No.1 draft pick fancy Josh Smillie snubbed in Under-18 National Championships All-Australian team

The race to be this year’s No.1 draft pick has taken an unexpected turn with Josh Smillie snubbed from the Under-18 All-Australian team. Plus, see full stats for every player selected.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 23: Josh Smillie of Victoria Metro looks on during the Marsh AFL National Championships match between U18 Boys Western Australia and Victoria Metro at Optus Stadium on June 23, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Vic Metro midfielder Josh Smillie might be the projected No.1 pick in November’s draft, but he was a notable omission from the national carnival’s All-Australian team.

Smillie’s representative side took home premiership honours with a one-point, after-the-siren win over Vic Country on Sunday, with Smillie recording 16 disposals and eight clearances in the win.

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But he could not join his eight Vic Metro teammates in the team, with top-five draft prospect Jagga Smith named in the starting midfield, first-round fancies Murphy Reid, Tom Gross, Harry Armstrong and Isaac Kako starting in the forward line, matchwinner Luke Trainor and draft chance Harrison Oliver in the back line and Lions father-son Levi Ashcroft on the bench.

Josh Smillie missed out on selection in the All-Australian team. Picture: Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Ashcroft and South Australian captain Sid Draper became dual All-Australians after selection as bottom-agers in 2023, with Gold Coast academy product Zeke Uwland the only bottom-ager picked in the 2024 side.

Vic Country’s Tobie Travaglia, who gave away the 50m penalty that led to Trainor’s after-the-siren goal, was named in the side after an outstanding campaign.

ALL-AUSTRALIAN PLAYERS BY TEAM

ALLIES: (5) Leo Lombard, Sam Marshall, Jobe Shanahan, Logan Smith, Zeke Uwland

SOUTH AUSTRALIA: (3) Ben Camporeale, Alex Dodson, Sid Draper;

VICTORIA COUNTRY: (5) Joe Berry, Lachie Jaques, Harvey Langford, Xavier Lindsay, Tobie Travaglia;

VICTORIA METRO: (8) Harry Armstrong, Levi Ashcroft, Tom Gross, Isaac Kako, Harrison Oliver, Murphy Reid, Jagga Smith, Luke Trainor;

WESTERN AUSTRALIA: (2) Bo Allan, Clancy Dennis.