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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.
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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.Comment
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Still a scrappy and frustrating game. We had all the territory in that quarter, but only kicked 1-5 to eke out a 35-26 lead. McCartney was perhaps the worst culprit, missing two set shots from about 15 metres out. Meaney kicked the only goal and had a pretty good quarter.
Griffiths has been good in the ruck, but more so with his competitiveness when the ball hits the ground. Price has been busy as an inside mid. Jenkin and Jenkin have got plenty of it, perhaps Guy more so.Comment
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That was a tough, physical game, with both teams laying hard into tackles (and giving away a lot of frees as a result). As per Deja’s comment above, it felt as though Tasmania were better skilled. They were stronger in the air, and seemed to be able to time their running to create free options.
Yet the scoreboard tells a different story so a lot of credit must go to the work rate of our young Swans.
I continue to be impressed by Beavis in defence.Comment
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Very good effort in the last, to win 59-46. Finally took our chances and kicked four straight in the quarter. Which means that our kids are the champions of Group B, as this was a game between the only two unbeaten teams.
Perhaps where we won it, was our ability to scrap for the loose ball and put pressure on Tasmania when they had it. We actually won the disposal count 277-201. And while I don't know the free kick count, I suspect that we had the better of it.
By my reckoning, our goalkickers were two each to Pignatelli and Newman, and singles to Meaney, Titmuss, O'Loughlin and McCartney. Since he also had a couple of goal assists, I thought Pignatelli was our best forward today. I particularly liked his effort early in the last, when he took possession on the left forward flank, then found an unmarked Titmuss in the opposite pocket with an excellent kick.
Having said that, it's hard to pick out our best, as it was a really even team performance, with no one dominating. Perhaps Guy Jenkin was our leading disposal getter, though his brother Will also was busy on the opposite wing. Price, Griffiths and Kingsley were busy in the middle. In defence, Beavis, Coble and McGroder all had their moments.
Obviously still a long way away from their draft time, but there's quite a few decent prospects in this cohort. And I'm sure that going through the academy season undefeated, will help with both their confidence and motivation.Comment
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Thanks everyone for their comments.
Looks like we may have a KPF & KPD to consider in the ND this year, hopefully as later picks or rookies. A number of the non aligned Allies read very well for our current picks 18 & 19.Comment
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Conrad Blackwell-Smith was awarded our MVP for the championship. Which seems fair enough. While he didn't spend that much time in the middle in the final game, he showed his class an inside mid in the previous games.
Also, these are the Rookie Me scouting notes for the game against Tasmania.
Scouting Notes: 2024 AFL U16s - Tasmania vs. Swans Academy - Aussie Rules Rookie Me CentralComment
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I just noticed that Mason McGroder, who was impressive when playing for our U16s this season, has won a bronze medal in the long jump at the world U20 championships. The fact that he's still only 15 makes it even more noteworthy. I hope he chooses AFL.Comment
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Three of our players have been selected for the upcoming U17 Futures game: which I assume will be on grand final morning. The players are Lachlan Carmichael, Noah Chamberlain and Max King. It'll be good to see what King can do against quality opposition, because he was out injured for the Talent League season, after looking an exciting prospect earlier in the year.
2024 Marsh AFL National Future Boys squad announced - https://www.afl.com.au/news/1217516
And looking down the list, I noticed that a kid from WA, named Wes Walley, has made the side. Some parents really don't think things through, do they? I mean, every @@@@ing roll call!Comment
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The final teams have been announced for the Futures Game, that takes place at 9.35am on Saturday. Lachlan Carmichael and Noah Chamberlain are in Team Heppell, but Max King isn't playing. I hope he isn't injured again. Oh well, perhaps that slightly increases the chances of him being a draft bargain next year?
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The Rookie Me scouting notes from the recent Futures game. They say nice things about our academy pair, Carmichael and Chamberlain. Both have the potential to be first rounders, if they have decent academy seasons next year.
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