AFL draft news: Results and scores from the under 18 national championships

A host of players have boosted their draft stock after the latest round of the under 18 national championships. Get the latest stats, scores and rankings here.

One of next year’s top AFL draft prospects outshone many of his top-age peers with a stunning performance for Vic Country on Sunday.

Bendigo Pioneers product Harley Reid had been playing as a midfielder and forward in the NAB League this season but was sent into defence for the first time in Vic Country’s opening match of the under 18 national championships against South Australia.

The 185cm showed a great ability to read the play and a strong pair of hands overhead.

He finished with 21 disposals and 10 marks, including a big contested pack grab in the final seconds of the close encounter to help Vic Country hold on by two points.

Harley Reid shone for Vic Country after a move back from his usual spot as a mid-forward Picture: Getty Images

Some of the Vic Country’s midfielders who are part of this year’s draft class were also outstanding in the win.

Tough Geelong Falcons onballer Jhye Clark recorded 24 disposals, eight marks and two clearances, while Dandenong Stingrays midfielder Mitch Szybkowski was in the thick of everything as he logged 25 disposals, four marks and four clearances.

Ollie Hollands – the brother of Gold Coast’s Elijah Hollands – worked hard up and down the ground and finished with 19 disposals and a goal.

Key forward Aaron Cadman presented well and finished with two goals for Vic Country, as well as Zane Duursma who showed off his speed and got on the end of two majors.

South Australia midfielder Adam D’Aloia was the top-ranked player on the ground with 28 disposals, seven clearances, one goal and 149 SuperCoach ranking points.

Max Michelanney — who is eligible as a father-son for Adelaide given his father Jim played 211 SANFL games for Norwood — logged 14 disposals and a goal.

Max Michalanney is father-son eligible for the Adelaide Crows Picture: Getty Images

Crows Next Generation Academy prospect Isaac Keeler, a 198cm key forward or ruckman, showed his ability and agility as he recorded 16 disposals and four marks but struggled to find his radar in front of the big sticks with 1.2 from five shots on goal.

Meanwhile, potential No. 1 draft pick Will Ashcroft was prolific for Vic Metro in its first match against the Allies in Sydney on Saturday.

Ashcroft, who is yet to decide if he will nominate as a father-son to Brisbane, logged 37 disposals, seven marks, 12 clearances and four inside-50s to finish as the top-ranked player on the ground with a sky-high 189 SuperCoach points.

St Kilda Next Generation Academy prospect Cameron Mackenzie was Ashcroft’s partner in crime through the middle, racking up 28 disposals, seven marks, six inside-50s and three clearances of his own.

Sandringham Dragons small forward Harry Sheezel — who models his game on Greater Western Sydney’s Toby Greene — was again eye-catching in attack with 17 disposals, six marks and four goals.

A top-10 draft fancy, Sheezel booted three of his goals in one blistering quarter.

Oakleigh Chargers half-forward Blake Drury also put himself on the radar of AFL clubs with 25 disposals, six marks, eight inside-50s and a goal.

Essendon father-son prospect Alwyn Davey Jnr booted two goals from 10 disposals, while key forward Matthew Jefferson presented well and also finished with two goals.

Gold Coast Suns Academy member Jed Walter was a standout for the Allies, with the 195cm key forward putting his agility and giant leap on show.

Walter booted four goals from nine disposals and three marks.

ALLIES 14.6 (90) def. by VIC METRO 16.10 (106)

ALLIES

109 – Luke Lawrence

106 – Ryley Sanders

99 – Harry Rowston

89 – Tom McCullum

85 – Jed Walter

82 – Lachie Cowan

79 – Ned Stevens

76 – Angus Anderson

75 – Nicholas Madden

72 – Brinn Little

72 – Ethan Grace

68 – Marlin Corbett

67 – Shadeau Brain

60 – Luke Fellows

60 – Ethan Read

51 – Seth Campbell

49 – Caiden Cleary

48 – Jason Gillbee

46 – Lloyd Johnston

45 – Joshua Cooper

27 – Will Edwards

26 – Colby McKercher

1 – Christian Webster

VIC METRO

189 – Will Ashcroft

134 – Harry Sheezel

132 – Cam Mackenzie

93 – Olli Hotton

90 – Blake Drury

89 – Callum Verrell

88 – Jakob Anderson

84 – Ben Hempel

80 – Cameron Kizan

79 – Lewis Hayes

75 – Darcy Edmends

75 – Charlie Clarke

74 – Josh Weddle

67 – Alwyn Davey

66 – Hudson O’Keefe

62 – Matthew Jefferson

60 – Kai Windsor

55 – Paul Pascu

54 – Jovan Petric

50 – Nick Watson

48 – Mitchell Rowe

46 – Sam Grant

19 – Logan Morris

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 8.12 (60) def. by VIC COUNTRY 9.8 (62)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

