The QBE Sydney Swans Academy’s Under 18s went head-to-head in their annual intra-club practice match at Lakeside Oval.

Thursday’s hitout, under the watchful eye of the coaching staff, was the only internal academy game of the year and provided a chance for players impress before the program’s playing schedule heats up.

A practice game against North Shore Bombers on Saturday, March 11, kicks off a series of scratch matches ahead of the upcoming Academy Series.

Players’ performances from the February 23 hitout under the shadow of the SCG will be dissected and analysed to determine who will take part in the two tune-up games against North Shore's seniors and reserves squads.

“I guess with any intra-club the main thing the boys get out of it is crucial miles in the legs plus it's the first opportunity for them to get physical in readiness for games against other opposition," head coach Jared Crouch said.

“As coaches, it allowed us to see where the group is at, what areas we need to improve on and what the key focus for us is leading into the practice matches and then the Academy Series."

The new-look Academy Series will see the Sydney Swans take on fellow academies GWS, Brisbane and Gold Coast plus Northern Territory and Tasmania in a five-round competition.

This year’s format replaced what was traditionally Division 2 of the Under 18 National Championships.

The best performed players in that series will then be chosen to represent the inaugural Allies side in the Division 1 fixture of the National Championships, staged across the nation from June 10.

For the Crouch's players, they have a tough opening to the series with an opening-round clash against GWS on March 26 followed by a trip to Darwin.

"We've got a pretty short turnaround before the game against NT so it is a tough start but we are, and I'm sure the boys will be, excited for the challenge," the coach said.

"It's a new and exciting format we'll be playing in so the boys will get to, many for the first time, experience travelling and playing away from home.

"I'm lucky in a sense to have experienced that during my time as NEAFL Swans coach so hopefully I can't impart my knowledge on my support staff and my players."

Crouch said it'll be crucial during the series to have as many players on the park as possible during the competition, hence the importance of the next few weeks.

"Regardless of what game the boys are playing, everyone will have the same opportunity," he added.

"We had guys last year in the second side who earned their opportunity and pushed their way into the first so nothing is set in stone."

See below for a collection of shots from Thursday's intra-club.