The AFL has confirmed dates for the U18 Boys and U18 Girls National Championships for 2023.
“The Championships provide a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best young talent in our game and we look forward to seeing the best footballers compete against each other in matches played across the country," said AFL Head of Talent Pathways, Grant Williams.
Here's a preview of this year's carnival.
U18 Boys
Victoria Metro claimed the title of last year's State Championships, defeating Victoria Country 80-73. Will Ashcroft claimed the MVP for Vic Metro, as well as the Larke Medal as the Best and Fairest Player of the Championships, subsequently being chosen by Brisbane at Pick No.2 in the AFL Draft.
This year's carnival is stacked with more exciting draft prospects, with Harley Reid currently looking as the most likely No.1 pick.
Reid averaged 20.3 disposals for Vic Country last year across half-back, cementing his spot in the U18 All-Australian team.
Ashton Moir, for South Australia, kicked 30 goals in 10 games for Glenelg in the U18 SANFL and is another one capable of being a No.1 draft pick.
Daniel Curtin claimed best-on-ground in the 2022 AFL Futures game, amassing 20 disposals in Team Houli's victory over Team Murphy. A WA talent Curtin trained with Fremantle over the pre-season and will be hoping for an injury-free year after missing most of last year with a finger tendon injury.
Jed Walter, a Gold Coast Academy product, will be one the Suns are keen to keep an eye on after he kicked nine goals at last year's championship for the Allies.
Finally, Nick Watson is another player who was influential in Metro's win last year as he kicked nine goals in the first two games, averaging 2.6 goals for Eastern Ranges in 2022.
Be sure to keep an eye on the games, starting on June 4.
DATE | HOME TEAM | AWAY TEAM | VENUE |
Sun, June 4 | South Australia | Allies | Thebarton Oval, SA |
Sun, June 11 | South Australia | Victoria Metro | Thebarton Oval, SA |
Sun, June 11 | Allies | Western Australia | Thebarton Oval, SA |
Sun, June 18 | Victoria Country | South Australia | IKON Park, VIC |
Sat, June 24 | Western Australia | South Australia | Optus Stadium, WA |
Sat, July 1 | Western Australia | Victoria Country | TBC, WA |
Sun, July 2 | Allies | Victoria Metro | Brighton Homes Arena, QLD |
Sun, July 9 | Victoria Metro | Western Australia | RSEA Park, VIC |
Sun, July 9 | Victoria Country | Allies | RSEA Park, VIC |
Sat, July 15 | Victoria Country | Victoria Metro | IKON Park, VIC |
The fixture for this year's U18 Boys Championship.
U18 GirlsÂ
The dates for the U18 Girls carnival have also been set, starting on April 30 with South Australia taking on Western Australia at Pentanet Stadium.
Last year's winners were South Australia, beating Vic Metro in a thriller by only three points.
Despite the loss, eventual No.1 AFLW Draft Pick for the Sydney Swans, Montana Ham claimed Vic Metro MVP honours and only dipped below 20 disposals in one game for the tournament.
DATE | HOME TEAM | AWAY TEAM | VENUE |
Sun, April 30 | Western Australia | South Australia | Pentanet Stadium, WA |
Sun, July 2 | Allies | Victoria Metro | Brighton Homes Arena, QLD |
Sun, July 9 | Victoria Metro | South Australia | Avalon Airport Oval, VIC |
Sat, July 15 | South Australia | Queensland | Adelaide Oval, SA |
Sun, July 30 | Queensland | Victoria Country | Brighton Homes Arena, QLD |
Sun, August 6 | Queensland | Allies | Heritage Bank Stadium, QLD |
Sat, August 12 | Victoria Country | Victoria Metro | TBC, VIC |
Sun, August 13 | Allies | Western Australia | Blacktown Int. Sportspark, NSW |
Sat, August 19 | Western Australia | Victoria Country | Pentanet Stadium, WA |
The fixture for this year's U18 girls championship.