AFL FANS will get their first look at the prospective No.1 pick at the 2012 NAB AFL Draft when Lachie Whitfield runs out onto the MCG as part of the Australian Under-18 team to take on the Box Hill Hawks.

The match will be the curtain raiser for the Richmond-Carlton clash in round one and marks the official start of the 2012 NAB AFL Under-18 program, which incorporates the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

It follows last year's successful experiment that saw the Australian Under-18 team, comprised of AIS-AFL Academy squad members, defeat Geelong's VFL team by just one point at the MCG.

"This year our national under-18 program starts off with the very best - the Australian Under-18 team - taking on Box Hill in the AFL Invitational Challenge," AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan said.

"It gives the Hawks an excellent hit-out at the 'G and it gives our under-18 boys a genuine feel for the standard required to win a spot on an AFL list, which is obviously the aspiration of all 30 players."

Whitfield's eye-catching form with Vic Country and the Dandenong Stingrays made him hot property before a ball was bounced this year and installed him as early favourite to be taken with the first pick of the NAB AFL Draft.

"Given that it's an open draft, all the compromised aspects are gone with the establishment of the two new clubs' lists, there will be plenty of excitement about the best kids in the nation this year," Sheehan said.

Collingwood, Geelong, Essendon and Melbourne fans will also have a particular interest in proceedings with each club having a potential father-son draftee playing in the match.

James Stewart (son of the Pies' Craig) and Jordan Bourke (son of the Cats' Damian) will get a chance to further their cases for selection under the rule, while Joe Daniher (son of the Bombers' Anthony) and Jack Viney (son of the Demons' Todd) have already received commitments from their respective clubs.

The Academy squad will embark on a European tour including stops in Milan, London and Paris shortly after the game.

Following the tour, the players will join their state representative teammates for the national championships, which kick off on Saturday, May 26, when the Northern Territory hosts last year's national title winners Vic Metro at TIO Stadium.

This year's national tournament takes place over seven weeks and sees games played in every state and territory except the ACT.

The final division one games will, once again, be held at Etihad Stadium and will be televised nationally on Foxtel on Wednesday, July 4, as will the fourth-round division one matches from Simonds Stadium.

Showcase Game

Thursday 29 March: AFL Invitational Challenge - Australian Under 18s v Box Hill Hawks (curtain-raiser to the Richmond v Carlton game).

Full Under-18s Fixture

Round 1
 Match 1Match 2VenueDateDayTime (local)
Wk1

NT v VIC Metro

 TIO Stadium26 MaySaturday6.30pm
Wk2

QLD v WA

NSW/ACT v VIC CountryBlacktown2 JuneSaturday11.00am and 1.30pm
Wk2

TAS v SA4:45pm

 Bellerive3 JuneSunday11.30am
Round 2
 Match 1Match 2VenueDateDayTime (local)
Wk3

WA v NSW/ACT

 Pattersons Stadium9 JuneSaturday12pm
Wk3

VIC Country v QLD

VIC Metro v TASVisy Park10 JuneSunday12pm and 2.30pm
Wk3

SA v NT

 AAMI Stadium10 JuneSunday1.00pm
Round 3
 Match 1Match 2VenueDateDayTime (local)
Wk4

SA v VIC Metro

 Norwood Oval16 JuneSaturday12pm
Wk4

WA v VIC Country

 Patersons Stadium17 JuneSunday12pm and 2.30pm
Wk5

QLD v TAS

 Yeronga23 JuneSaturday12pm
Wk5NSW/ACT v NT Blacktown23 JuneSaturday12pm
Round 4
 Match 1Match 2VenueDateDayTime (local)
Wk6

VIC Metro v VIC Country

WA v SASimonds Stadium29 JuneFriday12pm and 2.30pm
Wk6

NT v QLD

TAS v NSW/ACTVisy Park30 JuneSaturday12pm and 2.30pm
Round 5
 Match 1Match 2VenueDateDayTime (local)
Wk7

VIC Country v SA

VIC Metro v WAEtihad Stadium4 JulyWednesday5.35pm and 7.35pm
Wk7

NT v TAS

QLD v NSW/ACTSimonds Stadium5 JulyThursday12pm and 2.15pm


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