The QBE Sydney Swans Academy will bring in key players Nick Blakey and Josh Rayner for a top-of-the-table clash against Tasmania this Saturday.
Both teams are undefeated in this year’s U18 Academy Series, and it’s likely whoever wins the match at Glenorchy KGV Oval will take out the 2018 national title.
The Swans won the inaugural U18 Academy Series in 2017 and have their sights set on back-to-back titles.
Three rounds into this year’s five round competition, the Swans have beaten the Brisbane Lions Academy, GWS Academy and the Northern Territory, while Tasmania has defeated the Gold Coast Suns Academy, NT and Brisbane.
Academy general manager, Chris Smith, says the Tasmanian side is very talented and will be a big challenge for the Swans.
“The Tasmanians play a really good style of footy and their development program has gone to the next level. They run strongly, are cohesive and have a number of mature players,’’ Smith said.
“We’re going to field a very strong team and we’ll be going down there hoping to break their unbeaten run.
“We had a close game against them last year and only got over the line by a few points, and we expect it to be tight again on Saturday.’’
The Academy Series gives players a chance to showcase their talents to AFL recruiters, and to win selection in the combined Allies team to play in the National U18 Championships in June against Vic Metro, Vic Country, WA and SA.
However the focus for the Swans Academy remains on playing the team-oriented football that has been successful so far.
“We really believe our team-first attitude has allowed individual players to shine and best show off their skills and assets,’’ Smith said. “We’ve put that philosophy into practice and our boys have excelled because of it.’’
The Swans have fielded 29 Academy players in the three games played so far, including 13 who are ‘under-age’, and only turning 17 this year. They’ll be eligible to play in the U18 Series again next year.
“It’s fantastic that we’ve been able to provide opportunities for so many under-age players this year - half the team has been under-age and we’ve still performed well. The experience will stand those boys in good stead for next year too,’’ Smith said.
Blakey and Rayner, both members of the national AFL Academy as well as the Swans Academy, will return to the side to play Tasmania.
Blakey, eligible for the draft this year, was rested against the Northern Territory last week. A strong-marking, agile key position player, Blakey kicked seven goals against the GWS Academy and five goals against the Brisbane Lions Academy.
Josh Rayner, who is one of the Swans’ ‘under-age’ players and a member of the U17 group in the AFL Academy, is also a versatile key position player who was impressive in the first Series game against Brisbane.
Another talented U17 player, Harry Parker, from Coffs Harbour, will return to the Academy side after making a promising senior football debut for the Swans reserves in the NEAFL last week.
Lachlan Dent, a Wollongong local who played basketball for Australia at U16 and U17 level and only took up AFL last year, will make his Series debut after coming to the Academy through the alternative talent program.
Other inclusions will be U19 players Mitchell Rogers and Jeremy Shumack, as each side is allowed to field five players in the U19 group who are considered draft prospects. Joey Reinhard, who was best afield against the Northern Territory last week, won’t play against Tasmania due to knee soreness.
Game details:
Tasmania U18 v QBE Sydney Swans Academy
Glenorchy KGV Oval
10.30a, Saturday May 5
