NAB AFL U18 & U16 Academy Series: Round Up
Photo taken by Matt Corby.
NAB AFL U18s ACADEMY SERIES
Sydney Swans Academy vs. Brisbane Lions Academy
After a two-week Easter break, the Sydney Swans Academy took victory over the Brisbane Lions Academy on Saturday in Blacktown.
The Swans left it until the final quarter to seal the 31-point win as they aimed for four wins from four starts.
Sydney Swans Academy Manager, Chris Smith acknowledged that the Swans did not play their best brand of football on the day, but remained satisfied with the win.
“Players are learning that not every game goes to plan, so it was pleasing to see them react positively to a challenge, and run home with a strong five-goal win,” said Smith.
“The players are focused on finishing the carnival positively with a win in Tasmania this coming Saturday. As far as the coaches and players are concerned, the job is not yet complete.”
The Sydney Swans Academy will play Tasmania next Saturday in Launceston.
SYDNEY SWANS ACADEMY – 13.11 (89)
BRISBANE LIONS ACADEMY – 8.10 (58)
SWANS GOALS – Luke Skrivanic (3), Jack Hardman (2), Joey Reinhard (2), Joshua Stern (2) Patrick Tegg, Adam Kinasch, Sam Wicks, Jake Brown
SWANS BEST – Luke Skrivanic, Jarrod Osborne, Jake Brown, Mitchell Rogers, Sam Wicks, Luke Robertson
GWS GIANTS Academy vs. Northern Territory
After an unsteady start to the NAB AFL U18s Academy Series, the GWS GIANTS took their second win in a row against the Northern Territory in Blacktown.
Riley Corbett and Nicholas Shipley both scored three goals in a side that collectively shot 17 goals over four quarters.
GIANTS Academy Head Coach Jason Saddington says he was impressed by his teams ability to gain control early on.
“Our mids were strong in the contest and worked hard on the spread, allowing our offensive game to flow,” said Saddington.
“Jack Powell, Laine Fitzgerald and Jake Gaynor were standouts within the midfield group.
“The forward line worked hard also, which allowed us to get good entries, and get shots on goal most times we entered the forward fifty.
“We were also very impressed with the efforts of our younger seventeen-year olds, in particular James Peatling, Riley Corbett, Shaun Driscoll and Dan Cerni.”
The GIANTS will play the Brisbane Lions Academy in Queensland for the final match of this series on 6 May 2017.
GWS GIANTS ACADEMY – 17.14 (116)
NORTHERN TERRITORY – 9.11 (65)
GIANTS GOALS – Riley Corbett (3), Nicholas Shipley (3), James Peatling (2), Keiren Briggs (2), Rhys Pollock (2), Tom Highmore, Reed Stevens, Laine Fitzgerald, Matthew Walker, Tyler McInnes
GIANTS BEST – Laine Fitzgerald, Jack Powell, Jake Gaynor, James Peatling, Nicholas Shipley, Riley Corbett
NAB AFL U16 ACADEMY SERIES
Sydney Swans Academy vs. GWS GIANTS Academy
Round One of the NAB AFL U16s Academy Series kicked off over the weekend with a local Sydney Derby at Blacktown.
The Sydney Swans Academy took a comfortable win from the GWS GIANTS Academy as they ran out 61-point victors.
Sydney Swans Academy Manager, Chris Smith said that he was proud of the effort from his young team.
“Despite it being just their first match of the year, the coaches and support staff are genuinely excited to see that the young team are willing to compete from start to finish,” said Smith.
“While it was a solid win, we expect the GIANTS to be better for the experience. I know they will hit back when we play again in Round 2.
“This young group have a great attitude. It is also a positive that we have a great range of size across the team – they are very coachable which helps.”
The Sydney Swans Academy will play the GWS GIANTS Academy again in Round 2 on 13 May in Blacktown.
SYDNEY SWANS ACADEMY – 17.9 (111)
GWS GIANTS ACADEMY – 7.8 (50)
SWANS ACADEMY GOALS – Jackson Barling (4), Harry Maguire (2), Lachlan Price (2), Josef Wilks (2), Luke Gallen (2), Reed Van Huisstede, Matthew Kannan, Aidan Watling, Nicholas Brewer, Joshua Rayner
GIANTS ACADEMY GOALS – Michael Driscoll (2), Connor Marsh (2), Matthew McGrory, Wilson Mack, Liam Russell
