QBE Sydney Swans Academy head coach Jared Crouch has underscored the value of footy on the road after the Under-18s grabbed a 29-point win over the Northern Territory on Saturday.
The Swans secured their third win from as many starts in the 2018 Academy Series in a 14.6 (90) to 8.13 (61) victory in Alice Springs.
The Academy prides itself on not only developing the next generation of stars on the field but in everyday life and Crouch said the trip to the Red Centre played an immense role.
“Every AFL player has to deal with the constant travel and for a lot of our boys they hadn’t been to Alice Springs,” Crouch said.
“We have an amazing Australian culture that when you’re stuck in big cities like Sydney you don’t always see. Taking the boys 15 minutes out of town to Simpson’s Gap and seeing how beautiful our country is was a highlight of the trip.
“It is about going over to play a game of football but it’s also about giving them other experiences and something that they can look back on with fond memories.”
Sydney led at every change and was particularly dominant in a six-goals-to-one opening term.
Utility Joey Reinhard played in the ruck, in the midfield and as a forward and finished with two goals to claim best afield.
Rory Barkley backed up a two-goal effort against GWS the week prior with three majors against the Northern Territory, while Lachlan Swaney bagged a pair.
The Swans were without star forward Nick Blakey but Crouch said a litany of players rose to the occasion in his absence.
“Nick’s a fantastic young player but his absence allows other players to get a bit more recognition,” Crouch said.
“Joey Reinhard was very good for us and Sam Wicks and Josh Stern continued to play well. Cooper Kilpatrick is another one who’s improving each week, along with guys like Kyle McKeller and Connor Flanagan who helped get our ball movement going.
“Nick being out just allows the other players to have the spotlight thrown on them for a little bit rather than all the focus being on him. As much as he deserves it footy is always about the team.”
The Swans top the table after their opening three games of the five-round competition.
They kick-started their campaign with a 49-point win over Brisbane and banked a 23-point victory over GWS in Round 2.
Every player who will be 18 years of age by December 31 will be eligible for the National and Rookie Drafts in November and Crouch said he was rapt with how the young stars were tracking.
“We’re able to review the games and work on things at training and the most rewarding thing for me each week is seeing them improve and put things into practise out on the football field,” Crouch said.
“Certainly the way we’re moving the ball, the way we’re supporting each other, the run and carry – it’s been really pleasing to see each week as we go along.”
Sydney and Tasmania remain the only undefeated outfits ahead of Round 4 and will meet in the Apple Isle on Saturday.
Tasmania cruised to a 96-point win over Brisbane in Broadbeach on the Gold Coast on Saturday and was very clean in front of goal in a return of 17.8.
The win followed victories over the Gold Coast and Northern Territory and Crouch said Tasmania would make for a tough test.
“They’ve been ultra-impressive,” Crouch said.
“They’re playing a very good style of football and we know how difficult they’re going to be in Tasmania. It will be another fantastic challenge for our group."
