The Under 18 Championships has arrived for the QBE Sydney Swans Academy.

The opening round of the new-look Division 2 tournament, which kicks off across the country this weekend, will see the Sydney Swans take on cross-town rivals GWS on Sunday.

It has been billed as a huge test for head coach Jared Crouch and his chosen 23. Despite coming out on top in last year’s Academy Series, the Swans go in as underdogs at Blacktown International Sportspark.

Not that it worries the coach however with Crouch backing his players’ preparation - which indluded a practice match against North Shore Prems a fortnight ago - in what’s been a huge pre-season campaign.

“Everyone’s just really excited,” Crouch said after Thursday’s final training session at Lakeside Oval.

“The whole Academy is looking forward to getting into games after such a long summer.

“It’s a great new format that I know we as a club, and certainly Chris Smith (Academy General Manager) has worked hard to make happen so more of our boys get the opportunity to perform on that stage.

“We know how tough the Giants are but we’ve got a lot of good players who work really hard, and if they bring that work ethic on the weekend they’ll do the Club proud.”

Crouch got a first-hand look at what talent pool GWS possesses during the State Academy Combine Testing earlier this month where NSW’s best underage prospects were on show in front of Sydney and GWS officials alike.

Crouch said he’ll be looking for his charges to combat the Giants’ bigger and taller types with a “good, honest, hard-working” brand of football.

“Like every side in the AFL going into Round 1, you haven’t lost a game in a long time so you always go in confident,” Crouch said.

“If they bring their best, that’s all I can ask for. If they do that, they’ve got an opportunity to beat anyone.

“It’s a great talent pool they do have but I’m pretty happy with my boys.

“What we’re looking to do, especially against their bigger forwards, is play as traditional Swans defenders.

“Just like your Leo Barry’s, Craig Bolton’s and Heath Grundy’s – usually undersized but always having a crack.”

The first bounce is at 1pm.

See the selected squad below plus players to watch as compiled by AFL.com.au reporter Callum Twomey.

Players to watch

James Bell
10/2/99
183cm/75kg
UNSW
Midfielder

Crouch: "James is a good runner on the outside and is a good ball user as well. He gained good experience playing as an underager in our Under 18's side last year. He's certainly a player who can get on the outside and give some run."

Michael Carroll
18/6/99
191cm/85kg
Pennant Hills
Defender

Crouch:"A key position player who can play at either end of the ground, but he's probably predominantly been used down back. He's a very good one-on-one player who takes a good mark."

Jack Hardman
31/12/99
173cm/67kg
UNSW
Forward

Crouch: "Jack played for us last year as an Under 17 and is a really tough, small forward with lightning pace and he certainly knows how to kick a goal. We generally try to play him forward but we will show his versatility at times as with other players so they're not pigeonholed in one position."