Academy games 2024

[dejavoodoo44]

13 all at quarter time, after a fairly scrappy opening term. Of our Swans academy players, Cochran was probably the best. He showed his pace to win a few contests and went at it pretty hard. Harrison led out from deep forward to mark and kick the Allies first goals. Andreacchio has had a few useful involvements, although the commentators have it their heads that his name is Angove.

Most of the scoring attempts by WA were from mystery frees, that only the umpires seemed to know why they were given. Lombard BOG so far with 11 touches and a goal.

[dejavoodoo44]

Allies ahead 33-28 at the half. In that quarter, their ball movement was more impressive, with some rapid rebounding that featured our Swans: Cochran, Carmichael, Andreacchio and interestingly, Chamberlain. I say interestingly, because for the first chunk of that quarter, he seemed to be playing half back flank, when I've only seen him play forward and wing before. He did pretty well before being switched to the opposite wing, where he also had a couple of useful possessions.

Of the other Allies, Lombard continues to impress, with his clean movement through traffic and creative ball use. Annable from the Lions seemed to have plenty of contested possessions. Also from the Lions, Marshall showed plenty of dash. While Uwland from the Suns, sprinted through the mud patch to kick an excellent rebounding goal.

Malakai Champion from WA kicked a couple of quality goals. I think the commentators said he was the nephew of Eddie Betts. So, he might be a draftable small forward.

[dejavoodoo44]

WA in front 48-43 at the final break, but I think they had the advantage of a fairly strong breeze, so it's probably evenly poised going into the last. Lombard still BOG, but if it wasn't for a couple of turnovers, I would have said that Cochran was the best in that quarter. He generally either wins his contests or makes sure that his opponent doesn't get a clean possession. He also uses his pace well to get involved in rebound chains.

[dejavoodoo44]

The Allies kicked away in the last to win 70-50. Lombard made sure of BOG with the goal of the day, where he went for a dash through the middle, threw in a party trick along the way, then kicked truly from about 40 out. He also set up Harrison for the clinching goal, with a slick handball around about the 50.

Harrison had a pretty good game, kicking a couple of goals when forward and being competitive when given a chance in the middle.

I thought Cochran was the best of the Swans contingent today. He won most of his contests, largely through spoiling and/or beating his opponents to the loose ball. He was also involved in plenty of launches out of defence: to varying degrees of success. Sometimes he hit advantageous targets, a couple of times he made unforced turnovers. Though I don't think the coach would've been too upset, as he was definitely trying to make things happen, and the Allies did appear to be trying to play run and gun. He also reminded me a bit of Connor O'Sullivan, who impressed with the Allies last year. I suspect Cochran is a touch quicker and has the better leap, while O'Sullivan was probably more assured with ball in hand.

The other Swans also did pretty well. Andreacchio and Carmichael often used the ball to advantage when coming out of defence and both were entrusted with the kick ins. While Chamberlain played a bit of key forward in the second half, after previously playing in defence and wing. He did a few nice things, but unfortunately thumped the ball into the post, aft

[dejavoodoo44]

Whoops, accidentally pressed 'post'. I'll continue.

...after getting a free on the edge of the goal square.

Apart from Lombard, a number of other Allies impressed. Uwland was assured moving the ball out of defence and will almost certainly join his brother at the Suns in the 2025 draft. Likewise Annable for the Lions, who won some tough midfield contests and generally hit the mark with his possessions.

Dilana from the Giants seems to have some nice skills and might be drafted by them this year. As with Marshall for the Lions; if they've got a few points left over, after matching a bid for F/S Ashcroft.

And finally, I thought Shanahan looked a decent KPF prospect. He took some strong grabs and his kicking seemed reliable.

[liz]

And finally, I thought Shanahan looked a decent KPF prospect. He took some strong grabs and his kicking seemed reliable.

