Oliver Depaoli-Kubank has been rewarded for a stellar campaign in the NAB AFL National Development Championships – U16 Boys, with the Ulverstone star awarded the Alan McLean Medal as Best and Fairest of the Division 2 championships.
He is also Tasmania’s lone player selected in the NAB AFL National Development Championships – U16 Boys All-Australian Team, earning a starting position on the wing. After leading Tasmania to an undefeated campaign, Devils coach Jamie Hayward has been named as assistant coach of the All-Australian side.
This year’s Championships featured 10 teams competing across two divisions, with 15 matches played across Australia over the past two months. Tasmania defeated the Northern Territory, Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions to claim the Division 2 title.
Described by AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan as a “wingman with good speed, agility, courage and neat skills”, Depaoli-Kubank was dominant throughout the championships. He averaged 28.3 disposals (10.7 contested), 7.7 marks and four clearances across three games, and was named as Tasmania’s MVP at the conclusion of their championships.
He becomes the sixth Tasmanian to win the Alan McLean Medal, joining Brady Rawlings (1996), Leon Noel (2003), Maverick Weller (2008), Tarryn Thomas (2016) and Sam Banks (2019).
Tasmania Devils Under-16 Boys Coach, Jamie Hayward, said: “Oli demonstrated his ability to play both inside and outside across the three-game series, with his speed, agility, and balance regularly on display.
“He is a quick thinker under pressure and can use the football on both sides of his body when required, which allows him to navigate difficult situations in play.
“He offered the coaching staff maximum flexibility throughout the championships, with his ability to play inside or outside combined with his marking and smarts inside 50 making him a difficult player for opposing teams to keep in check.”