Swans Academy and player watch

[justabaraker]

The AFL has this year shifted junior football Clubs in areas such as - Parramatta, Baulkham Hills to the GWS zone so that the AFL can say that junior footy participation numbers have increased in the GWS zone.

All done with smoke and mirrors.

I'm sitting out here in the beautiful Parramatta/Hills District, trying to think of which junior clubs have been re-aligned to the GWS zone this year.
Enlighten me, BRC.

[floppinab]

I'm sitting out here in the beautiful Parramatta/Hills District, trying to think of which junior clubs have been re-aligned to the GWS zone this year.
Enlighten me, BRC.

All ages bar U16's of the Goanna's and the new "Hills" club now play in the Western Sydney comp ja. Not sure if that started this year or last year.
They have certainly been pushing the same for Baulko and Kellyvile and have a look at the Bankstown Juniors website to see how well that's worked for them. Clearly the AFL want clubs in the GWS zone playing in the the Western Sydney comp and have that comp neatly tied to GWS.
It'll be interesting to see if there will be any changes to the current zone line's given GWS clearly see their future @ Homebush and that only just sits inside their zone. It's a little weird to see them setting up such a close relationship to a junior club (Concord Juniors) that sits inside the Swans zone, just because that happens to be so close to GWS accomodation base @ Breakfast Point.

[BillyRayCypress]

I'm sitting out here in the beautiful Parramatta/Hills District, trying to think of which junior clubs have been re-aligned to the GWS zone this year.
Enlighten me, BRC.

I think floppinab summed it up well.

Cherrybrook (Westbrook???) was told that they will have to join next year. They are prepared to merge with Pennant Hills so as not to. Parramatta, Greystanes and Kellyville are in the GWS zone now. I heard this from people involved in each Club when I did a first aid course out at BISP a month or so ago. It either started this year or next year can't recall.

[BillyRayCypress]

Found this article on the AFL website regarding Academy players. Basically same rule as Father/Son.

The Club has to pay market value. I don't think where it states that there is an advantage to the Club where the player was based. Doesn't seem much of an advantage with the number of talent scouts about.

Southern clubs in mix for Queensland's best - AFL.com.au

[Doctor]

I'm sitting out here in the beautiful Parramatta/Hills District, trying to think of which junior clubs have been re-aligned to the GWS zone this year.
Enlighten me, BRC.

Bankstown was one. The club ended up folding this season as a result.

[King Zog]

No smoke and mirrors in AFL NSW/ACT trying to move Bankstown it was a sledgehammer instead.
Committee and members have fought against this rezoning for 4 years, saying Club would fold if forced to move.
Guess what? they moved the club then told a extraordinary general meeting how it would be great for us.
Result everyone voted with their feet and joined other clubs aligned to Swans and GSJ Harbour comp.

Watch the zoning map which has Bankstown belonging to Swans change back to GWS

[ugg]

U18 and U16 Academy playing their GWS counterparts tomorrow

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Thanks Ugg,
Ethan Harvey must be prodigiously talented, to break into the team at such a young age.

[Jewels]

Thanks Ugg,
Ethan Harvey must be prodigiously talented, to break into the team at such a young age.

And such a big boy for his age too......

[undy]

Re: Swans Academy and player watch

Good to see Jarad Sundqvist is still around.
I anticipate John Stevens popping up at some point.

[ugg]

Under 16s

Swans 10.7 (67) d Giants 8.14 (62)

Goals:
Swans: Sanderson 4, Mills 2, Hurrell 2, Denneman, Selvi;

Giants: Tiziani 4, Cornell, Foley, McDonald, Dowling.

Swans Best: M Wilson, T.Coenen, E.Burton, D.Sanderson, C.Mills, R.Hebron, N.Hey, J.Crawford.

Under 18s

Giants 9.10 (64) d Swans 6.12 (48)

Goals:
Giants: Austin 3, Spinks 2, Howard 2, Etto, Griffiths;

Swans: Hiscox, Perris, Bottin-Noonan, Barty, Codd-Miller, Haggerty.

Swans Best: L.Perris, M.Dickson, A.Davis, T.Roos, N.Foster, J.Foote, S.Krochmal, B.Watson.

[Doctor]

Academy watchers may be interested to know that the U13 & U14 AFL NSW carnival was on in Albury this week. It comprised 7 teams, four from GWS catchment areas and 3 from Sydney areas. The U14 Sydney South boys were undefeated, including beating Murray by 40 points and the U13s only lost one game, and that was by a point. I didn't watch too many of the games involving the other regions as my connection was with Sydney South, but the improvement from last year that these U14 boys have made is amazing, when they only won one game out of six as U13s. Great to watch some good young footy players and see first hand the difference that the Academy coaching has made.

Results at the attached link

http://www.aflnswact.com.au/index.php?id=5&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=2235&tx_ttnews[backPid]=4&cHash=c370e0ae49

[YoungTalent101]

Just a quick thought about the upcoming U18 group...
Watching them recently it looks the group is going to be very strong this year. There a few gun talents, that I believe will have a shot at getting drafted in 2014. A few of these boys will be looking to have strong performances during the year in hope they catch the eye of a few recruiters..

1. Issac Heeney
This kid is an absolute gem. AIS academy member. Really strong overhead, reads the play extremely well, has elite skills and a very good runner. He will be picked up at the end of next year (probably to the swans, a bit like what they did with Lloyd Perris). Played on game for the reserves last year and played out of his skin. Also played for NSW/ACT as a bottom aged player, getting named in the best a few occasions. Watch this bloke over the next year...

2. Abe Davis
Tall, athletic and has the hands of a god. This kids has seriously improved over the past few years. Represented NSW/ACT in both 2012 as a U16 and 2013 as a 17 year old. Can play both up forward, down back and can even have a stint in the ruck. Has a good kick but his real strength is his marking. Can take a contested mark or jump on blokes backs. Look for him to step it up in the next year and could be a smoky come draft time in 2014.

3. Brad Watson
I believe this kid is the best player in the U18 group. He possesses elite skills on both sides of his body, can run all day and is very clever with his decision making. A quite kid who can tear games open with his quick hands or penetrating kick. Represented NSW/ACT as a bottom aged player and had an exceptional carnival. I really really like this kid and I expect his name to be read out next year.

4. Nick Foster
Tough, inside midfielder. Without doubt his major strength is his contested game and his ability to break open stoppages. Tackling machine and is very rarely beaten on the ground. Has a few things he has to work on with his skills but from all accounts isn't a bad runner. Unlucky to not be selected last year in the NSW/ACT team as an underage player (academy didn't allow him to play) but should had a solid year in 2014 and look towards being drafted at the years end.

[liz]

Interesting to hear your comments YT101.

Do you know if there is a limit on how many players the Swans can nominate under the priority Academy rules? I think I read somewhere that it was two a year but I am not confident on that. Recent history suggests that even having two worthy of going straight onto the senior list is a little unlikely, but I've seen a tiny bit of Heeney and he certainly looks to have some talent and good physical attributes. I know nothing about Watson, but clearly you're a fan!

We won't have the option next year of putting any of these players directly onto the rookie list as they all fall under Academy drafting rules, not the old scholarship rules that applied to Perris. If the club wants to rookie them, they'll have to wait and see whether they fall right through the ND without another club snaring them.

[wolftone57]

They reckon some Swans supporter with the nickname of "Christopher Columbus" drove over the Anzac Bridge, expecting to fall off the edge of the Earth at the other side. He was shocked to find that there is intelligent life on the other side.....including ME !

There is a University out in them thare hills