Tasmanian players key part of Allies winning 2023 AFL National Championship

Tasmania’s super six play key role in Allies winning the AFL’s 2023 National Championship

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 09: Colby McKercher of the Allies in action during the 2023 AFL National Championships match between Vic Country and the Allies at RSEA Park on July 09, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

TASMANIAN sensation Colby McKercher led the Allies to an 11–point win over powerhouse Vic Country in Melbourne on Sunday to seal an historic maiden AFL National Championship for the boys in blue.

The Allies, made up of players from Tasmania, NSW, Queensland and Northern Territory, went undefeated through the 2023 national series and by downing the Victorian country boys secured a clean sweep.

AFL Tasmania’s northern talent manager Nathan Warren was assistant-coach to Allies coach Mark McVeigh and played a key role in the team’s successful campaign.

Warren said the Allies made a statement on behalf of the “other states”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 09: The Allies celebrate with the cup after winning the National Championships following their victory in the 2023 AFL National Championships match between Vic Country and the Allies at RSEA Park on July 09, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“There was a lot of excitement in the box early on when it was so close but the boys responded really well in the second half,” Warren said.

“All the Allies boys are from division two states, and it’s all of those state coming together to play the big states.

“It says a lot for this team to come together and beat the powerhouses _ Vic Country, Vic Metro, South Australia and WA _ and beat a couple of them comfortably.

“There’s a lot of talent on the Eastern Seaboard and it was good to be able to work with these talented boys, like Jed Walter [Gold Coast Suns Academy], who is pushing to go pick number one, and this is the stage to do it on.”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 09: Colby McKercher of the Allies in action during the 2023 AFL National Championships match between Vic Country and the Allies at RSEA Park on July 09, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

As well as McKercher, the Allies’ Tasmanian contingent included Devils players Arie Schoenmaker, Heath Ollington, Jack Callinan, James Leake, and North Launceston’s Ryley Sanders, who plays Coates Talent league for the Sandringham Dragons.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 09: Jack Callinan of the Allies in action during the 2023 AFL National Championships match between Vic Country and the Allies at RSEA Park on July 09, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

After gathering a game-high 40 possessions in the Allies’ win over Western Australia, McKercher had 32 touches and kicked two goals on the 81-70 win over Vic Country.

“His two goals were both cracking goals,” Warren said.

“He got the ball from a centre clearance and away he goes and used his strength and speed and finished well, and the second one he burst through a couple of tackles and kept his poise to kick his second.

“He had a bit a quiet first half, but I had a chat to him at half-time to make sure his mind-set was right, and away he went in the second half and he was super.”

The Tasmanians will be back for the Devils to play Oakleigh Chargers in Hobart next weekend, after the Chargers were unable to get a flight to Tasmania to play their scheduled match at Penguin on Saturday, while the Devils girls lost to Oakleigh 6.4 (40) to 4.8 (32).