SA U18 Team win 2025 Marsh AFL National Championships

By ZAC MILBANK

South Australia has secured the 2025 Marsh AFL National Championships with its impressive unbeaten run culminating with a slick 34-point win against Victoria Country in Game 4.

Earning their first crown since 2018, the Croweaters powered over their rivals at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne by slamming on 9.6 to Vic Country’s 5.2 in a decisive second-half display.

With captain Dyson Sharp again a strong presence through the midfield en route to claiming SA’s Most Valuable Player award and tall forwards Mitch Marsh (five) and Aidan Schubert (two) combining for seven goals, Tony Bamford’s charges again proved they are the best in the land.

Already with eye-catching triumphs against the Allies (seven points), Victoria Metro (61 points) and Western Australia (76 points), SA once-again showcased its unselfish, team-orientated brand of football with multiple contributors.

Sharp, who will also be a strong chance to claim the Larke Medal as the best player in Division 1, tallied an equal team-high 21 disposals together with four marks, four tackles and four clearances.

SA led by just six points at half-time as Marsh booted two of his five majors to keep the Croweaters’ noses in front.

Rebounding SA defender Jett Dahlitz let fly from 50m to boot the first goal of the second half before Marsh kicked another three for the term to give the visitors a match-winning lead of 32 points at three-quarter time.

It was party time in the final quarter as SA kicked another three goals to finish off with comfort, adding to its previous national titles won in 1995, 2013, 2014 and 2018.

Marsh finished with five goals straight from his eight disposals and six marks while fellow tall Schubert was equally dangerous further up the ground and inside 50m with his 19 disposals, six marks, four clearances and four hit outs.

Joint vice-captain Jack Cook and ruckman Sam Ainsworth equalled Sharp with 21 disposals each while Dahlitz provided plenty of drive from the back half to go with his valuable goal amongst his 18 possessions.

South Australia  2.6  4.7  10.10   13.13 (91)

Victoria Country  2.4  3.7  5.8  8.9 (57)

BEST – SA: Dyson Sharp, Mitchell Marsh, Jett Dahlitz, Harley Barker, Aidan Schubert, Louis Kellaway, Sam Cumming, Blake Thredgold.

GOALS – SA: Mitchell Marsh 5, Aidan Schubert 2, Dyson Sharp, Zane Peucker, Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier, Jett Dahlitz, Harley Barker, Samuel Cumming.

SA MVP – Dyson Sharp (Central District)

At Marvel Stadium, Melbourne