The AFL has today announced the 2022 NAB AFL National Championships U18 Boys All-Australian Team, with Tasmania Devils superstar Lachlan Cowan selected in the side.
The North Launceston Football Club young gun, formerly of the Devonport Football Club, starred for the combined Allies side in the championships, and he has been rewarded with a place on the half-back line of the All-Australian team. That is just the latest accolade in an amazing season for Cowan, who also won the Morrish Medal as the NAB League’s Best and Fairest Player and finished runner-up in the Tasmania Devils Best and Fairest.
Playing in all four games for the Allies, Cowan averaged 22 disposals and six rebound 50s per game, racking up at least 20 disposals in each contest and using the ball at 75% efficiency. He was exceptional in the Allies’ win over Western Australia, finishing with 26 disposals, four marks and eight tackles.
AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan had plenty of praise for Cowan, describing him as “a strong and powerful medium defender who intercepted extremely well and provided dash for the Allies”.
Sheehan congratulated everyone selected in the All-Australian team and said it was deserved recognition for their outstanding performance throughout the 2022 NAB AFL National Championships U18 Boys.“Selection in the 2022 NAB AFL National Championships U18 Boys All-Australian Team is a significant honour and all players selected are thoroughly deserving of their place in the team,” Sheehan said.“The players selected in the 2022 NAB AFL National Championships U18 Boys All-Australian Team represent the best young boys footballers in the country and highlight the quality of talent coming through the national pathway programs.“Many of the players selected in the team will feature prominently in the 2022 NAB AFL Draft and we look forward to watching their development as AFL players.”
The 2022 NAB AFL National Championships U18 Boys All-Australian Team was selected by a panel comprising Kevin Sheehan (AFL Talent Ambassador – Chairman), Tarkyn Lockyer (AFL National Academy Coach/Manager) and AFL club recruiters Scott Clayton (North Melbourne), Mark McKenzie (Hawthorn), Kelly O’Donnell (Melbourne) and Geoff Parker (Port Adelaide).The NAB AFL National Championships are the highest level of state and territory representative football, as part of the AFL’s Talent Pathway Program. The competition features the most talented boys from across Australia who are the next generation of stars in the men’s game.