The newly formatted Under 18 Academy Series continued over the weekend, despite the AFL Academy game going ahead meaning some teams were under strength. The series will take a break over the next two weekends, returning back on April 29th. (The postponed match between Brisbane Lions and Tasmania will be played on April 22nd)

Despite being undermanned, the GWS Giants Academy prevailed over Tasmania by 11 points at North Hobart Oval on Saturday.

Nicholas Shipley continued his stellar form in the academy series, collecting 17 disposals and laying 11 tackles as a strong player at the contest. Tom Highmore was also a prominent figure through the midfield with 18 disposals and seven marks.

It was however, Laine Fitzgerald (24 disposals, six clearances) and Doulton Langlands (18 disposals, seven marks) who were the difference in the contest, both racking up the ball through the midfield.

Both players are eligible to the open draft pool after GWS were stripped of part of their zone last month.

Tasmania’s captain Lachlan Clifford was the Mariners clear standout with 23 disposals, seven tackles, seven clearances and three goals – an effort which will do his possibilities of an Allies squad call up no harm.

TASMANIA                3.1    5.6    8.3    12.5 (77)
GWS ACADEMY         2.1    6.2    10.3 14.4 (88)        

GOALS
?TASMANIA: Clifford 3, Buechner 3, Dixon 2, Pearce, Auckland, Brenner, B McGuinness
GWS ACADEMY: Paech 3, Lane 2, Stevens 2, Pollock, Walker, Highmore, Palombi, Briggs, Cuthbert, Koschitzche 

BEST
?TASMANIA: Clifford, Buechner, Pearce, Dixon, Brenner
GWS ACADEMY: Highmore, Shipley, Langlands, Gaynor, Owen-Auburn, Fitzgerald

Sydney Swans bottom-age academy prospect Nick Blakey continued to turn heads, with a four goal effort helping the Swans to a 66-point victory over the Gold Coast Suns Academy.

Blakey finished the game with 18 disposals and booted all four of his goals in the second quarter to take the game away from the Suns.

Half-forward Luke Skrivanic showed speed and agility, booting three goals from 14 disposals. Overager Jake Brown collected 26 disposals, five clearances and booted two goals in one of his best games in the academy series so far.

For the Suns, Bailey Scott had 16 disposals, five inside 50s and kicked a goal from the midfield. Scott is eligible for North Melbourne, Geelong and Gold Coast at a discount.

Connor Nutting was the Suns’ best and moved well around the ground, while Sam Davidson had 18 disposals, nine marks and six inside 50s.

SYDNEY ACADEMY              4.3       8.5       10.9    15.11 (101)
GOLD COAST ACADEMY     3.2       3.3       4.5       5.5 (35) 

GOALS
Sydney Academy: Blakey 4, Skrivanic 3, Carroll 2, Brown 2, Wicks, Rankin, Carr, Stewart
Gold Coast Academy: Arnold, Foster, Watson, Scott, Beaman

BEST?
Sydney Academy: Carroll, Skrivanic, Wicks, Stewart, Osborne, Rogers
Gold Coast Academy: Nutting, Heron, Foster, Smith, Arnold, Davidson

Brisbane Lions Academy defender Jack Payne continued to standout in the Under 18 Academy Series, aiding the Lions to a 50-point with over Northern Territory at TIO Stadium in Darwin on Saturday.

Payne’s strong one-on-one work was outstanding and he used the ball well coming out of defensive 50.

193cm key forward Billy Drake bagged three goals, as did smart half-forward Billy Johnson who worked hard all day.

Northern Territory themselves were undermanned with Zac Bailey missing through school football commitments in South Australia.

Bottom age 176cm forward Beau Schwarze booted four goals and was a hard match up for the Lions.

Tall Marcus Valastro played in multiple positions for NT and continued to compete hard all day, finishing as his side’s best player.

NORTHERN TERRITORY               1.1      3.2         6.4          8.6 (54)
BRISBANE LIONS ACADEMY       6.1      8.5       11.7        16.8 (104) 

GOALS
Northern Territory: Schwarze 4, Mu, Hutt, Bricknell, Althouse-Cooper
Brisbane Lions Academy: Drake 3, Johnson 3, Fletcher 2, Kristelly, Aston, Stackelberg, Coleman, Lambert, Fleming, Franks, Warren

BEST
Northern Territory: Valastro, Schwarze, Holt-Fitz, Green, Bull, Hutt
Brisbane Lions Academy: Matthews, Franks, Johnson, Payne, Tomkinson