Jhye Clark named in U18 All-Australian team

QUEENSCLIFF and Geelong Falcons player Jhye Clark has got a guernsey in this year’s NAB AFL National Championships U18 Boys All-Australian Team.

The team was selected with 18 players on the field and five interchange players, with players selected in their best positions.

Clark, who played for Vic Country in the championships, was named as the All-Australian rover.

The hard-edged midfielder attacked the ball aggressively and distributed it neatly by both hand and foot on either side of his body during his games, and also displayed hard running both ways.

He averaged 23 disposals (at 70 per cent efficiency), four clearances and five tackles in an outstanding championships.

Clark finished runner-up in the Larke Medal – given to the championships’ best and fairest player – and won Victoria Country’s MVP award.

The 2022 NAB AFL National Championships U18 Boys All-Australian Team features 21 players who will attend the 2022 NAB AFL Draft Combine, along with two bottom-aged players in Harley Reid and Jed Walter, both of whom are eligible for the 2023 NAB AFL Draft.

The team was selected by a panel comprising Kevin Sheehan (AFL talent ambassador – chair), Tarkyn Lockyer (AFL National Academy coach/manager) and AFL club recruiters Scott Clayton (North Melbourne), Mark McKenzie (Hawthorn), Kelly O’Donnell (Melbourne) and Geoff Parker (Port Adelaide).

Sheehan congratulated everyone selected in the All-Australian team and said it was deserved recognition for their outstanding performance throughout the 2022 NAB AFL National Championships U18 Boys.

“Selection in the 2022 NAB AFL National Championships U18 Boys All-Australian Team is a significant honour and all players selected are thoroughly deserving of their place in the team,” Sheehan said.

“The players selected in the 2022 NAB AFL National Championships U18 Boys All-Australian Team represent the best young boys footballers in the country and highlight the quality of talent coming through the national pathway programs.

“Many of the players selected in the team will feature prominently in the 2022 NAB AFL Draft and we look forward to watching their development as AFL players.

“Harley Reid and Jed Walter have been selected in the team as bottom-aged players. Both will be eligible for the 2023 NAB AFL Draft and will be players to look out for again at next year’s Championships.”

The NAB AFL National Championships are the highest level of state and territory representative football, as part of the AFL’s Talent Pathway Program.

The competition features the most talented boys from across Australia who are the next generation of stars in the men’s game.