Academy games 2024

[dejavoodoo44]

Tasmania in front 26-24 at the half. Quite an odd game, in that Tasmania seem to have a slight advantage in speed, size and skill, but we've had more possessions and territory. We probably should be in front, but our forward half connection has been a bit astray, with dropped marks and kicks not really going to the advantage of our forwards.

Pignatelli has kicked two of our three goals. One of them was a very good snap under pressure from the pocket. He also set up the other one with a slick handball that put Newman into the clear.

[dejavoodoo44]

In front 16-7 at the quarter, but we had the advantage of brisk southerly, that we didn't really capitalise on, due to missed targets and a few missed shots.

[dejavoodoo44]

Game vs Tasmania just about to start and can be streamed via this link.

Tasmania v Sydney Swans Academy (2024 Marsh AFL National Dev. Champs – U16 Boys) - YouTube

[dejavoodoo44]

Also, their scouting notes for the Allies game.

Scouting Notes: 2024 AFL U18s - Allies vs. Vic Country - Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central

Our Joel Cochran gets a mention. Jobe Shanahan, as well: who might be available when we pick and who I quite like. He's from Moama in southern NSW and is a key forward who tends to beeline the ball when it's coming into his area. Sam Marshall is also mentioned. He's quite a classy midfield accumulator, who's also rated around about our picks. While he's a Brisbane academy product, they might not have the picks to match, if an early bid is made on their F/S prospect Ashcroft?

[dejavoodoo44]

Rookie Me scouting notes for the game.

Scouting Notes: 2024 AFL U16s - Swans Academy vs. Northern Territory - Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central

[liz]

I got a bit distracted yesterday morning and only remembered about this match part way through the second half. The Swans already had a handy lead by then.

I was probably more impressed by the clean ball handling of the NT team, especially in the final quarter but they struggled to translate that into scores. And it’s possible the Swans lads had tired by then.

From the bit I watched, with NT pressing hard forward, Beavis was the Swan who most caught my eye. He was a large part of the reason why the NT team struggled to turn their territory into scores. I thought both his composure and decision making under pressure were impressive. Maybe those two things are actually the same.

I agree with the observation was O’Loughlin looks like a medium forward in a small forward stature, but he showed a bit of class at times. Fingers crossed he grows another couple of inches. Every chance he does.

[dejavoodoo44]

Ended up winning 79-27. Never really in doubt, especially after keeping them goalless in the first half. Although, the win probably should be taken in the context, that NT often struggles to put together competitive sides.

Which I think meant that we experimented a bit with positioning and rotations. For instance, after starring in previous games, Mason McGroder spent hardly any time in the ruck. Instead, he played mainly wing in the first half and as a defender in the second: going pretty well in both positions. It appeared that a lot of the rucking was left to 186cm Oliver Griffiths, whose tap work was pretty good, but did really well when the ball hit the ground, getting plenty of contested possessions. Likewise, after starring previously, Conrad Blackwell-Smith, didn't seem to spend that much time as an inside mid, but when he did, I thought he looked very promising. He seems to read the play well and his disposal is usually useful.

Up forward, Aidan McCartney, Benjamin Pignatelli and James O'Loughlin all kicked three goals. McCartney took a few strong grabs, in conditions that didn't really suit tall marking forwards, and continues to look a prospect. Although, one of his goals seemed to be from a soft free. Hadn't really noticed Pignatelli before, but he looked to be pretty good at getting into space. Which O'Loughlin is also pretty good at. Plus he's also good at snapping truly in traffic. Although I probably wouldn't get that excited about a possible F/S just yet. At 178cm he's in the small forward category, but doesn't really appear to have the speed and energy of the best small forwards. But of course, being a 16 year old, there's still plenty of time to develop more pace, or have a growth spurt and become a medium forward. One player who does have small forward energy is Isaac Luke. He zips around the forward line harassing opponents and creating opportunities for his team mates. Unfortunately, I think he kicked 0-3 for the game, so maybe snapping under pressure is something that he needs to work on?

At the other end of the ground, I thought Cody Beavis did really well. He took plenty of intercept marks and seems to be a penetrating kick, who tends to chose good options.

And running around on the wings, the Jenkin twins, Guy and William, got plenty of the ball: although I don't really know if one of them got significantly more than the other? But both seem to have plenty of dash and are often involved in attacking chains.

So, two wins so far, but might be facing our toughest test of championship, when we play Tasmania on Thursday afternoon at Sharks.

[707]

O'Loughlin son of I presume?

How did the game end up?

[dejavoodoo44]

Competitive but scrappy first quarter, to be ahead 10-2 at the first break. Probably should be further in front, but dropped a few chest marks and missed a few shots. Our only goal was a nice crumb and snap from O'Loughlin, who's been venturing a bit further afield and has looked pretty good. Beavis possibly our best so far, as he's been a one man wall in defence.

[dejavoodoo44]

The U16 side play a championship game against NT today, at the odd time of 10am. It's currently a bit wet and wintry on the Gold Coast, so it might be a scrappy affair, but it should be a win and we certainly have some young talent worth watching.

Streaming should be available through this link.

Sydney Swans Academy v Northern Territory (2024 Marsh AFL National Dev. Champs – U16 Boys) - YouTube

[dejavoodoo44]

The Rookie Me preview of the Allies match against Vic Country, which takes place in Brisbane on Sunday at 10.35am. Unfortunately, three of the Swans players, Andreacchio, Chamberlain and Harrison, have been "managed" for this one. Which just leaves Carmichael playing as a back pocket and Cochran as a KPD. Still, should be an interesting game, with many players in draft contention.

PREVIEW | 2024 AFL U18s: Allies vs. Vic Country - Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central

[dejavoodoo44]

The Rookie Me scouting notes from the U16 game against the Giants.

Scouting Notes: 2024 AFL U16s - Giants Academy vs. Swans Academy - Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central

They're also keen on the McGroder goal.

[Scottee]

With the age distribution of the kids in the U16s and the U18s we don't get to see much of the in betweeners who have not made the U18s due to being younger. It will be interesting to see who emerges next year .

Sent from my Pixel 8 Pro using Tapatalk

[dejavoodoo44]

That’s tantalising and that goal was something else. 2026 draft year?

Yes, everyone in the squad is 2026, except for James O'Loughlin, who's 2025. Which is a bit of a change from previous years, where I think that there were generally a handful of overagers running around. Perhaps getting back to normal after the covid years?

[i'm-uninformed2]

He's listed as 192cm, so he needs to grow a bit to develop into an AFL ruck prospect. But he has a couple of years to do that. If he only gets to 195cm, he could be an exciting key position player. No more growth and it's highly likely that he'd still be an awesome winger. But from what I've seen of him at this age, the opposition rucks aren't that much taller, and he wins plenty of taps by just leaping higher than them.

On his athleticism, he won the long jump gold in the U20 national championships, as a 15 year old. And he picked up a silver in the U18 400m medley relay. So, you'd think that he'll have to make a decision between athletics and football. Let's hope that he chooses football.

That’s tantalising and that goal was something else. 2026 draft year?