The Under-18s National Championships get underway on Saturday afternoon with Western Australia taking on South Australia.

Vic Metro, Vic Country, Western Australia, South Australia and the Allies, made up of Queensland, Northern Territory, NSW/ACT and Tasmania, each play four games across the next seven weeks.

It provides a critical opportunity for recruiters to get an insight to the top junior prospects against the best in the country. A significant portion of players selected at November's National and Rookie Drafts will play in the carnival.

Following Western Australia and South Australia's game, the Allies host Vic Country at Blacktown on Sunday.

Vic Metro starts its carnival next Saturday in Perth against Western Australia.

Vic Metro and South Australia are viewed as the two strongest squads entering the National Championships.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Arki Butler of Team Boak kicks during the Marsh AFL National Futures Boys match between Team Boak and Team Docherty at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 27, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Arki Butler of Team Boak kicks during the Marsh AFL National Futures Boys match between Team Boak and Team Docherty at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 27, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Team-by-team preview

Western Australia

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 22: Lucas Robinson of Western Australia kicks the ball during the Marsh AFL National Development Championships match between U16 Boys South Australia and Western Australia at Thebarton Oval on June 22, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Maya Thompson/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 22: Lucas Robinson of Western Australia kicks the ball during the Marsh AFL National Development Championships match between U16 Boys South Australia and Western Australia at Thebarton Oval on June 22, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Maya Thompson/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Western Australia is the most equipped side for the Under-18s National Championships this year, having played six trial games – five against WAFL Reserves sides and one against an Under-20s representative side.

Ruck Benji Van Rooyen and elite-kicking half-back/midfielder Heath Mellody are the only AFL Academy members who will line up for WA's first game. Van Rooyen is the brother of Melbourne forward, Jacob.

Koby Lecras, the nephew of Mark Lecras, will not play any part in the AFL Academy series due to an ACL sprain suffered in April, but has already established himself as a first round prospect after a strong start to the year.

Meanwhile, West Coast Next Generation Academy speedster Garrison Kenh has been left out of the side for game one.

Fremantle-tied Lucas Robinson will bear significant responsibility in the midfield and is in first round calculations, so looms as one to watch. Small forward Finlay Yeo is also a member of the Dockers Academy and Robby Farmer is West Coast-tied.

Pacy midfielder-forward Leo Steed, versatile running machine George Gale and swingman Harvey Spawton-Guy are others to have advanced their prospects through the trial match phase.

Bottom-aged ruck Axel Walsh has showed real upside in the trialed after missing with a long term knee injury sustained last year and is on Tasmania's watchlist

Fellow bottom-ager Maxim Collins has also got eyes on him after a strong start to the year as a full-back.

Fixture

Western Australia v South Australia, Saturday 13 June, 12.30pm at Mineral Resources Park, Joondalup

Western Australia v Vic Metro, Saturday 20 June, 12.20pm at Victor George Kailis Oval, Perth

Vic Country v Western Australia, Friday July 3, 5.45pm at Marvel Stadium

Allies v Western Australia, Wednesday July 8, 1pm at Mars Stadium, Ballarat

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