The Swans Reserves team has played a number of QBE Sydney Swans Academy footballers this season.
Eight players who are in the QBE Academy’s Under 21 squad have been regular “top-up’’ players, helping make up the reserves side which plays in the NEAFL competition.
Reserves coach Henry Playfair said having the same youngsters play each week had benefited the boys.
“They all train with the Swans at least once a week and then play with the reserves so it has been fantastic for their development as footballers,’’ Playfair said.
Under the NEAFL rules, the Swans are allowed to have only 13 senior listed players (primary or rookie) on the field at any one time.
In previous seasons the extra players came from other clubs in the Canberra competition and the Sydney Football League, but not on a permanent basis.
The top-up players included in the new system have all been recruited from Sydney-based AFL clubs.
Playfair, and development coach Jared Crouch, gave sydneyswans.com.au a rundown on each of the players….so next time you’re watching the Swans reserves, you’ll know who is wearing numbers 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53 and 54.
No.54 Tim Wales, 19, from Pennant Hills - Solid defender who can play on tall / medium sized forwards, left footer who is strong in the 1 on 1 contest. Reads the play well and can set up attacking plays from the back half with his trusty left boot.
No. 48 Blake Guthrie, 18, from St George - Midfield / defender - has had some big jobs on opposition small forwards where he has shown an ability to shut down his opponent. Can also be used through the midfield or on the wing, uses the ball well and is hard at the man and the contest.
No. 53 Kane Murphy, 19, from Sydney University - Son of the great David has had a great year as a midfielder / small forward, has kicked multiple goals on many occasions this season. Always brings a strong attack on the footy and accumulates possessions around the ground.
No. 50 James Brain, 19, Sydney Univesity - Tough and hard, consistently puts his body on the line for the betterment of the team, injury troubles has meant he has missed games in the middle part of the season. Now played 3 games back from injury and has jumped straight back in where he left off, fantastic competitor.
No. 51 Jack Lynch, 18, Sydney Swans Academy (previous club, Riverview) - Troubled with an ankle injury in recent weeks and was involved in the state NSW/ACT team prior to that, has been used as a defender for the Reserves and played some good shut down roles on quality opposition tall forwards. Reads the game well and can set up scoring thrusts from defence.
No. 49 Nathan Kenny, 18, Wollongong - Been used mainly as a small defender and has improved significantly since the beginning of the season. Has shown an ability to shut down a key opposition small forward and is now starting to win his fair share of possession.
No. 52 Mitch Thompson, 20, Sydney University - Injury has sidelined Mitch for the past 6 weeks, prior to this he was one of the form players in the reserves, has played through the midfield and in defence, possesses neat skills and the ability to run all game.
No. 47 Jackson Potter, 18, from Pennant Hills - Tough left footed midfielder who can win the ball in tight and in open space. Has had a consistent year both with the RAMS and with the reserves, uses the ball well and runs hard.
