Revisiting the 2014 Under-18 All-Australian team

15 of the 22 currently find themselves on an AFL list.

STAFF WRITER | October 28, 2022 - 5:02pm

3501

The next instalment of revisiting past Under-18 All-Australian teams sees us go back to 2014.

This 22-man selection features a talented group, a cohort featuring a future three premiership players, one of them with a Norm Smith, six club best and fairests, nine 22under22 selections and 10 All-Australian blazers.

Seven players from this team are no longer on an AFL list, with three of them never playing a senior game.

Looking back now, while a few players could be swapped out, backing up the notion that many scouts are prone to exaggerating or misjudging a player prior to their drafting, the majority of those selected proved to be diamonds in the rough.

Defenders

You can split this group of defenders into two halves, those still playing, and those not.

Those who aren't still playing, are the motley crew of Ed Vickers-Willis, Harrison Wigg and Josh McGuinness, with the latter two failing to make their senior debut.

Luckless Roo Vickers-Willis battled injury most of his career, and only managed 21 games before he was delisted.

McGuinness was cut from the Lions after two injury-riddled seasons, while Wigg was drafted by Adelaide, and starred in the reserves but couldn't break into the seniors. A move to Gold Coast seemed promising to finally get game time, but there too was no hope for him.

For those who still call AFL home?

Darcy Tucker played 108 games for Fremantle, predominantly as a winger/flanker, and during this off-season was traded to North Melbourne.

Carlton's Caleb Marchbank has had a horrible run with injury. The 2014 No.6 pick, saw his career stall in 2019. He missed all of 2020-21 due to knee injuries but finally returned this year, but the cruel nature of footy saw him injured again a week later.

Premiership Demon Angus Brayshaw has been more than serviceable for Melbourne in his 143 games thus far.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: Angus Brayshaw of the Demons handballs whilst being tackled during the round three AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Essendon Bombers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 01, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Midfielders

Like the defence, this side's midfield is split into two, with the half who are still playing being exponentially talented.

Those who aren't in the league, Jake Johansen failed to get drafted, despite featuring in the Under-18 AA team, while Paul Ahern and Billy Stretch were delisted by the Kangaroos and the Demons respectively.

The three other starting mids are still in the league and playing well.

Christian Petracca needs little introduction, the star premiership Demon has a Norm Smith, a best and fairest and three consecutive All-Australian selections to his name.

Isaac Heeney, the highflying Swan, is one of Sydney's best, started off his career in strong form and continues to shine earning his first All-Australian blazer this year.

The ruckman of this team, Peter Wright has claimed his maiden Crichton Medal (best and fairest) and is the Bombers leading goal kicker of 2022.

Peter Wright during the AFL match between Essendon and Adelaide, Round 4, 2022 (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media

Forwards

Each and every one of these cohorts forwards find themselves on an AFL list currently. All players have since had position changes too.

At half forward you have Callum Mills, Darcy Moore and Rhys Mathieson.

Swans co-captain Mills has cemented himself as an elite midfielder, earning All-Australian and club best and fairest honours this year.

Moore, despite a bit of a poor run with some injuries, is now an All-Australian (2020) half- back, and potential future captain of the Magpies.

Mathieson has played 72 games for the Lions, but finds himself on the outskirts of the team, putting out big numbers in the VFL.

In the forward pockets, there is Jayden Laverde and Caleb Daniel. Both players have moved to the defence, Laverde at Essendon and Daniel with the Western Bulldogs. The premiership Bulldog enjoyed a career-best season in 2020, winning the best and fairest and being named in the All-Australian.

At full forward was Paddy McCartin, the former Saint now Swan, who has had a run with injuries but finds himself a valuable member of the Swans.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 19: Tom McCartin of the Swans (left) and brother Paddy embrace after the 2022 AFL Round 01 match between the GWS Giants and the Sydney Swans at Accor Stadium on March 19, 2022 In Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Interchange

The interchange bench sees four midfielders take the spots.

Jack Steele highlights the bunch, the two-time Trevor Barker Award (best and fairest) winner and All-Australian is best known as a Saint, and rightfully so given his individual success, but he also played 17 games for GWS previously.

Darcy Parish enjoyed five seasons before breaking out in 2021. The Bomber went on an award collecting spree, taking home the Anzac Day Medal, Yiokeen Award, Tom Wills Award and an All-Australian selection.

The other two players, Connor Blakely, has played 78 games for Fremantle and has won a best and fairest for Peel Thunder, while Ben Keays went from being delisted by Brisbane to now starring in the Adelaide engine room for the past three seasons.