THE UNDER 18 Academy Series kicked off at Blacktown International Sports Park on Saturday, with Tasmania, Sydney Swans Academy and GWS Giants Academy teams collecting victories. 

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TASMANIA VS. GOLD COAST ACADEMY

LIKELY Tasmanian draftee Chayce Jones has starred in the opening game of the NAB AFL Under 18 Academy Series at Blacktown International Sports Park on Saturday. After trailing at quarter-time, Tasmania booted eight goals to one in the second quarter, to move to an uncatchable lead over the Gold Coast Suns Academy side, eventually running out 45-points winners. 

Last weekend, 18-year-old Jones impressed in front of recruiters at the MCG against the North Melbourne VFL side, continuing his strong form in the attacking half of the ground, booting four goals to help the Mariners to a big win.  A serious injury curtailed majority of the Mariners captains bottom-age season, with a serious ankle injury requiring surgery – doctors had to insert a plate into the side of his leg near his ankle, which was screwed together. 

Outside Midfielder Fraser Turner collected a match-high 34 disposals, 10 marks and seven inside 50s, aided by ruckman Tim Auckland who used his frame well around the ground and was the Mariners best player on the day. North Melbourne Next-Generation Academy prospect Tarryn Thomas (23 disposals) did some good things throughout the mornings, continuing to put his hand up for a possible Top 10 bid.  Mariners overager Thomas Mundy and Blair Rubock both booted three goals each. 

For the Suns, tall defender Caleb Graham showed some good signs overhead, claiming five marks for the game – repelling multiple Mariners attacks from defensive 50.  Midfielder Bailey Scott used his speed through the midfield, gathering 23 disposals, five clearances and a goal. Scott is eligible to be drafted by three clubs (as well as having the option of entering the open draft), as the son of former Cat (132 games) and Kangaroos (111 games) player Robert Scott is eligible for father-son both clubs, as well as being part of the Gold Coast Suns academy. Tall defender Dirk Koenen (194cm) was the Suns’ best player for the contest, taking eight marks for the match.

Tasmania face Northern Territory in Melbourne next week, while Gold Coast will play Brisbane Lions Academy at South Pine. 

TASMANIA                  1.1      9.3      10.6         15.9 (99)      
GOLD COAST             2.1      3.2        5.5           8.6 (54)                  

GOALS
TASMANIA: Jones 4, Rubock 3, Mundy 3, Dakin 2, Banks-Smith 2, O’Neill
GOLD COAST: Smith 2, Burke, Conroy, Graham, Greenwool, Lowah, Scott

BEST
TASMANIA: Auckland, Turner, Jones, House, McGuinness, Gadomski 
GOLD COAST: Koenen, Smith, McDonald, Scott, Graham

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GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY ACADEMY VS. NORTHERN TERRITORY

A STRONG all-round team effort has helped the Greater Western Sydney Academy side to a 48-point victory over the Northern Territory at Blacktown International Sports Park on Saturday. After a tight opening term, the Giants kicked away in the second quarter and never looked back with midfielder Tom Green racking up 31 disposals and 10 clearances in a best-on-ground display.

Murray Bushrangers pair Jacob Koschitzke and Matthew Walker also impressed through the contest, playing back and forward respectively. Koschitzke was a rock at Full Back, providing great run and carry out of defensive 50, while Walker had a very good battle with NT defender Rodney Baird, with Walker leading up the ground well taking multiple marks.  Nicholas Murray, the brother of Collingwood defender Sam, also was in the best with 21 disposals and five rebound 50s, while Ben Kelly rucked with authority during the entire match. 

For Northern Territory, Liam Holt-Fitz showed great speed on the outside, laying strong tackles. 173cm Holt-Fitz is a name to watch out for during the remaining of the Under 18 Academy Series, having been watched by recruiters closely over the last few years.  AFL Academy member Matt Green rebounded well out of defensive 50, finishing the day with 19 disposals and three rebound 50s while Michael Mummery showed some good signs and will continue to get better with each game he plays this season.  Dandenong Stingrays talls Stephen and Matthew Cumming did a good job, having only recently joined their teammates for the Under 18 Academy Series. Stephen was named as the NTs best player, battling with GWS’ Ben Kelly during the match. 

GWS Giants return to Blacktown next week for a cross-city clash against the Sydney Swans, while Northern Territory will travel to Melbourne to face Tasmania. 

GWS GIANTS                                  2.3       6.4       9.4       13.5 (83)
NORTHERN TERRITORY                2.1       2.4       4.5        5.5 (35)

GOALS
GWS GIANTS: Chandler 3, Corbett 2, Edwards 2, Budd, Driscoll, Peatling, Powell, Rowston, Walker
NORTHERN TERRITORY: Schwarze 2, Brown, Rosas, Scrutton 

BEST
GWS GIANTS: Green, Koschitzke, Murray, Beaumont, Kelly, Briggs
NORTHERN TERRITORY: S Cumming, Rosas, Grant, Baird, Green, Holt-Fitz

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SYDNEY SWANS ACADEMY VS. BRISBANE LIONS ACADEMY

POSSIBLE Top-10 Nick Blakey has booted five goals to lead the Sydney Swans U18 Academy team to victory over the Brisbane Lions Academy at Blacktown on Saturday.  The Swans led from start to finish in the second game of the NAB AFL Under 18 Academy Series, running out 49-point winners infront of a sea of AFL club recruiters watching on.

Blakey has the option of joining North Melbourne or Brisbane Lions as a father-son pick, after father John played 135 games with Fitzroy, before moving to North Melbourne, where he played 224 games. Blakey is also part of the Sydney Swans Academy and is eligible to join them as an Academy selection. The 195cm forward was too good for his Lions opponent, finishing the day with 19 disposals, seven marks and five goals. Blakey’s ball use off his left foot was impressive, where he also had four inside 50s for the match.  Small forward Cooper Kilpatrick had some really good flashes of play, kicking three goals for the contest.

For the Lions, zippy midfielder Darcy Marsh collected 23 disposals, eight inside 50s and booted two goals. Tall Toara Marango (191cm) was the Lions’ best, working tirelessly in defense right throughout the entire contest. 

The Sydney Swans won’t have to travel far, facing GWS Giants at Blacktown next Saturday, while the Brisbane Lions play Gold Coast at Southpine on Sunday. 

SYDNEY SWANS                  3.2      8.2      13.5         16.6 (102)      
BRISBANE LIONS                 1.2      3.2        5.4            8.5 (53)                  

GOALS
SYDNEY: Blakey 5, Kilpatrick 3, McKellar, Reinhard, Barkley, Barling, Stern, Carroll, Wicks, Parker
BRISBANE: Marsh 2, Reville, Franks, McFadyen, Stackelberg, Jeffrey, Ansell

BEST
SYDNEY: Cameron, Blakey, McKeller, Kilpatrick, Reinhard, Rayner, Parker
BRISBANE: Marango, Marsh, Griffiths, Franks, Stackelberg