AFL Draft: Famous names, Academy guns selected in 2024 Allies squad

A host of familiar surnames and top Academy prospects have been named in a 31-player Allies squad for this year's National Championships.

Following an undefeated 2023 run, the Allies enter this year's carnival as the reigning premiers, with their first title-winning campaign led by the likes of Ryley Sanders, Jed Walter, Connor O'Sullivan and Colby McKercher.

This year, the Allies will look to some of last season's top bottom-age prospects and next wave of draft stars from Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

Headlining this year's squad will be Gold Coast Suns Academy gun Leonardo Lombard and Brisbane Academy ace Sam Marshall, who both featured in the Allies' successful 2023 carnival.

The Queensland pair are joined by fellow AFL Academy members Joel Cochran, Oliver Dean, Ricky Mentha and Jobe Shanahan in making the Allies squad for 2024.

Also included in the squad are a number of family ties to current and past V/AFL players.

Gold Coast Academy tall Kalani White is the son of Melbourne great Jeff White and is eligible for the 2025 draft, while teammate Zeke Uwland is the younger brother of Suns defender Bodhi.

Zai Millane, another Suns Academy prospect, is the nephew of late Collingwood champion Darren Millane.

Palmerston and Oakleigh Chargers talent Waylon Davey-Motlop is the cousin of Essendon pair Alwyn and Jayden Davey, and Carlton's Jesse Motlop.

Other prominent names to feature in the Allies squad are Tasmanian pair Nathaniel Sulzberger and Geordie Payne, as well as Sydney Academy duo Noah Chamberlain and Lachlan Carmichael, who both made last year's U16 All-Australian side.

Fellow bottom-age prospects Daniel Annable, Taj Murray, Uwland and White also won the selection honours last year.

Former Western Bulldogs ruckman and Brisbane Lions Academy boys coach Mitch Hahn will coach the side.

The Allies' first game will come at Thebarton Oval when they take on South Australia on Sunday, May 26.

2024 Allies squad