National Championships U18 Boys All-Australian Team announced, Harley Reid, Jed Walter, Ethan Read, Gold Coast Suns Academy players, Ryley Sanders, Levi Ashcroft

The Allies have dominated this year’s AFL National Championships U18 Boys All-Australian Team with eight representatives named – including five of the six midfielders/centres – after their stellar unbeaten run en route to their first title.

It’s headlined by Ryley Sanders, who was named captain after a superb campaign including claiming the Best and Fairest award with averages of 35.5 disposals and one goal per game, and Hunter Harrison Medal winner and Suns Academy ruckman Ethan Read.

Elsewhere, Victoria Country’s likely Pick 1 Harley Reid and Allies forward and Suns Academy player Jed Walter both earned selection for a second-straight year after getting named as bottom-age players in 2022.

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Three bottom-age players feature this year – Vic Metro’s Levi Ashcroft – younger brother of Will – Vic Country’s Finn O’Sullivan and South Australian MVP award winner Sid Draper, who will all be eligible for the 2024 draft.

In addition to Draper (SA) and Reid (Vic Country), all other state MVP winners – Daniel Curtin (Western Australia), Oliver Murphy (Victoria Metro) and Connor O’Sullivan (Allies) were selected.

Curtin, who’s regarded as WA’s top prospect and has interest from the Eagles, was named at centre-half back, but the versatile youngster played two games as a midfielder.

2023 AFL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS U18 BOYS ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM

DEF: William Patton (SA), Connor O’Sullivan (Allies), Oliver Murphy (Vic Metro)

HB: Riley Hardeman (WA), Daniel Curtin (WA), Archie Roberts (Vic Metro,

C: Jake Rogers (Allies), Ryley Sanders (Allies), Colby McKercher (Allies)

HF: Sid Draper (SA), Jed Walter (Allies), Koen Sanchez (WA)

F: Zane Duursma (Vic Country), Harley Reid (Vic Country), Nicholas Watson (Vic Metro),

R: Ethan Read (Allies), Clay Hall (WA), Caiden Cleary (Allies)

IC: Levi Ashcroft (Vic Metro), William Green (Vic Metro), James Leake (Allies), Finn O’Sullivan (Vic Country), George Stevens (Vic Country)

Coach: Mark McVeigh (Allies)