The QBE Sydney Swans Academy will host the GWS Academy at the SCG this Saturday in the second of two Academy clashes this season.

With GWS taking the honours in both the under-16 and under-18 age groups when the sides last met in April, the Swans Academy will be out to produce their best football at Sydney’s home of football this weekend to even the ledger.

This week, sydneyswans.com.au takes a look at some of the Swans Academy players to watch in this weekend’s showdown.

UNDER-18

Name: Lloyd Perris
Age: 18
Position: Midfielder
Number: 10
Club: St George

What the coaches said:
One of the inaugural members of the QBE Sydney Swans Academy, 18-year-old Lloyd Perris will be one to watch in Saturday’s under-18 Academy match.

Perris, who will captain the side this weekend, has been one of the standout performers within the Swans Academy both on and off the field.

Swans Academy under-18 coach Paul Roos said Perris’s greatest attribute is his dedication to the game, particularly after recovering from a serious injury.

“He certainly is very much a role model to the other Academy boys because he works extremely hard on what he does,” he said.

“Coming off a knee reconstruction, for a 17-year-old he could have been devastated, but to see the way he attacked it and his rehabilitation has been terrific and the other players really look up to him and admire what he does.

“From an Academy coach’s point of view, it’s great to have a really strong role model within the group with enormous talent, but his work ethic probably exceeds that talent, which is great.”

Name: Harrison Green
Age: 17
Position: Half-back
Number: 14
Club: Wollongong Lions
Secondary School: Bulli High School

What the coaches said:
Harrison Green was one of the Academy’s best performers the last time the Swans Academy met GWS this season.

Hailing from the Illawarra, the talented young defender has been one of the Academy’s big improvers this year and has played as a top-up player for the Swans Reserves twice this season.

One of the bottom-aged boys in the squad, Roos said Green was a player with enormous potential.

“He’s one of the guys who played pretty well in the first game, so he’s one to look out for,” Roos said.

“He plays mainly at half-back, but he can play in a host of different spots including on the wing, but he’ll probably start at half-back again this week.

“He’s one who will be pretty important for us if we’re going to have a better result than we did in the first game.”

Name: Jack Hiscox
Age: 18
Position: midfield/forward
Number: 5
Club: Sydney University

What the coaches said:
The Australian All Schools 800-metre champion, Hiscox is the under-18 squad’s top runner and is described by his coaches as a ‘phenomenal athlete’.

The 18-year-old, who also excelled in the Academy’s three-kilometre time-trial with a time of 9.40min, was another of the Academy’s best in the team’s first clash with GWS in April.

Roos said Hiscox is another athlete who sets a terrific example for his fellow team mates.

“He’s just a really good athlete and has a great combination of speed and power and he’s combined his football with athletics and he was very good in the first game,” Roos said.

“He’s a really interesting kid and works extremely hard and is another one who the other players sort of have to stand back a bit in awe of his athletic talent and how hard he runs.

“He plays midfield and forward and is someone who played on the ball last time and will probably do that again this week and spend a bit of time up forward.”

UNDER-16

Name: Jayden Rymer
Age: 15
Position: Midfield
Number: 16

What the coaches said:
One of the squad’s handy midfielders, Rymer’s versatility will be utilised against GWS this weekend.

Swans Academy Talent ID and Operations Manager Chris Smith said the 15-year-old, who hails from Nelson Bay, is a terrific user of the football.

“Jayden is a versatile midfield who is big, strong and uses the ball very well,” Smith said.

“He is a very important player for the Academy and will be used in a variety of roles this Saturday.”

Name: Ryan Hebron
Age: 16
Position: Defender
Number: 19

What the coaches said:
Hebron, a 16-year-old from Waroongha, is one of the Swans Academy’s key defenders.

The Knox College student is admired by his coaches for his athleticism and competitive edge.

“Ryan is a key defender who is very athletic and extremely competitive on field,” Smith said.

“Ryan will most likely line up on GWS’ most dangerous forward this week.”

Name: Callum Mills
Age: 16
Position: Midfield
Number: 15

What the coaches said:
From Terry Hills, Callum Mills is one of the team’s toughest midfielders.

The 16-year-old possesses terrific on-field endurance, and will be a key cog in the under-16’s midfield structures this weekend.

“Callum is one of our dedicated midfielders and is very hard and tough on-field,” Smith said.

“He will go straight to GWS’ best midfielder and his endurance will be a key for us in this game.”

The QBE Sydney Swans Academy will take on the GWS Academy at the SCG this Saturday May 11.

Starting times:

11:00am – Under-16 match
1:15pm – Under-18 match