2026 AAMI SA U18 Team – Game 1

By ZAC MILBANK

A 24-player AAMI SA U18 Team has been named to open its 2026 Marsh AFL National Championships defence against Western Australia in Perth on Saturday. 

Captained by dynamic midfielder Kodah Edwards and coached by Tony Bamford, the Croweaters will be looking to start strongly against the Sandgropers at Mineral Resources Park from 12pm SA time.

Already without joint vice-captain Dougie Cochrane (knee), South Australia will also be missing Richmond father-son prospect Jack Leys (hamstring) and tall midfielder Archie Van Dyk (lower back).

But playmaking forward Gabe Patterson made a successful return from a shoulder injury for Glenelg in the AAMI Talent League last weekend, ensuring he would be included on the six-player interchange.

With Edwards listed to start at half-forward, SA boasts a strong midfield mix led by mobile ruck Ethan Herbert, who will likely rotate with 207cm Jobe Janeway inside the attacking 50m arc.

Jacob McNicol, Memphis Webb and Cain Florance are all likely to join Edwards at the feet of Herbert throughout the contest.

Tall defenders Harry Franz and Mitch Harris will lead the backline, with the latter showing great form to win the MVP medal in the win against the SA U20 team.

After the Croweaters open their campaign against Western Australia in Perth on Saturday, they will host the Allies at Alberton on Sunday June 21 before finishing with away clashes against Victoria Metro (Friday July 3) and Victoria Country (Wednesday July 8).

All matches in the 2026 Marsh U18 AFL National Championships will be live-streamed via the match centre on the AFL website and AFL Live Official App.

2026 Marsh AFL U18 National Championships – Game 1
Saturday June 13 at Mineral Resources Park (Perth) from 12pm (ACST)
Western Australia v South Australia

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

F: Jack Slattery (Eagles), Jobe Janeway (Glenelg), Lachie Werts (Sturt)

HF: Kodah Edwards (South), Charlie Bradford (West), Anthony Long (West)

C: Taj Garrett (Sturt), Jack Nelson (Sturt), Sam Tassone (North)

HB: Kale Mathews-Hampton (Sturt), Harry Franz (Glenelg), Jake Eime (Central)

B: Jack Gordon (Central), Mitchell Harris (Eagles), Zacky Young (North)

R: Ethan Herbert (North),  Jacob McNicol (Glenelg),  Memphis Webb (North)

INT: Cain Florance (South), Gabe Patterson (Glenelg), Kai Ivins (Norwood), Harvey Chapman (Sturt), Harvey Croker (Glenelg), Josh Bell (West)