The cream of Australia’s junior football talent will be on the Gold Coast from July 25 as they compete in the NAB AFL Under 16 Championships.

 

Gold Coast Stadium at Carrara will host the first game between Victoria Metro and Queensland at 10am. This game is the first of four warm-up games between the division one teams and division two teams. This is the first time division two teams have the opportunity to play division one teams and will give the myriad of AFL scouts an opportunity to see how the top players from the emerging states fare against the traditional power houses from Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

 

The tournament proper starts on Sunday July 27 with Northern Territory playing NSW/ACT at Carrara from 11am.

 

Division one is between Victoria Metro, Victoria Country, South Australia and Western Australia whilst division two comprises Queensland, NSW/ACT, Northern Territory and Tasmania.

 

With players from this age group set to come into the sights of the new Gold Coast team over the next three years there is even more interest than usual especially from the young Queensland side.

 

The reigning division two champions Queensland Scorpions have six Gold Coasters in their side including Broadbeach midfielder Luke Shreeve who will be playing in the under 16s championship for a second time and Mudgeeraba product Josh Kolka who at just 15 years of age and 198cm will be eligible in the same age group next year.

 

The teams that finish first and second in both divisions will be invited to play on Grand Final day at the MCG on September 27.

 

The first division one match bounces down at Broadbeach on Monday July 28 at 11am.

Southport’s (Fankhauser Reserve), Broadbeach Cats’ (Merrimac Oval) and Gold Coast Stadium, Carrara will be the venues for the games throughout the week and all matches have free entry.