The Allies finished their campaign at the Under-18s National Championships on Sunday with a heavy loss to Vic Metro.
It capped off carnival which finished with a disappointing 1-3 record, the sole win being by five points over Western Australia
But plenty of players from across the Northern states and Tasmania increased their draft stock on the big stage.
Swans defender rises
AFL Academy defender Lachy Carmichael strengthened his case to be selected in the first round of the AFL Draft with a scintillating National Championships.
Carmichael averaged an equal team-high 25 disposals for the Allies and was among their best players in all four games.
A strong, run-and-gun defender who can intercept soundly, he provided plenty of drive from the back half for much of the championships, but got moved into the midfield in the last quarter of the Allies' first game, and again played there in game four.
His appetite for the contest, tenacity and flair lended itself well to an on-ball role, which was reward for how well he applied himself and impacted contests from the back half in the early part of the carnival.
He hit the scoreboard with goals in each of the last two games with his transition running, rebound and ability to play on bigger bodies all likely to transfer to the next level.
He'll likely be the second Sydney Swans Academy member called out on draft night, after Max King after solidifying his prospects at the championships.
Stars continues to catch eye
Brisbane Lions Academy gun Dan Annable led the Allies midfield with great conviction across the carnival, despite the Allies' up-and-down campaign.
Annable, who captained the AFL Academy in a best afield showing against Richmond VFL earlier this season, showed the same sort of traits he has all season, with his class around the contest, power and work rate helping him average 25 possessions and 4 tackles.
Dylan Patterson was at his electrifying best for much of the Allies' campaign, assisting the winning goal for the Allies against Western Australia and starting his carnival on fire.
He averaged 20 disposals and four marks with his flashy rebounding, aggression and deadly kicking on show throughout.
Another Lions Academy watch
Tyan Prindable was a little-known name entering the National Championships but his finish to his carnival has him well and truly on the map as a name to keep tabs on.
He had 21 disposals and kicked two goals, along with six tackles as a dynamic after 18 disposals and a goal against Vic Country, with his intent around the contest and ability to get to dangerous spots helping him get involved in plenty of scoring chains.
He averaged 21 disposals and a goal for the Lions Academy in 2025 and his intent around the footy has been pleasing all year.
Unheralded Sun mounts draft case
Everyone's heard of Zeke Uwland, Beau Addinsall and Dylan Patterson, who have been spectacular for Gold Coast Academy across a sustained period.
But with Uwland playing minimal part in the National Championships and Addinsall getting just one game, both due to injury, it was another Sun who shone, alongside Patterson.
Koby Coulson got a spot in the Allies' starting midfield off the back of sustained form for Gold Coast Academy this year, having had an injury-interrupted journey prior to 2025.
His hard-nosed contested ball-winning, defensive application and power seamlessly translated as he capitalised on his opportunity and looks a brilliant prospect for a club looking to add some contested class with utility value.
Taj Murray value rises
Northern Territory native Taj Murray needed only one game to properly announce himself to the talent pathway industry, using his first game of the championships to do just that.
The primary ruck for the Allies, Murray averaged a reasonably modest eight disposals and eight hitouts for the Allies - he missed the third game with illness - but the traits he showed as a raw athletic tall against South Australia were compelling.
He kicked four goals from 11 disposals, showing his reach in marking contests and proving dynamic when the ball hit the ground, with his work aerially and around the ground helping the Allies push South Australia within seven points - the Croweaters beat everyone else by at least five goals.
His raw speed, skills and athleticism provide the option for him to be played in the ruck or at either end of the ground, making him an attractive prospect for clubs.
He plays his U18s footy at North Adelaide despite being from the Northern Territory, currently boarding at Prince Alfred College, highlighting his independence to clubs around the country.
Athletic talls catch eye
The athleticism and intercepting of 19-year-old Gold Coaster Caleb Nancarrow and Tasmanian Avery Thomas was a brilliant spectacle for the Allies throughout the National Championships.
Nancarrow has been thrown into defence this season, having previously played as a forward/ruck, and the move has worked wonders as he translated strong Gold Coast Academy form onto the big stage.
His speed, dash and willingness to jump at the footy were all features as he averaged 12 disposals.
Thomas, meanwhile, showed glimpses early in the season for Tasmania and he was brought into the Allies squad for their second game and maintained his spot in the team thereafter, averaging four marks to underline his aerial confidence.
Another tall back to keep an eye on is GWS Academy's Jim Houston who is more of a lockdown option and shone against Western Australia by locking down Cody Curtin.
Small forward puts himself on radar
Tasmanian small forward Jack Miller had some big games in the Coates League early in the season, propelling him into the Allies squad, where his consistency was important.
Miller kicked at least one goal in all four games to finish the carnival with eight, showcasing his energy, finishing polish and clean hands.
He started off with a bang, kicking three goals against a strong South Australian outfit, with his wicked forward craft and ability at ground level and in the air making him hard to match up on.
