Academy games 2026.

[dejavoodoo44]

The Allies go around again today, playing Vic Metro at 11am at Ballarat. Hopefully they can put in a better display than last game. There’s been a few changes to the Swans representation. McGroder isn't playing, due to athletics commitments. Which suggests that he still hasn't made his decision on which sporting path to follow. Also out are Price and Hardy. However, Conrad Blackwell-Smith comes into the side. About a year ago, he was possibly our best midfielder, but he's missed much of this season due to injury. So, it'll be interesting to see if he can make a late charge at the draft.

Also missing from the side is highly rated GWS midfielder, Mathews, who is out with a stress reaction in his foot. He was disappointing last game, but maybe he was playing injured.

[dejavoodoo44]

Total domination by Vic Metro to be in front 52-0 at quarter time. I'm starting to wonder if the Allies have practiced together? Or if they have, have they developed a heap of personality clashes? There really is no cohesion on the field.

[dejavoodoo44]

Vic Metro now in front 74-20. I suppose it was a better performance by the Allies, but it looked like they had the wind advantage. Meaney kicked a goal early in the quarter, which I didn't see. He's topping the tackle count with 7.

[dejavoodoo44]

Not really sure why I'm wasting data on this, but Vic Metro now ahead 117-27. Don't know if I saw Meaney in that quarter: maybe he's injured? Blackwell-Smith did pretty well in that quarter.

[dejavoodoo44]

Vic Metro won 139-56. Another very disappointing performance from the Allies. Maybe there's a lack of talent, because plenty of the ball movement was inept, but I'm wondering if something has gone seriously wrong with their preparation? Of course, I'm in no position to make a judgement on that.

Anyway, I don't think any of our academy players boosted their draft chances. Blackwell-Smith had a good second half with plenty of contested possessions. Meaney was pretty good in the first half, but was largely anonymous in the second. Morahan battled hard in a defence under siege. Medved tried to spark some rapid ball movement out of defence, but was generally let down by team mates, who either missed targets or ignored him flashing past, and he ended having to rapidly backtrack.

Since I can't really see the Allies improving that much in their final game, I'm now hoping that our various academy prospects will get some chances in our VFL side.

[Noble Banner]

Hello guys, I'm new to the forum and I'll go by "Noble Banner"

I am a long time Sydney Swans supporter and have been reading all the articles on this forum and have been keeping a close eye on this age group of academy players as they are a seriously talented group. However, the past two weeks have been tough to watch, with not one Sydney Swans Academy player stepping up to the level required at the national championships.

I thought the best was easily Conrad Blackwell - Smith today, particularly when he went into the midfield and he is probably the only player that can hold his head up highly after the game. All the other boys were pretty disappointing particularly for a group of highly talented players that went undefeated in talent league, and were apart of a NSW/ACT team that defeated South Australia. To be fair, Morahan and Medved tried hard out of defense all day, but the others were largely anoynomous.

I would love to see the other Smith, Patrick, get a game for the Allies. Does anyone know if he is injured? He had a strong season at Talent League level and seems to be the player from this crop that doesn't shy away from the pressure of a big game and tough opponents. Against Eastern Ranges earlier in the year, he almost single handedly kept them in the game in the first half with a balanced mix of winning contested ball, breaking away with his speed and power out of contests and laying massive tackles asserting his presence on the game. dejavoodoo44 and Nepo baby I would love to know your thoughts on him or confirm if he is injured or not.

Until next time,
Noble Banner.

[dejavoodoo44]

Hello guys, I'm new to the forum and I'll go by "Noble Banner"

I am a long time Sydney Swans supporter and have been reading all the articles on this forum and have been keeping a close eye on this age group of academy players as they are a seriously talented group. However, the past two weeks have been tough to watch, with not one Sydney Swans Academy player stepping up to the level required at the national championships.

