2025 Academy Games.

[liz]

Carmichael and McNamara made the Rookie Me team of the week.

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2025/05/14/2025-ctl-round-6-team-of-the-week/

While Chamberlain and King also made their scouting notes.

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/202...eague-round-6/

Carmichael has something of a slightly shorter Mills about him, albeit that Mills was dominating as a midfielder in our NEAFL team while still a 17yo. He seems to have a similar combination of hard work, flexibility in where he can play, good overhead marking and footy nous, without maybe possessing a standout, eye-catching element to his game.

I see Chamberlain is listed on RMC at 194cm. Is it my imagination, or is that a couple of cm taller than his previous listed height? He seems to be edging closer to a genuine KPF height, which is exciting.

[dejavoodoo44]

Carmichael has something of a slightly shorter Mills about him, albeit that Mills was dominating as a midfielder in our NEAFL team while still a 17yo. He seems to have a similar combination of hard work, flexibility in where he can play, good overhead marking and footy nous, without maybe possessing a standout, eye-catching element to his game.

I see Chamberlain is listed on RMC at 194cm. Is it my imagination, or is that a couple of cm taller than his previous listed height? He seems to be edging closer to a genuine KPF height, which is exciting.

Yes, I think Chamberlain was 191 or 192cm last season. Although, they haven't really been playing him as a KPF this season. Instead, he's largely been a lead up forward flanker and a big winger.

[dejavoodoo44]

Team for the 1pm Saturday match against Eastern Ranges.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJp2ABFTLg8/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=897181e8-bd7b-4291-8671-34da911a3674&ig_mid=05C574A1-50FF-48FC-BA00-11515DD6C8F0&img_index=2

Notable changes are Harrison dropping back from the VFL, presumably to cover for the injured Andreacchio; O'Loughlin returning, and the inclusion of Ethan Kingsley, the son of Giants coach, Adam.

[dejavoodoo44]

Behind 8-15 at quarter time. Didn't have much fluent ball movement, with our only goal being to McCartney, who marked leading into the pocket and threaded the set shot from a tight angle. Carmichael possibly our best, getting plenty of touches in defence. Harrison also has had plenty in the middle, while Chamberlain has taken a few marks leading up the wing.

[dejavoodoo44]

A couple of late goals to the Jenkin twins reduced the half time margin to 20-24, when it was looking like we would have a pointless quarter. Guy's goal was a particularly nice effort, where he made space on the wing, marked a ball that came out of defence, spotted a team mate in midfield, then worked forward to mark the return kick on the half forward flank. He then kicked truly in the wet and windy conditions. Will's was also a nice bit of running, to rove a loose ball close to goal.

That being said, for most of the quarter, we didn't move the ball well at all, with lots of kicks, and more annoyingly, lots of handballs, missing their targets.

[dejavoodoo44]

Now in front 39-38. Goals in that quarter were to Ryan, Clifton and McCartney, who all took strong marks near goal. I particularly liked the effort of ruckman Clifton, who spotted King leading into the half forward flank, then got forward to take a contested grab, after King's shot drifted in the wind.

[dejavoodoo44]

Ended up losing 53-57. Spent a lot of the final term pumping the ball long, but not being able to take the important mark, get a clear crumb, or perhaps more tellingly, get the sort of free that was being awarded at the other end. Then Eastern kicked a couple late for a match winning lead, before we kicked a couple even later, to make it close.

Our goals in that quarter were to Guy Jenkin and probably Harrison. Guy marked an opposition kick out, ran around the mark and slotted the shot. While I was bit distracted during the ensuing centre bounce, I think it was Harrison who broke free and put through a running shot from around 50. Which makes the goal tally: McCartney 2, G Jenkin 2, W Jenkin, Ryan, Clifton and Harrison?.

Harrison might have been our best today, playing a tough, inside mid game in the wet. Got plenty of contested possessions, clearances and possibly even more tackles. Probably could have had a bit more penetration with his kicks, but it was a wet ball. Meyrick, Price, Kyle, the Jenkin twins a both ruckmen, Lenarduzzi and Clifton, were also useful across the midfield.

