AFL Draft 2024: Vic Country squad named and the players to watch at the U18 national championships

The Vic Country squad is in, and it features club linked talent and some familiar names. See who to watch our for at the national championships here.

Vic Country has unveiled its 33-player squad ahead of its first national championships clash against South Australia on Sunday.

The squad is headlined by highly-touted Koroit midfielder Finn O’Sullivan, who has had limited opportunities to show his talents after an injury interrupted draft year to date.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE FULL SQUAD

O’Sullivan is one of seven AFL Academy members named along with GWV Rebels talents Jonty Faull and Sam Lalor, Dandenong Stingrays duo Noah Mraz and Harvey Langford, Bendigo Pioneers forward Archer Day-Wicks and Gippsland Power ball-winner Xavier Lindsay.

Faull, a key forward from Redan, booted five goals in a barnstorming return from a back injury over the weekend and will be watched closely by recruiters along with his Rebels teammate Lalor, who has had his own injury troubles.

Twin towers Matt Whitlock and Jack Whitlock have created plenty of buzz in the first half of the season along with their livewire Murray Bushrangers teammate Joe Berry, who has kicked 21 goals across seven matches.

Finn O'Sullivan breaks away from a tackle for the AFL Academy. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Bendigo Pioneers midfielder Tobie Travaglia is another who has enhanced his standing significantly in the first half of the season.

Potential North Melbourne father-son River Stevens, the son of Roos legend Anthony, has been named after impressing for the Geelong Falcons and Geelong College in school football.

Riak Andrew, the brother of rising Gold Coast Sun Mac, has been picked as an over-age player and is part of Melbourne’s Next Generation Academy.

Athletic Geelong Falcons defender Ben Rongdit is NGA linked to Geelong and is eligible for the 2025 draft, while Willem Duursma is the standout bottom-ager in the squad after winning Vic Country’s MVP at the U16 national championships last year.

Duursma is well-placed to be the fourth sibling of his family to join the top level after Xavier (Essendon), Yasmin (Carlton) and Zane (North Melbourne).

The Rebels have the most players in the squad with nine, followed by the Bushrangers (six), Dandenong Stingrays (five), Falcons (fourt) Bendigo Pioneers (four) and Gippland Power (three).

The Oakleigh Chargers also have two prospects, with O’Sullivan and Jasper Alger playing for the Chargers while boarding at Xavier College and Caulfield Grammar respectively.

Vic Country takes on the South Australia at 1:05pm on Sunday, the second game of a double-header at IKON Park after Vic Metro’s clash with the Allies.