GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 17: Ashton Moir of South Australia is tackled by Callum Verrell of Vic Metro during the 2022 NAB AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Vic Metro and South Australia at GMHBA Stadium on July 17, 2022 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

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 Girls 

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.

BALLARAT, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 20: Montana Ham of Vic Metro celebrates a goal during the NAB AFLW U18 National Championships match between Vic Country and Vic Metro at Mars Stadium on March 20, 2022 in Ballarat, Australia. (Photo by Martin Keep/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
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.