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

Vic Metro

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 18: Harrison Chapman of the AFL National Academy kicks the ball during the Marsh AFL National Academy Boys match between Australia U18 and Richmond VFL at Ikon Park on April 18, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 18: Harrison Chapman of the AFL National Academy kicks the ball during the Marsh AFL National Academy Boys match between Australia U18 and Richmond VFL at Ikon Park on April 18, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

After going 2-2 through last season's championships, Vic Metro are being backed by many to bounce back, with some viewing their squad as the strongest.

AFL Academy members Arki Butler, Harrison Chapman, Harry Van Hattum, Tate Hodgson and Lewis Houndsome lead the way. Van Hattum, however, enters the carnival having missed some footy nursing a minor injury.

Sandringham's Gus Teixeira is another player to watch having rocketed into top 10 considerations

Essendon Next Generation Academy member Blake Justice will feature throughout the carnival, having missed the early part of the season with a hamstring injury.

North Melbourne father-son prospect Sam Harris is another player to watch having racked up plenty of the footy this year in Calder's midfield.

However, Western Bulldogs-tied player Khaled El Souki will miss with an ankle injury.

Fixture

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

Vic Metro v Allies, Sunday June 28, 11am at Mars Stadium, Ballarat

Vic Metro v South Australia, Friday 3 July, 3.15pm at Marvel Stadium

Vic Country v Vic Metro, Sunday July 19, 11am at Mars Stadium, Ballarat

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