In defence, Carmichael seemed to rack them up, and Morahan won most of his contests.

In attack, I thought McCartney was our best. Competed hard, took some strong grabs and generally brought the ball to ground when he didn't mark it. And I do think that he's a few centimetres taller than his listed 191cm. Chamberlain was also very good leading out from half forward, but I suspect that he spent more time on the wing.

I think that's the end of our Talent League season, so it'll be interesting to see which our players make the Allies squad. We have quite a few possibilities.

[imuninformedtwo]

Ended up losing 53-57. Spent a lot of the final term pumping the ball long, but not being able to take the important mark, get a clear crumb, or perhaps more tellingly, get the sort of free that was being awarded at the other end. Then Eastern kicked a couple late for a match winning lead, before we kicked a couple even later, to make it close.

Our goals in that quarter were to Guy Jenkin and probably Harrison. Guy marked an opposition kick out, ran around the mark and slotted the shot. While I was bit distracted during the ensuing centre bounce, I think it was Harrison who broke free and put through a running shot from around 50. Which makes the goal tally: McCartney 2, G Jenkin 2, W Jenkin, Ryan, Clifton and Harrison?.

Harrison might have been our best today, playing a tough, inside mid game in the wet. Got plenty of contested possessions, clearances and possibly even more tackles. Probably could have had a bit more penetration with his kicks, but it was a wet ball. Meyrick, Price, Kyle, the Jenkin twins a both ruckmen, Lenarduzzi and Clifton, were also useful across the midfield.

In defence, Carmichael seemed to rack them up, and Morahan won most of his contests.

In attack, I thought McCartney was our best. Competed hard, took some strong grabs and generally brought the ball to ground when he didn't mark it. And I do think that he's a few centimetres taller than his listed 191cm. Chamberlain was also very good leading out from half forward, but I suspect that he spent more time on the wing.

I think that's the end of our Talent League season, so it'll be interesting to see which our players make the Allies squad. We have quite a few possibilities.

I know it’s hard to judge without viewing other relevant talent, but if you had to guess, who makes the cut?

[liz]

I know it’s hard to judge without viewing other relevant talent, but if you had to guess, who makes the cut?

Assuming they are fit, Carmichael, King and Chamberlain would be close to certainties. I think McNamara has a good case too, though he might get shoved to defence, rather than getting a chance to play in the middle.

Andrecchio probably deserves it based on performance but there are restrictions on over-agers playing, and given he got a chance in last year's U18s (albeit confined to a back pocket), he may not get another one.

I think the underagers' chances will depend on squad make-up and what kind of player they need. If the squad is light on for tall forwards, McCartney might get a chance. Regardless of talent and form, the opportunity for commentators to crap on about the North vs Swans fight for him will be too hard to resist. The Jenkins twins have been very consistent and play that pure outside role well, but again I think it will come down to whether there are top aged players who play equivalent roles. And if there is a spot, do they only pick one of them? Although they do have slightly different strengths, it's hard to separate them.

I think the squad is largely based on talent managers nominating who they'd like to see at the next level up, rather than purely based on actual output. There may be one or two others, especially lesser names in our defence, whose potential has caught someone's eye and thus who gets nominated.

[dejavoodoo44]

Assuming they are fit, Carmichael, King and Chamberlain would be close to certainties. I think McNamara has a good case too, though he might get shoved to defence, rather than getting a chance to play in the middle.

Andrecchio probably deserves it based on performance but there are restrictions on over-agers playing, and given he got a chance in last year's U18s (albeit confined to a back pocket), he may not get another one.

I think the underagers' chances will depend on squad make-up and what kind of player they need. If the squad is light on for tall forwards, McCartney might get a chance. Regardless of talent and form, the opportunity for commentators to crap on about the North vs Swans fight for him will be too hard to resist. The Jenkins twins have been very consistent and play that pure outside role well, but again I think it will come down to whether there are top aged players who play equivalent roles. And if there is a spot, do they only pick one of them? Although they do have slightly different strengths, it's hard to separate them.

