THE 2024 AFL Under 16 All Australian side is littered with talent from the four Pool A sides, with South Australia having a high of five representatives. The Croweaters were beaten in a dramatic final day decider by Vic Country, who took home the title and lay claim to four members of the 23-player team.
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South Australian MVP and Kevin Sheehan Medalist Douglas Cochrane features at centre half-back, while Vic Country’s golden point hero Wil Malady slots in at the other end, and Carlton father-son prospect Cody Walker captains the side from midfield having taken out Country’s MVP award.
Along with South Australia’s five and the Vic Country quartet, Western Australia also contributed four players. Among them is MVP Lucas Robinson (rover) and tall forward Koby LeCras. Meanwhile, Vic Metro only had two representatives, headlined by mercurial forward Arki Butler.
In addition to the 15 Pool A stars, eight players out of Pool B also made the cut. The Sydney Swans Academy took home championship honours by defeating Tasmania on the final day, but the latter side boast three players in the squad to the Swans’ two.
Tassie MVP Ewan Dillon slots in on the bench alongside Ryder Bugg, while swingman Charlie Bovill takes up a deserved place at full-back. The Swans are represented by wingman Guy Jenkin and key forward Aidan McCartney, who is the son of 107-game former Roo Jason.
Brisbane Lions Academy midfielder Matthew Owen was squeezed out of the starting lineup but is locked in on the interchange after taking out the Alan McLean Medal as Pool B best and fairest. He is one of two Lions in the side, while Gold Coast captain and MVP Archie Hill is another standout from Queensland.
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POOL A:
South Australia (5):
Douglas Cochrane, Jack Gordon, Archie Van Dyk, Ethan Herbert, Angus White
Vic Country (4):
Cody Walker, Marcus Prasad, Wil Malady, Tanner Armstrong
Vic Metro (2):
Arki Butler, Tate Hodgson
Western Australia (4):
Garrison Kenh, Lucas Robinson, Koby LeCras, Leo Steed
POOL B:
Brisbane Lions Academy (2):
Matthew Owen, Caylen Murray
Gold Coast Suns Academy (1):
Archie Hill
GWS Giants Academy: Nil
Northern Territory: Nil
Sydney Swans Academy (2):
Aidan McCartney, Guy Jenkin
Tasmania (3):
Charlie Bovill, Ryder Bugg, Ewan Dillon