Briggs and Koschitzke gain All Australian honours

Two AFL NSW/ACT players have been selected in the 2018 NAB AFL Under-18 All Australian side after stellar performances in the recent Championships.

Allies MVP for the tournament, Kieren Briggs from the GIANTS Academy, was named as the ruckman after successful cameo appearances in both the forward and back lines too.

Albury’s Jacob Koschitzke – also from the GIANTS Academy – was named in the side after a consistent Championships in defence, particularly outstanding in yesterday’s defeat by Western Australia.

The side was dominated by South Australians after they took out the 2018 title.

Allies Assistant Coach, Lloyd Perris says the selection of the two local players is a testament to their hard work in the AFL NSW/ACT talent program.

“The two New South Wales boys are really deserving of their place in the All Australian side,” said Perris.

“They’re both mature guys and were leaders among the Allies group.

“Kieren was the best ruckman over the Championships. He set the tone from Round One and was consistent right throughout, showing his ability to take strong marks and lay strong tackles. I think there would be a few sore boys around the country as a result of Briggsy’s physicality.

“Kosi had a really impressive Championships – he is really competitive. He shut down some of the best key forwards in the country, but also showed he can take intercept marks. We knew he can kicks goals and wanted to give him a chance to show that too, but he was too dominant down back for us, so we had to keep him up there.”

The AFL’s Kevin Sheehan, Luke Power and Marcus Ashcroft, along with club recruiters Dom Milesi (Collingwood), Troy Selwood (Geelong), Luke Williams (Richmond) and Chris Liberatore (St Kilda), made up the All Australian selection committee.

2018 NAB AFL UNDER-18 ALL AUSTRALIAN SQUAD

Defenders: Jez McLennan (South Australia), Jacob Koschitzke (Allies), Isaac Quaynor (Vic Metro), Buku Khamis (Vic Metro), Kyle Reid (Vic Country), Jordan Clark (Western Australia)

Midfielders: Luke English (Western Australia), Kieren Briggs (Allies), Bailey Smith (Vic Metro), Luke Valente (South Australia), Sam Walsh (Vic Country), Chayce Jones (Allies)

Forwards: Bailey Scott (Allies), Jack Lukosius (South Australia), Jackson Hately (South Australia), Izak Rankine (South Australia), Ben King (Vic Metro), Rhylee West (Vic Metro)

Interchange: Sydney Stack (Western Australia), Connor McFadyen (Allies), Mitch O’Neill (Allies), Will Gould (South Australia), Jeremy Sharp (Western Australia)

Coach: Tony Bamford (South Australia)

Assistant coach: Lance Spaulding (Tasmania)

Captain: Sam Walsh

Vice-captain: Luke Valente

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