I think the squad is largely based on talent managers nominating who they'd like to see at the next level up, rather than purely based on actual output. There may be one or two others, especially lesser names in our defence, whose potential has caught someone's eye and thus who gets nominated.

Agree.

With Andreacchio, my understanding is that if someone plays in their draft year, then that rules them out of playing as overagers. Not sure if that's based on any reality? Which would also rule out Harrison, but means that Ryan or Lenarduzzi have a remote chance of making the team.

Of the players in their draft year, I'd quite like to see Morahan and Clifton get a go. Morahan might be a reasonable chance, as the sort of kpd, who doesn't get that much of the ball, but tends to stop his opponent from getting it. While Clifton has been turning in wholehearted performances as an undersized ruck (197cm). He gets after the opposition mids, and has a bit more pace and skill than most ruckmen. O’Loughlin and Kyle would be remote chances. O’Loughlin was just starting to show an array of skills, before he went out of the team for a couple of weeks; presumably through injury. While Kyle has been getting plenty of rebound possessions, without really drawing much attention to himself.

An interesting underage smoky is McGroder. He concentrated on athletics early in the season, hasn't got many possessions since then, but when he does launch out of defence, he has had me thinking I'd love to see him and Blakey rebounding together.

[dejavoodoo44]

And before I forget, the latest ESPN draft rankings: which have King at 9, with Chamberlain and Carmichael mentioned as being just outside the top 20.

https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/45046734/afl-draft-2025-power-rankings-top-20-duursma-uwland-duff-tytler-toby-whan-nga

[liz]

With Andreacchio, my understanding is that if someone plays in their draft year, then that rules them out of playing as overagers. Not sure if that's based on any reality? Which would also rule out Harrison, but means that Ryan or Lenarduzzi have a remote chance of making the team.

Kirk was selected in the squad in his U18 year but I don't think he was selected for any of the actual matches. He then went on to play all bar the last in his U19 year. But I suspect the fact he didn't actually play in his U18 year was what allowed him to the following year. Will Edwards is another who, IIRC, played in the academy matches in his U19 year but not in the Nationals. That did release him to play a few VFL games, which might have been just as helpful in persuading the Swans to give him a chance on the rookie list.

Assuming Andrecchio can't play in the Nationals, I look forward to him getting some VFL opportunities with us too. It will be interesting to see how he goes at that level. It might give us a better feel for whether he warrants a rookie list spot at the end of the year. He's come from a little further back, but I think he's ahead of Harrison now, at least based on what I've seen in the academy games. That said, Harrison has already equipped himself quite well in a couple of VFL games.

[imuninformedtwo]

Thanks both.

King fascinates me. His assets are truly extraordinary. The question is whether he can refine his kicking skills. I wonder if it’s a function of not yet knowing how and when to slow himself down a fraction, or whether it’s a technical kink. Blakey does the former so well, using his pace to take ground and make space, but then having the poise and touch to nail kicks. If he gets it right, look out.

i think your call on Andrecchio being a rookie contender is a good one. He’s done a lot right from the few games I’ve watched.

[dejavoodoo44]

The Allies squad has been announced, with five of our players being selected. They are Lachlan Carmichael, Noah Chamberlain, Max King, Kaiden McNamara and a bit of a smoky, Harry Kyle.

The Suns must be doing something right with their academy, as they have eight players selected.

https://www.zerohanger.com/afl-draft-club-linked-stars-headline-2025-allies-squad-162829/

[dejavoodoo44]

There's also a match on Sunday, where a combined Swans/GWS team takes on SA. It starts at noon and will be streamed via Sportscast Australia.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ8LoCsvOqq/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=06c0f45c-35b2-4dfb-ab0b-204be9e37580&ig_mid=DEC8DF31-B0C6-4BEA-A31E-C88F98E77FD5