149 – Adam D’Aloia

110 – Jakob Ryan

107 – Kobe Ryan

92 – Mattaes Phillipou

91 – Max Michalanney

90 – Harry Barnett

87 – Kelsey Rypstra

74 – Archie Lovelock

73 – Shaun Bennier

72 – Isaac Keeler

69 – Tyson Walls

67 – Jake Walker

63 – Nick Sadler

61 – Phoenix Foster

60 – Alex Holt

56 – Adam Deakin

52 – Billy Dowling

47 – Nathan Barkla

43 – Jack Delean

27 – Harvey Pedler

25 – Kyle Marshall

17 – Harry Lemmey

4 – Blake Hansen

VIC COUNTRY

140 – Harley Reid

121 – Hugh Bond

115 – Jhye Clark

114 – Caleb Mitchell

114 – Cooper Vickery

104 – Coby Burgiel

103 – Mitch Szybkowski

97 – Oliver Hollands

89 – Henry Hustwaite

82 – Jonti Schuback

73 – James Van Es

66 – Toby McMullin

65 – Noah Long

63 – Zavier Duursma

63 – Finn Emile-Brennan

55 – Aaron Cadman

55 – Jaxon Binns

49 – Archer Reid

48 – Felix Fogarty

46 – Olivier Northam

44 – Charlie Barnett

36 – Max Knobel

4 – Jack O’Sullivan

Dons father-son ready for Davey expectations

He is the son of a former Bomber but likes to think he plays more like another famous relatove who lined up for the Demons.
Exciting Essendon father-son prospect Alwyn Davey Jnr likens himself to his uncle and former Melbourne midfielder Aaron Davey.

His twin brother, Jayden, is instead considered to be the “replica” of their father – the 100-game Bombers forward Alwyn Davey Snr.

“I would say that I’m more like his (dad’s) older brother Aaron,” Alwyn Jnr told the Herald Sun.

“I’m more composed and more careful in decision making. But I would say that Jayden is probably the replica of dad. He uses his speed to pressure and tackle and kick goals.”

Alwyn Davey Jnr says he plays like his uncle, former Melbourne midfielder Aaron Davey. Picture: AFL Photos

A top-30 draft prospect, Alwyn Jnr is a member of the NAB AFL Academy this year and will line up for Vic Metro in its first match of the AFL under 18 national championships against the Allies in Sydney on Saturday.

Jayden won’t be joining him, having suffered an ACL injury during pre-season which has wiped out his 2022 campaign.

However, some rival recruiters were even more excited about Jayden than Alwyn Jnr on limited exposed form last year, presenting Essendon with a potential jackpot scenario in November’s national draft.

“He’s tracking really well,” Alwyn Jnr said of Jayden’s rehabilitation.

“It’s just week by week and everything’s improving and everyone seems very happy with how he’s pulling it up. So I’m glad for him and hopefully he can have a speedy recovery back.”

Both of the Davey brothers have been part of the club’s James Hird Academy and are boarders at Xavier College where they played some impressive football together last year.

Alwyn Jnr said the opportunity to train with Essendon during pre-season had left an impression on him and he has continued to make weekly visits to Tullamarine as part of the Academy program.

“Training with them in pre-season was an unreal experience,” Alwyn Jnr said.

“It’s a complete change, especially from NAB League. Later on this year since I have all the understanding of it, it should be easier. But it’s still unreal, the intensity of it.”

Alwyn Davey played for the Australian under 18 team against Collingwood’s VFL side in May. Picture: AFL Photos

Alwyn Jnr has played more midfield minutes with NAB League club Oakleigh Chargers this year, while still rotating forward at times.

He also shone brightly playing primarily onball for Vic Metro in a trial match earlier this month, racking up 25 disposals, five clearances and 111 SuperCoach ranking points.

“I’ve played forward and try to bring the tackling pressure, but also if you look at disposals I’ve played some really good footy in the midfield,” Alwyn Jnr said.

“I would say I’m 50-50 and I’m happy to play wherever.”

Alwyn Jnr said he had long held the dream of following in his father’s footsteps and joining Essendon, something that he hopes will happen later this year.

“It always has been the dream ever since I was young, to play for the Bombers,” he said.

“So I’m very excited and hopefully the year goes well.”

Oliver Hollands is part of the Vic Country squad. Picture: Getty Images

Vic Country is set to play its first match of the national championships against South Australia in Adelaide on Sunday.

Murray Bushrangers product and Vic Country member Oliver Hollands — the brother of Gold Coast’s Elijah Hollands — said he was excited to test himself against some of the country’s best underage talent.

“It’s been there in the mind all year long and I’ve just been waiting for it to come up,” Hollands said of the championships.

“Now it’s nearly here, I’m definitely super exited. It will be great to play some of the other states like South Australia and Western Australia and the Allies and really challenge ourselves.”

The under 18 national championships will continue throughout July, before wrapping up with a final blockbuster clash between Vic Metro and Vic Country on September 23.

AFL UNDER 18 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE
Sun, Jun 19: South Australia v Allies, Thebarton Oval, Adelaide, 1.30pm

Sat, Jun 25: Allies v Victoria Metro, Blacktown Int. Sports Park, 1.00pm

Sun, Jun 26: South Australia v Victoria Country, Thebarton Oval, Adelaide, 1.30pm

Sat, Jul 2: Victoria Metro v Western Australia, Melbourne, 12.00pm

Sun, Jul 3: Allies v Victoria Country, Gold Coast, 1.00pm

Sat, Jul 9: Allies v Western Australia, Adelaide, 12.30pm

Sun, Jul 17: Victoria Metro v South Australia, GMHBA Stadium, Geelong, 11.00am

Sun, Jul 17: Victoria Country v Western Australia, GMHBA Stadium, Geelong, 1.30pm

Sun, Jul 24: South Australia v Western Australia, Adelaide, 12.00pm

Fri, Sep 23: Victoria Metro v Victoria Country, Melbourne, TBC

Originally published as AFL draft news: Results and scores from the under 18 national championships