Twelve Victorian’s have been selected in the 2014 NAB AFL U18 Championship All Australian team.
Vic Metro (7) and Vic Country (5) represent over half of the 22 selections made at the end of the Championship, with eight of AFL Victoria’s TAC Cup clubs having a player named with All Australian honours.
The honour for these players is just reward for their achievements across the Championships in 2014, with each being a standout.
AFL National and International Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan said this year’s championships were played to a high standard and many players put their names forward for selection.
“Many of the players selected today will be named by clubs at the NAB AFL Draft in November,” he said.
“Both Victorian teams played very well throughout the carnival and they have been rewarded with 12 All-Australian players. It was also very pleasing to see three players from New South Wales included.”
“South Australia were outstanding winning Division One back-to-back. Theirs was a very even team performance and they were rewarded with four players selected.”
Last year Victoria had eight players named in the All Australian team, with all eight drafted and having made their AFL debut this season including the likes of Jack Billings, Josh Kelly and Zak Jones.
2014 NAB AFL U18 All Australian Team - Victorian selections
Defenders:
Ed Vickers-Willis
Vic- Metro/Sandringham Dragons/Melb Grammar
190cm / 82kg / DOB: 23/3/1996
Tall defender with excellent athleticism enabling him to play on the taller forwards. Makes good decisions defensively when spoiling and marking, as well as setting up the play from the back half. Had very consistent championships, averaging 16 disposals at 81.2% efficiency, 4.2 marks and 3.4 rebound 50s.
Darcy Tucker
Vic Country/North Ballarat Rebels/Horsham Saints
183cm / 76kg / DOB: 23/1/1997
Medium defender with excellent speed and rebound using his long left foot to advantage. Bottom aged player who excels one on one, tackles strongly and is a prolific ball winner. Averaged 20.7 disposals at 80.6% efficiency and 5 rebound 50s per game.
Caleb Marchbank
Vic Country/Murray Bushrangers/Benella Saints
193cm / 85kg / DOB: 7/12/1996
Very competitive tall defender with excellent mobility and repeat efforts. Anticipates well in coming off his man to support his defence and is strong overhead. Can also push forward and provide a marking target for his team. Averaging 13.5 disposals, 4 marks and 3 tackles.
Angus Brayshaw
Vic Metro/Sandringham Dragons/Hampdon FC
187cm / 86kg / DOB: 9/1/1996
Medium defender/midfielder who distributes the ball very effectively by either hand and on both feet. Clearances specialist who reads the game exceptionally well using is athleticism to get to and away from stoppages. Averaged 21.8 disposals, 5 Inside 50s and 4 tackles.
Midfield:
Paul Ahern
Vic Metro/Calder Cannons/Keilor FC
181cm / 77kg / DOB: 1/8/1996
Smooth moving midfielder with excellent balance and running capacity. Has an innate ability to make the difficult look easy. Is dangerous when he pushes forward and can kick long goals on the run. Has an excellent mix of speed and endurance and can play inside or outside. Averaged 17 disposals at 71.8% efficiency, 3 clearances and 1.4 goals per game.
Christian Petracca
Vic Metro/Eastern Ranges/Beverley Hills JFC
186cm / 92kg / DOB: 4/1/1996
Powerful inside midfielder/forward who is strong overhead and is a clearance star. Breaks tackles with his elite agility and tackles strongly. Vic Metro MVP and Larke Medallist. Kicking has become a real asset. Averaged 25 disposals, 5.4 marks and 5 clearances.
Peter Wright
Vic Metro/Calder Cannons/Mooney Valley FC
203cm / 102kg / DOB: 8/9/1996
Ruckman/Tall Forward who is a long, accurate shot for goal and sound overhead mark. Mobile player who’s ruckwork is impressive, using his height to advantage. Very good below his knees and has great running capacity. Averaged 11.6 disposals, 4.2 marks and 20.6 hitouts per game in championships.
Forwards:
Darcy Moore
Vic Metro/Oakleigh Chargers/Kew Comets JFC
199cm / 93kg / DOB: 25/1/1996
Tall forward or defender with excellent closing speed and natural leap. Strong overhead mark and smart around goals, kicking 4 goals vs WA at Simonds Stadium in R5. Averaged 9.2 disposals and 3 marks in roles both forward and back.
Rhys Mathieson
Vic Country/Geelong Falcons/Bell Park FC
185cm / 80kg / DOB: 10/1/1997
Medium midfielder/forward who wins contested ball, has clean and quick hands and great courage in his attack on the ball. Strong overhead and won championships B & F in Division 1 of the U16 championships in 2013. Averaged 21 disposals (10 contested) and 6 clearances in U18 championships as a bottom aged player.
Jayden Laverde
Vic Metro/Western Jets/PEGS
189cm / 82kg / DOB: 12/4/1996
Smooth moving medium forward/midfielder with neat left foot kick. Can turn opponents inside out with his agility and is dangerous around goals. Strong overhead and a difficult match up with athletic attributes in forward half or in midfield. Avergaed 16.8 disposals at 74% efficiency and 5 marks.
Patrick McCartin
Vic Country/Geelong Falcons/St Josephs
193cm / 95kg / DOB: 19/4/1996
Tall forward who times his leads well and is a one grab player & strong overhead mark. Imposes himself on games and is dangerous around goals with accurate snaps or with his sound technique for set shots. Averaged 4 marks and 2.3 goals in the championships.
Interchange:
Darcy Parish
Vic Country/Geelong Falcons/Winchelsea
180cm / 73kg / DOB: 25/7/1997
Dashing medium midfielder with great feel for the game, courage and a good ball user. Bottom aged player, not turning 17 until later this month. Averaged 16.2 disposals, 3.6 inside 50s and 2.8 clearances in the championships.
See below the full 2014 NAB AFL U18 All Australian Team:
Coach – Jason Saddington (NSW/ACT)
Assistant Coach – Brenton Phillips (SA)
Defenders:
Harrison Wigg (South Australia), Ed Vickers-Willis (VIC- Metro/Sandringham Dragons), Josh McGuinness (Tasmania), Darcy Tucker (Vic Country/North Ballarat Rebels), Caleb Marchbank (Vic Country/Murray Bushrangers), Angus Brayshaw (Vic Metro/Sandringham Dragons)
Midfield:
Paul Ahern (Vic Metro/Calder Cannons), Christian Petracca (Vic Metro/Eastern Ranges), Peter Wright (Vic Metro/Calder Cannons), Isaac Heeney (NSW/ACT), Jake Johansen (South Australia)
Forwards:
Callum Mills (NSW/ACT), Darcy Moore (Vic Metro/Oakleigh Chargers), Rhys Mathieson (Vic Country/Geelong Falcons), Jayden Laverde (Vic Metro/Western Jets), Patrick McCartin (Vic Country/Geelong Falcons), Caleb Daniel (South Australia),
Interchange:
Connor Blakely (Western Australia), Ben Keays (Queensland), Darcy Parish (Vic Country/Geelong Falcons), Jack Steele (NSW/ACT)
Selectors:
Kevin Sheehan, Mick Ablett, Brad Johnson (AFL), Rohan O’Brien (WCE), Dom Ambrogio (GCS), Jason Taylor (Melbourne), Stephen Wells (Geelong).
See below the highlights from the 12 Victorian All Australian players.
CLICK HERE to view the video
Last Modified on 10/07/2014 15:48