GWS-linked midfielder Ethan Matthews put on the starring performance of the opening weekend of the 2026 U18s National Championships to further enhance his AFL Draft stocks.
Matthews, who suited up for the Allies in the side's opener against Vic Country on Sunday, entered the carnival as one of the Talent League's form players, having averaged 35.3 disposals, 9.0 inside 50s, 6.3 marks, 5.3 tackles and 2.7 goals from each of his three outings for the Giants' Academy.
While the Allies fell short in their National Championships opener, Matthews came away from the defeat as the standout performer on the field and the weekend's headline act - coming in at No.1 in Craft of the Draft's Champs Chart for Week 1.
"It was one of the more dominant (games) I've seen at the Champs in recent memory," Craft of the Draft host Mitch Keating said on this week's episode.
"I thought his work rate was really good and he seemed to cover the ground really well. When you have 11 clearances and are doing it at the source, and then also coming away with 20 uncontested touches to try and find that space and get into positions and get away from your opponent. And his ball use was quite clean too.
"We were keen to see where he would take his game at the Champs with the form he's had in the Talent League for the GWS Academy... that was a very, very good start."
Matthews' kicking was "a massive reason why the Allies were as competitive as they were", with his ability to set-up scores and release pressure from the contest with exit kicks catching the eye.
The performance, coupled with his form for the Giants' pathways side and the AFL Academy, now has Matthews firmly in the mix as a first-round prospect for 2026.
"GWS have got one who's bolting into top 10 contention off the back of that," Craft of the Draft's Jonty Ralphsmith said of the Ingleburn native.
"It was the most dominant Champs game we've seen for some time. His kicking, whether it was at full speed in space and then steady, or in traffic to spot up a target and make the right decision to hit the target, both were exemplary and a massive reason why the Allies were as competitive as they were for as long as they were."
