A pair of AFL draft talents on the losing side of last weekend's two U18s Boys National Championships games did their prospects no harm, putting in strong performances to catch the eye.

As South Australia clinched the U18s National Championships title on Sunday at Marvel Stadium, a craft Vic Country forward was a standout for his side.

Geelong Falcons talent Hugo Mikunda was an integral conduit player for Vic Country in the eventual 34-point defeat, with 11 of the team's 17 scores for the game going through him.

Mikunda ended the game with 18 disposals, six inside 50s, 427 metres gained, nine marks, three intercept possessions and a goal in the front half of the field, enjoying his best game of the carnival so far.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 07: Hugo Mikunda of Victoria Country in action during the Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Western Australia and Victoria Country at Mineral Resources Park, on June 07, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 07: Hugo Mikunda of Victoria Country in action during the Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Western Australia and Victoria Country at Mineral Resources Park, on June 07, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Speaking on this week's episode of Craft of the Draftanalyst Jonty Ralphsmith revealed those around Mikunda had anticipated a big game was on the horizon for the Bell Park native.

"He had 11 score involvements from his [18] disposals. He was a really good connecting forward of centre and kicked a goal of his own," Ralphsmith said.

"People around him and at the Geelong Falcons have said he's going to explode at some point this year. He's got the attributes as that forward-midfielder.

"Had an injury-interrupted start to the season and showed on the weekend why there's been so much hype around him."

In the second of the double-header at Docklands over the weekend, Western Australia fell agonisingly short of a second win at the National Championships, losing to the Allies by five points.

Despite the loss, WA defender-midfielder Jacob Farrow was seen as arguably the best on the ground, continuing to build on a strong draft campaign.

Farrow recorded 29 disposals, 803 metres gained and used the ball at 89.7 per cent efficiency to go with his nine marks and four score involvements.

"I want to start with a player from the losing side for WA who I thought was best-on, Jacob Farrow," Craft of the Draft's Mitch Keating said.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 07: Jacob Farrow of Western Australia in action during the Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Western Australia and Victoria Country at Mineral Resources Park, on June 07, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 07: Jacob Farrow of Western Australia in action during the Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Western Australia and Victoria Country at Mineral Resources Park, on June 07, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

"It was a fantastic game for him, who has been one of the more important contributors in WA's carnival to date. He's rubber-stamped himself as a bona fide prospect this year.

"250 metres gained more than any other player and still used the ball at about 90 per cent efficiency.

"He was damaging on both ends as an interceptor and a sling-shot option out of defence."

You can watch this week's full episode of Craft of the Draft via the player below, or head to Zero Hanger's YouTube channel.

July Rankings + SA Win U18s Champs | Craft of the Draft AFL