Last week I was quite excited by the Allies' skipper Murphy - a NSWelshman but from the non-academy aligned Murray region. But he struggled to get into the game today, and Shanahan looked more dangerous.

[dejavoodoo44]

Last week I was quite excited by the Allies' skipper Murphy - a NSWelshman but from the non-academy aligned Murray region. But he struggled to get into the game today, and Shanahan looked more dangerous.

Another guy who I thought had a good game was big, boofy defender, Cooper Bell, but I didn't mention him before, because I'm not sure if he has the speed to be drafted? But who knows, perhaps he could eventually develop into the next Sam Collins; who had another very strong game for the Suns today.

[liz]

Another guy who I thought had a good game was big, boofy defender, Cooper Bell, but I didn't mention him before, because I'm not sure if he has the speed to be drafted? But who knows, perhaps he could eventually develop into the next Sam Collins; who had another very strong game for the Suns today.

Bell's not quite in the open draft as a member of the Giants' academy. Though they're pretty stacked in defence so might not consider him.

I agree he had a good game, but I don't think WA had a particularly dangerous tall forward so it was hard to assess his one-on-one contest competence.

[Scottee]

I note that 4 of our players in the Allies have "ch" in their names. I will have to consult the universe about this.

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[707]

Bell's not quite in the open draft as a member of the Giants' academy. Though they're pretty stacked in defence so might not consider him.

I agree he had a good game, but I don't think WA had a particularly dangerous tall forward so it was hard to assess his one-on-one contest competence.

As I've heard KB say many times when he's not rating a tall "tell me who they played on"

[dejavoodoo44]

The Rookie Me scouting notes for the latest Allies game. Joel Cochran is the only Swans player mentioned, but I did think our other four did pretty well.

Scouting Notes: 2024 AFL U18s - Allies vs. Western Australia - Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central

[dejavoodoo44]

Rookie Me has put out a preview for the game between the Allies and Vic Metro, which takes place at 10.05 on Sunday.

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

Looks like all five of our Swans get to run around again. Might be a tough game though, since the Vic Metro midfield largely consists of guys tipped to be drafted in the top ten. Still, the rebounding of the Allies was impressive against WA, so hopefully that is once again on show tomorrow.

[dejavoodoo44]

Seems like there's an U16 academy game v the Suns today. Can't find a team sheet, but it's being streamed through Sportscast Australia on YouTube.

U16 Academy Game - Swans v Suns - YouTube

[dejavoodoo44]

Good first quarter to be in front 38-0 at the break. Not sure how useful it is to talk about players, when I don't know their names, but tall forward, 33, has already kicked three goals. He looks to read the ball well, has strong hands and was agile enough to soccer a touched ball through on the goal line.

Small forward, 2, also has some skills. He hit 33 with an excellent pass from the half forward flank, then a couple of minutes later, took a running mark in the pocket and put through the set shot.

Ruck, 36, is quite athletic and is winning plenty of taps.

There does seem to be a strong wind blowing but I'm not sure how much it was advantaging either end?

[liz]

Good first quarter to be in front 38-0 at the break. Not sure how useful it is to talk about players, when I don't know their names, but tall forward, 33, has already kicked three goals. He looks to read the ball well, has strong hands and was agile enough to soccer a touched ball through on the goal line.

Small forward, 2, also has some skills. He hit 33 with an excellent pass from the half forward flank, then a couple of minutes later, took a running mark in the pocket and put through the set shot.

Ruck, 36, is quite athletic and is winning plenty of taps.

There does seem to be a strong wind blowing but I'm not sure how much it was advantaging either end?

Second quarter picked up almost where the first left off. There's a good smattering of decently developed footy skills right across the park. Number 33 continues to be a standout, but I reckon number 29 also looks like he knows what he's doing.

The most impressive element is the tackling intent, endeavour and execution skill, right across the team. I reckon the Swans lads must have earned themselves a dozen HTB frees to half-time. And legitimate ones, where the tacklee certainly had prior.