Under 16 Academy series: Game 1

The opening game of the series was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best of the region’s young talent, with players from both sides displaying an impressive array of skills and athleticism.

The young GIANTS clearly benefitted from their two days spent in camp together at Blacktown before the clash, attacking the football relentlessly all afternoon, and notching a deserved win.

With the Under 16 National Championships in Queensland beginning in July, the Academy series has been slated as a genuine selection trial for the crop of youngsters, with the best 25 set to earn selection in the NSW/ACT line-up.

“The standard of football yesterday was very high, and we’re really pleased to have such a talented group of players from which to choose our representative side,” said NSW/ACT Talent and and Coaching Manager Darren Denneman.

“The Swans and GIANTS academies have been really successful in identifying a core group of players with the ability to genuinely push for a spot on an AFL list in years to come.”

The sides next travel to Queanbeyan for game two of the series on April 12, before the final fixture on May 17, most likely to be played at Tom Wills Oval at Homebush.

GWS GIANTS Academy 18  13 121 defeated Sydney Swans Academy 3 3 21

Goals: GWS GIANTS- Page 3, Lambert 2, Sproule 2, Cumming 2, Garth 2, Byrne, Mutch, Carroll, Maguire, Gray, Fisher, Neagle.

Goals: Sydney Swans- Morgan, Chichester, Lee.

2014 NAB AFL Under 16s Championships Fixture 

Saturday July 5

SA v Vic Country at Metricon Stadium, 10.20am
Vic Metro v WA at Metricon Stadium, 1pm
 
Sunday July 6

South Pacific v World at Broadbeach, 9am
Tas v Qld at Broadbeach, 11am
NSW/ACT v NT at Broadbeach, 1.20pm
WA NW v Boomerangs at Broadbeach, 3.40pm
 
Tuesday July 8

WA v Vic Country at Metricon Stadium, 11am
SA v Vic Metro at Metricon Stadium, 1.10pm
 
Wednesday July 9

South Pacific v WA NW at Broadbeach, 9am
World v Boomerangs at Broadbeach, 11am
Qld v NSW/ACT at Southport, 1.30pm
NT v Tas at Southport, 3.30pm
 
Friday July 11

WA v WA at Southport, 9.45am
Vic Country v Vic Metro at Southport, 11.45am
 
Saturday July 12

WA NW v World at Metricon 2, 9.30am
Boomerangs v South Pacific at Metricon 2, 11.30am
Tas v NSW/ACT at Metricon Stadium, 11.30am
NT v Qld at Metricon Stadium, 1.30pm