Towering Albany teenager Lucas Ravenhill to play for WA in opening game of national championships against SA

Towering Albany teenager Lucas Ravenhill will play in WA’s opening game of the 2022 NAB AFL National Development Championships on Sunday. Ravenhill, an exciting 197cm key position prospect, was named in WA’s under-16s squad of 35 in April and this week got the nod to travel to Adelaide with his teammates for their round-one clash against South Australia. The 16-year-old has been a revelation at senior level this year, kicking eight goals in four league appearances for North Albany in the Great Southern Football League. He is part of a travelling team of 23 players who will represent WA at Thebarton Oval, with the match starting at 11am, and is set to lead the ruck in the championship opener. Ravenhill was not able to play in the Great Southern Colts Carnival at the weekend for the Great Southern Storm, performing strongly in WA’s final trial game against Subiaco’s colts team on Saturday. A State basketballer, Ravenhill said earlier this year he had turned his attention to football and was hoping to make his impact felt in the championships. “I’m going to make the most of all the tips and tricks that all the high-level coaches give to me,” Ravenhill said after his State selection in April. “I’ve got to aim for most of the games, perform in those games.” The under-16 division of the championships consists of 10 teams — Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast Suns, GWS Giants, Northern Territory, South Australia, Victoria Country, Victoria Metro, Sydney Swans, Tasmania and WA. The WA side will be coached by Ross McQueen with Antoni Grover, Andrew Browne, Scott Moore, Simon Bergin and Mark Seaby his assistants.