2024 Young Guns Series announced

A host of Victoria’s top prospects in contention for this year’s AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft will feature against the state’s best under 18 boys footballers in the 2024 Young Guns Series, which begins this weekend.

The two-game series will see the Young Guns take on Victoria Metro and Victoria Country under 18 teams over the next two weeks.

The Young Guns will play Victoria Metro at Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday, April 20 from 4:20pm. They will then take on Victoria Country on Sunday, April 28 at Windy Hill from 11:00am.

The Young Guns comprises players eligible for selection in the 2024 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft, which will be held on Wednesday, May 29.

The team is selected from nominations submitted by AFL club recruiters, along with input from VFL clubs and Coates Talent League programs.

All players selected for the Young Guns are aged 19 or under as of January 1, 2024. The team features prospects who compete in the VFL or as overage players in the Coates Talent League Boys competition.

The past two No. 1 picks in the AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft, Ryan Maric and Jai Culley, both represented the Young Guns before being selected by the West Coast Eagles.

Other current AFL-listed players who have represented the Young Guns in recent years include Essendon midfielder Sam Durham, Hawthorn’s Massimo D’Ambrosio, Gold Coast Suns’ recruit Sam Clohesy and Round 4 AFL Rising Star nominee Harvey Gallagher from the Western Bulldogs.

Calder Cannons assistant coach Matt O’Connor will again serve as head coach of the Young Guns, with Jon Mole (Dandenong Stingrays), Mathew Dunham (Bendigo Pioneers), Simon Abrahams (Eastern Ranges) and Joshua Schwandt (Calder Cannons serving as assistants.

Victoria Metro and Victoria Country will use the Young Guns Series as a trial ahead of selecting their final squads to compete at the 2024 Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys.

Players who aren’t named to play for Victoria Metro and Victoria Country in the Young Guns Series remain eligible for selection in the final squads to compete at the Championships.

Continue below to see the squads for this week’s match between the Young Guns and Victoria Metro. Squads for the clash between the Young Guns and Victoria Country will be announced next week.

HOW TO WATCH: Both games in the 2024 Young Guns Series will be available to watch live and free on the AFL website.

YOUNG GUNS SERIES – GAME 1
Young Guns vs Victoria Metro U18
Saturday, April 20 at 4:20pm
Avalon Airport Oval, Werribee
 
YOUNG GUNS

 
VICTORIA METRO