QBE Sydney Swans Academy coaches have rung the changes to both the Under 17 and Under 19 teams ahead of the final match in their Academy Series against the Giants this Saturday.
Both sides went down to the Giants in the opening game two weeks ago. The Swans Top End Academy teams have not lost a Series to the Giants for several years and will be out to make amends when they meet again at Blacktown International Sportspark.
Academy Head Coach Jared Crouch says he wants to give every squad member an opportunity to play at the highest level against the Giants.
"All the changes are not necessarily about form. We have a few injuries and we also want to give other boys a chance to show what they can do,'' Crouch said.
"But the main change I want to see this week is that our boys play with enjoyment and passion for the game and stop worrying about individual results or impressing AFL club recruiters.''
In game one of the Series the Under 17s had a tough loss, beaten by five points after a Giants player took a mark in the last seconds of the match and nailed the set shot after the siren.
The Under 19s were outclassed, losing by 31 points to a more desperate and disciplined Giants team.
Crouch and fellow Academy coach Nick Davis have reviewed those games with the players and pointed out a number of areas where they need to be better this weekend, in particular manning up and being more accountable.
Crouch is confident the boys will be more composed, and hungrier for the contest.
"After playing limited high level footy in 2020 there were a lot of nerves and cobwebs a couple of weeks ago, particularly for the Under 17s. Now we want to see them being more vocal and playing as a team.
"And for the Under 19s, they need to be much better at opponent awareness, rather than just chasing the ball. It's important they go out this weekend to show and earn respect - show respect to their opposition, and earn respect from their team-mates,'' Crouch said.
View the Under 17s and Under 19s matches against the Giants at the following live streams.
2021 Academy Series, Game Two
Under 19s - QBE Swans Academy v GWS Giants
Blacktown International Sportspark
Saturday May 8, 2.45pm
Under 19 QBE Swans Academy team:
Aiden Adams
Toby Alker
Angus Anderson
Jacob Bauer
Jasper Crouch
Will Edwards
Jordan Endemann
Sam Eynaud
Riley Fitzroy
Ciaran Flynn
Kale Gabila
Luke Giacometti
Matthew McKenzie
Jack Mortimer
Harrison Parker
Liam Puncher
Felix Rogers
Pierce Roseby
Willem Smit
Byron Middleton
Thomas Trevaskis
Cooper Wilson
Jeremy Woodford
Taine Wright
In: Toby Alker; Sam Eynaud; Taine Wright; Aiden Adams; Matthew McKenzie; Liam Puncher; Willem Smit, Jasper Crouch
Out: Kye Pfrengle (injured); Louis Wilson (injured); Joshua Taylor (injured); Oscar Davis; Robert Mueller; Lenny Robin; Eddie Marning; Jackson Tikkeros
Under 17s - QBE Swans Academy v GWS Giants
Blacktown International Sportspark
Saturday May 8, 12.30pm
Under 17 QBE Swans Academy team:
Daniel Bertolissio
Lachlan Cabor
Caiden Cleary
Rory Cole
Remi Cunningham
Tye Gander
Thye Hamilton
Jake Hansen
Ned Hawkins
Indhi Kirk
Mitch Kunigiskis
Mathew Laughton
James Lugsdin
Rory Madderom
Omar Matar
Hamish Morrison
Joshua Nicholls
Bililign Robertson
William Sabolch
TJ Speedy Coe
James Tidemann
Thomas Unger
Christian Webster
Benjamin High
In: TJ Speedy Coe; Mitch Kunigiskis; Daniel Bertolissio; Hamish Morrison; Rory Madderom
Out: Billy King (injured); Lucas Newman (injured); Daniel Corcoran; William Hopkins
