TASMANIA has claimed the Under 18 Academy Series title after a dominant first term against Sydney Swans Academy set the Mariners up for a 32-point win. Tasmania booted six goals to one in the opening term and proved too good for the Swans, holding on for victory. We were there to capture the action and some of the players who performed well.

Tasmania        6.2       9.3       14.3     18.5 (113)
Sydney                        1.2       5.5       8.7       12.9 (81)

GOALS

Tasmania: Mundy 3, Dakin 2, Rubock 2, McGuinness 2, Thomas 2, Jones, Mansell, Jackson, Turner, Donnelly, Burrows-Cheng, O’Neill
Sydney: Blakey 3, Barling 2, