The 2025 AFL U18s Boys National Championships get underway this weekend, with the country's best draft talent set to go head-to-head on the biggest of stages.
Every year, the U18s carnival sees the cream of the crop represent their state or territory, with the 2025 championships looming as quite the contest for the five sides involved.
Vic Metro are coming off their thrilling title of 2024, but with a large majority of their squad moving on to the AFL, a new contender could emerge.
Each side is home to AFL Academy stars, club-tied prospects and teenagers looking to make their name known, with this year's edition of the National Championships set to be a close one.
Here are 77 prospects to keep an eye on at this year's National Championships and in the run-in to the 2025 AFL Draft.
VIEW: CURRENT 2025 AFL DRAFT ORDER
2. South Australia
The Croweaters will bat deep in midfield, headlined by Central District bull Dyson Sharp, who had a significant role in South Australia's carnival last year alongside Sid Draper and Camporeale brothers Ben and Lucas.
With the 2024 trio being drafted last year, a host of this year's South Australian talent will step up in their place alongside Sharp.
Richmond father-son prospect Louis Kellaway is likely to shift between midfield and half-back, with fellow Double Blues stars Noah Roberts-Thomson and Harley Barker also likely to get a run through the middle of the field, with the latter tipped to hold down the wing.
AFL Academy talent Matt LeRay can also play inside and outside in midfield, while North Adelaide's Sam Cumming will get a good run through the engine room.
Central Districts' Josh Reichelt will be a damaging runner off half-back for South Australia, while Jack Cook - the son of former Crows player Tim - isn't eligible for father-son selection but will catch the eye with his in-and-under work in midfield.
Norwood's Jim Kelly is another worth mentioning, with his buzz around stoppages set to excite the South Aussie locals after a strong start to his U18s SANFL campaign.
West Adelaide forward Mitch Marsh has risen into first-round conversations after his bright start with the Bloods, with the 189cm forward looming as SA's biggest threat in attack.
South Australia will, unfortunately, be without Eagles young gun Jevan Phillipou and leading 2026 prospect Doug Cochrane due to arm and hamstring injuries, respectively.
SA will feature in the National Championships opener against the Allies at Blacktown International Sportspark on Sunday.
