Under-18 National Championships 2023: All the stats, standouts and SuperCoach scores from SA v WA

SA’s national under-18 championships campaign ended with another loss on the weekend – but there was still plenty to like. See the scouting report, including exclusive stats.

Bottom-age young gun Sid Draper stamped his credentials as a top 2024 draft prospect as South Australia’s national carnival came to a disappointing end in Perth.

The Croweaters were no match for a West Australian side, led by dynamic midfielder Clay Hall and top-10 contender Daniel Curtin, after halftime, going down by 28 points to finish with just one win from their four AFL Under-18 Championships games.

But Draper and fellow underage star Tyler Welsh showed why it could be a different story next year.

The younger brother of Collingwood’s Arlo, Draper was again SA’s leading ball-winner, finishing with 20 disposals, 13 contested possessions and eight inside-50s, in a clean display through the midfield.

The 16-year-old averaged 25 disposals and 111 Champion Data ranking points across the four matches and is a chance to be crowned SA’s MVP.

SCROLL DOWN FOR KEY STATS AND EVERY PLAYER’S SUPERCOACH SCORE

Sid Draper was South Australia’s leading ball-winner against WA. Picture: Russell/AFL Photos

Welsh, Adelaide’s highly-touted father-son prospect, booted two goals on Saturday, following on from his standout five-goal performance in the win over Vic Country a week earlier.

Of this year’s top draft chances, North Adelaide’s Kane McAuliffe showed off his all-round midfield game – as has done throughout the carnival – recording a game-high 13 tackles and launching a left-foot bomb from outside 50 for SA’s opening goal.

Captain Will Patton and Bodie Ryan – the cousin of Collingwood’s Jakob – were solid in defence, while athletic South Adelaide ruckman Taylor Goad continues to show glimpses of his potential.

On a difficult day against WA defender Oscar Hine-Baston, the sublimely-skilled Jack Delean booted just one goal. But, while he was quiet in SA’s final outing, Delean’s nine-goal national campaign has solidified his draft standing as a first-round chance

Kane McAuliffe recorded a team-high 13 tackles. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Photos

Daniel Curtin impressed in the midfield on Saturday. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Photos

Peel Thunder’s Hall was the dominant midfielder on the ground, tallying a game-high 33 disposals, 15 contested possessions and nine clearances.

The son of former Eagles and Cats forward Derek, Hall has impressed at WAFL level this season and looks set to continue his rise up draft boards in the second half of the year.

By his side at Optus Stadium was the teenager viewed as the best key-defender in the 2023 draft pool, Curtin.

The 195cm prospect, who went toe-to-toe with star Allies forward Jed Walter two weeks ago and has also featured inside-50 for Claremont, highlighted his eye-catching versatility against SA, having a big influence as a ball winner in the midfield.

After recording a huge 26 disposals and 18 contested possessions in a recent WAFL Colts game, Curtin finished with 27 disposals, 13 contested possessions and seven tackles in the Sandgropers' win to add to his already significant draft appeal.

Powerful midfielder-forward Koltyn Tholstrup reminded everyone why he’s another West Australian in first-round contention with some moments of brilliance is his first game for the carnival.

WA hosts Vic Country at the WACA on Friday, while the Allies and Vic Metro go head-to-head in Queensland in this weekend’s other fixture on Sunday.

Koltyn Tholstrup was back with a bang against SA. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Photos