Under 18 Academy Championships and National Championships

[707]

Might have more than Blakey to look at in the ND as well. Be nice if another couple could push themselves into calculations.

[Meg]

Sounds as if the standout performance from that match was that of Tarryn Thomas whom North will get as a Next Generation Academy priority pick next draft. Ironic really, while many are outraged that the Swans might get Blakey (outraged on the grounds Blakey didn?t need academy assistance to be introduced to AFL) North will get Thomas who has been playing Australian Rules since he was very young and has been touted as a future AFL star since he was about 14 years old - that is several years before North?s academy was created.

[707]

Oh Meg, don't let facts get in the way of Victorian outrage about our academy!

[ugg]

Possible North Melbourne Next Generation Academy recruit Tarryn Thomas has led the Tasmania Under 18 team to a strong 32 point defeat of the Sydney Swans Academy. Both teams were undefeated coming into this match, and it was Thomas who starred with 28 disposals (20 contested), 5 marks, 4 tackles, 7 clearances and 2 goals.

The Tasmanian team bolted out of the blocks and kicked 7 of the first 8 goals, and subsequently led from start to finish. The closest the Swans managed to get was 16 points late in the 2nd quarter but Thomas's 5 clearances in the last quarter meant there would be no come from behind win for the Swans, with both teams kicking 4.2. Fraser Turner with 23 disposals and a goal, Jared Dakin with 12 goals and 2 goals as well as Thomas Mundy's 3 goals to go along with his 15 touches were the other better players for Tasmania.

For the Swans, midfielder Josh Stern was his side's best accumulating an equal-game high 28 disposals, 7 tackles and 5 clearances as well as booting a goal. Future Swans draftee Nick Blakey kicked 3 goals, all in the first half, with Bailey Stewart also prominent with 21 disposals, 9 tackles and 2 goals.

[ugg]

Lineup

[rb4x]

Bird! Any relation?

[liz]

Well, at least we now have some insight into why McCartin was preferred over Cameron to make his senior AFL debut tonight - Cameron is needed for the academy team

On a more serious note, it is ever so slightly irritating that the NEAFL and U18 games are on at the same time.

[ugg]

Blakey kicked 3, Swans win by 2