South Australia celebrates after winning the title following the Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys match between Victoria Country and South Australia at Marvel Stadium on June 29, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos

MITCH Marsh starred as South Australia stormed to its first Marsh AFL National Under-18 Boys Championships title since 2018, claiming the outright win on Sunday with its fourth straight victory of the national carnival.

And it was again led by the group of players who have pushed up their draft stocks, with Dyson Sharp, Marsh and Aidan Schubert central to the victory over Vic Country at Marvel Stadium.

VIC COUNTRY v SOUTH AUSTRALIA Full match coverage and stats

The 34-point win under the roof in Melbourne completes South Australia's clean sweep of the carnival in their fourth and final game to win 13.13 (91) to 8.9 (57) and go through unbeaten.

Marsh's haul of five goals took his tally to 12 for the carnival, with the left-footer continuing to show his smarts inside-50 and his classy conversion skills to stamp himself as a first-round draft talent. The son of former Crows and Tigers player Ben is not eligible for either club as a father-son pick. 

01:27

Five of the best sees Marsh light up the U18 Champs

Mitch Marsh shows plenty of class to deliver a five-goal haul against Vic Country

Schubert was also excellent, capping a terrific championships with two goals from 19 disposals and six marks, with the SA key forward proving hard to stop for Vic Country, while Sharp finished with 21 disposals and a goal and was instrumental in setting up the win. The SA captain was also named his state's most valuable player for the carnival. 

00:29

Skipper Sharp brings SA right back

South Australia captain Dyson Sharp levels the scores with a textbook mark and finish

Jack Cook (21 disposals), ruckman Sam Ainsworth (21 disposals, 12 hitouts) and Jett Dahlitz (19) were also consistent contributors in SA's win.

Vic Country started strongly and only trailed by six points at half-time before being blown away in the second half, booting five goals to South Australia's nine. 

Josh Lindsay showed his stellar kicking with 28 disposals, Willem Duursma finished with 24, while Brody Atkins had 24.

00:25

'That is a pick-me moment from Zac Harding': Ruckman slots sensational snag

Vic Country ruck Zac Harding will be rising up draft boards after showing his athleticism with this major

Geelong Next Generation Academy prospect Jesse Mellor kicked three goals and Tairon Ah-Mu kicked two goals from 12 disposals and 10 marks to show his aerial presence.

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

  • 06:20

    U18 Boys National Champs highlights: Vic Country v SA

    Victoria Country and South Australia clash in the 2025 Marsh AFL Under-18 Boys Championships

    U18B
  • 01:27

    Five of the best sees Marsh light up the U18 Champs

    Mitch Marsh shows plenty of class to deliver a five-goal haul against Vic Country

    U18B
  • 2:20:08

    National Boys U18 Championships Match Replay: Vic Country v SA

    The Vic Country and SA clash in round four of the National U18 Boys Championship

    U18B
  • 00:25

    'That is a pick-me moment from Zac Harding': Ruckman slots sensational snag

    Vic Country ruck Zac Harding will be rising up draft boards after showing his athleticism with this major

    U18B
  • 00:24

    Peucker precision sees SA close in on Championship

    Zane Peucker unloads from range as South Australia continues to pull away

    U18B
  • 00:29

    Skipper Sharp brings SA right back

    South Australia captain Dyson Sharp levels the scores with a textbook mark and finish

    U18B
  • 00:29

    Vic Country finds form as Mellor shows his class

    Next Generation Academy player Jesse Mellor hits home a brilliant goal on the run

    U18B

VIC COUNTRY            2.4    3.7    5.8       8.9 (57)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA    2.6    4.7    10.10   13.13 (91)

GOALS
Vic Country: Mellor 3, Ah-Mu 2, Harding, Hibbins-Hargreaves, Mikunda
South Australia: Marsh 5, Schubert 2, Barker, Cumming, Dahlitz, Oudshoorn-Bennier, Peucker, Sharp