I thought the best was easily Conrad Blackwell - Smith today, particularly when he went into the midfield and he is probably the only player that can hold his head up highly after the game. All the other boys were pretty disappointing particularly for a group of highly talented players that went undefeated in talent league, and were apart of a NSW/ACT team that defeated South Australia. To be fair, Morahan and Medved tried hard out of defense all day, but the others were largely anoynomous.

I would love to see the other Smith, Patrick, get a game for the Allies. Does anyone know if he is injured? He had a strong season at Talent League level and seems to be the player from this crop that doesn't shy away from the pressure of a big game and tough opponents. Against Eastern Ranges earlier in the year, he almost single handedly kept them in the game in the first half with a balanced mix of winning contested ball, breaking away with his speed and power out of contests and laying massive tackles asserting his presence on the game. dejavoodoo44 and Nepo baby I would love to know your thoughts on him or confirm if he is injured or not.

Until next time,
Noble Banner.

Hi, I was a bit surprised that Smith didn't get selected for the Allies, as he seems to have done really well for a recent convert to the game. I've no idea if he's injured or not. If he isn't, I hope he gets a game or two with our VFL side, since the club often gives VFL games to academy players, to presumably assess if they're worth persisting with. And I do think we have a need for big bodied midfielders. As well as that, there’s usually a few players selected for an overaged academy season. So that could easily be a possibility for him.

[Tommy_Wolfe7]

I've written a state of the draft piece that looks at the upside and the uncertainty in this year's crop. There's a brief mention about Medved:

"The final wildcard may be Swans Academy prospect Jake Medved.

His National Championships have been solid rather than spectacular, largely while representing an Allies side lacking the depth to compete consistently. Even so, clubs love his athletic profile and believe there’s far more to come. Many are keen to see him spend more time in a midfield and forward half role during the remainder of the season in order to gauge how high his ceiling truly is."

https://readingtheplay.wordpress.com/2026/06/30/a-draft-of-upside-and-uncertainty/

[dejavoodoo44]

The Allies finish their so far very disappointing championships today, playing WA at 1pm. It's possible that they'll improve, but I'm not particularly optimistic. If the team on the AFL site is correct, we're now down to just four Swans: Medved, Meaney, Morahan and Blackwell-Smith. The game will be streamed via the AFL site.

[dejavoodoo44]

The Allies are showing better pressure in this match and are in front 21-19 at the first break. All four Swans players are doing pretty well, with Meaney getting a goal, after he received a high contact free and converted from about 40m.

[dejavoodoo44]

WA starting to skip away, now leading 57-34. They were on top in the clearances and were able to move the ball more efficiently when coming out of defence.

[dejavoodoo44]

Allies have made a bit of a comeback, to be behind 62-64. Don't know if they had a wind advantage in that quarter?

[dejavoodoo44]

The Allies managed to win that 84-78. For much of the game, WA seemed to have more skill and more draftable prospects, but from about halfway through the third quarter, the Allies looked to have more energy and eventually got in front, late in the last.

Not sure if any of our academy guys really boosted their draft chances? Perhaps Medved went closest, with some useful rebound involvements in the second half. But at times, I suspect his team mates were driving him a bit crazy. A number of times he got himself into positions to launch, but they either just missed him or burnt him entirely. I hope he gets a chance to show what he can do in a VFL game or two, as being with better ball users might be really helpful. Morahan had a pretty good game in defence, with a few good spoils and intercepts, but being an overager, he probably needs to be more than just pretty good. Meaney and Blackwell-Smith both competed will around the contests, and again, I wouldn't mind seeing them both get a chance in our VFL side, but at the moment, I can’t really see either being taken until very late in the draft.

[dejavoodoo44]

The Rookie Me scouting notes for the game. Meaney is the only Swan to get a mention. West Coast have got a couple of interesting F/S prospects in Banfield and Braun.

Scouting Notes: 2026 AFL U18s - Allies vs. Western Australia - Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central https://share.google/FvwlSiCG7xuVGjAYs