Queenslanders dominate 2021 U19 Allies Squad announcement

13 Queenslanders will fly the flag for the Allies when the NAB AFL Under 19 Championships kicks off next month on the Gold Coast, with the AFL today announcing the initial 2021 squad.

Representing the north of the state includes Will Bella (Mackay) and Austin Harris (Cairns), alongside Jack Briskey from the Darling Downs (Toowoomba) after his 2021 preseason with Collingwood.

Noosa’s Charlie Bowes is in the mix, as is Broadbeach QAFL star Bodhi Uwland.

Queensland Talent Manager, Mark Browning, said he was pleased by the 2021 squad announcement.

“These young men are playing good quality footy be it Academy, VFL and our QAFL,” he said.

“It’s the mixture of all of those environments that has certainly helped with their footy and their development and shows our pathways are working.

“Importantly, it’s put them in front of national selectors, playing in the VFL which is shown nationally, gives these players from Queensland and the other northern states equal opportunity for exposure.”

For the fifth time the Allies, comprising players from the Northern Territory, NSW/ACT, Queensland and Tasmania, will participate as fully fledged members of division one of the NAB AFL Championships now at Under 19s level.

It’s the concept of the best against the best with the Allies up against the finest AFL prospects from South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria Metro and Victoria Country playing a full round of four matches each.

The Allies are selected from the four AFL Club Academies from the Sydney Swans, GWS Giants, Gold Coast SUNS and Brisbane Lions as well as from the NT Thunder, Tasmanian Devils and NSW based players from the NAB League.

The Allies will be coached by Gold Coast SUNS Academy Head Coach Andrew Raines and are set to go into a training camp next weekend (25^th -27^th June) in Sydney.

AFL Talent Ambassador and Allies Selector, Kevin Sheehan, said the team was selected after promising performances in their state-based talent programs in 2021.

“The quality of talent in AFL growth markets gets better and better every year and we’re excited to see these boys challenge the best from across Australia in the upcoming NAB AFL U19 Championships,” he said.

“Current AFL stars to emerge from the Allies include Brisbane Lions’ star Zac Bailey and Geelong’s Brandon Parfitt (Northern Territory), Gold Coast SUNS’ Jack Bowes (Queensland), Melbourne’s Charlie Spargo (NSW/ACT) and North Melbourne’s Tarryn Thomas (Tasmania).

“2021 NAB AFL Rising Stars nominees include Sydney Swans’ pair Errol Gulden and Braeden Campbell (NSW), GWS GIANTS’ Tom Green (ACT) and Hawthorn’s Jacob Koschitzke (NSW), all graduates of the Allies in the last few years.

“These men are the future of the game and highlight the growth of Australian football across Australia.”

2021 NAB AFL U19 Championships – Allies matches:

Thursday 8 July: Allies v Vic Metro – Metricon Stadium – 2:00pm AEST

Saturday 24 July: SA v Allies – Adelaide Oval/Richmond Oval – 12:00pm ACST

Saturday 31 July: Allies v WA – BISP – 12:00pm AEST

Saturday 14 August: Vic Country v Allies – GMHBA Stadium – 12:00pm AEST

Full schedule at: https://www.afl.com.au/draft/u19s

Initial Allies Training Camp Squad (June 25^th – 27^th, 2021)

Queenslanders:

Full list: