AFL Draft 2023: Allies players dominate U18 Boys All-Australian team following the 2023 National Championships

The Allies came home with the national title for the first time and now have taken more than a third of the spots in the U18 Boys All-Australian team. See who made the side.

Ryley Sanders was named captain of the 2023 U18 Boys All-Australian team. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Eight Allies representatives have headlined the U18 boys All-Australian team following this year’s National Championships.

The side produced an unbeaten run to win their inaugural title and have been rewarded for their dominant display, including five of the six midfield positions.

Ryley Sanders added to his growing list of accolades by being named captain of the side. The Tasmanian also won the Larke Medal as the tournament’s best player, averaging 35.5 disposals and a goal a game.

He is joined in the All-Australian side by Allies’ teammates Connor O’Sullivan, Jake Rogers, Colby McKercher, Jed Walter, Ethan Read, Caiden Cleary and James Leake.

Victoria Metro was the next best-represented side with five players. Victoria Country and Western Australia both had four, while South Australia finished with two.

Ryley Sanders was named captain of the under-18 All-Australian team. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos

Harley Reid made the team for the second-straight year. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos

Highly touted as the No.1 draft pick, Harley Reid was named at full forward in the team. It’s the second-straight year Reid has earned selection. Walter was the only other player also named in the 2022 side.

In total, 20 of the 23 players named are eligible for this year‘s draft.

Allies coach Mark McVeigh was named coach of the All-Australian team after leading his side to their breakthrough championship.

The team was selected by a panel that included AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan and a number of AFL recruiters.