Six Gold Coast SUNS Academy players have been selected in the Allies squad for the upcoming 2023 AFL National Championships.
In total, the SUNS Academy represents almost 20 percent off the 31-player squad which comprises players from the Northern Territory, NSW/ACT, Queensland and Tasmania.
Three Palm Beach Currumbin products feature in the side including AFL Academy duo Jed Walter and Ethan Read as well as William Graham.
Jake Rogers, who was best afield in the AFL Academy’s win over Carlton VFL earlier this month, has been named out of the SUNS Academy and Broadbeach, while Broadbeach and Burleigh junior Leo Lombard has also been selected alongside Surfers Paradise tall Nick Williams.
Academy Coach Dale Eames also features in the Allies’ coaching panel.
The Allies will be coached by Mark McVeigh, who is currently serving as head coach of the Sydney Swans Academy’s U18 Boys program.
The Allies squad will come together for a training camp in Sydney this weekend in preparation for the commencement of the Championships.
The 2023 AFL National Championships – U18 Boys will be played across Australia throughout June and July, featuring the Allies, South Australia, Victoria Country, Victoria Metro and Western Australia.
The Championships commence with a clash between the Allies and South Australia at Adelaide’s Thebarton Oval on Sunday, June 4.
The AFL National Championships are the highest level of state and territory representative football, as part of the AFL’s Talent Pathway Program.
All games will be broadcast live and free on AFL.com.au.