L.Miller, Frampton, Ameduri, Starcevich, Cameron

Vic Metro Higgins 2, Landt 2, McLean 2, Moore, Cerra, Rayner, Naish, Coffield, Hayes, Wooller, Taylor

Best

Western Australia Joyce, Patmore, Allen, Ainsworth, Naughton, England

Vic Metro Higgins, Moore, Rayner, Cerra, Naish, Coffield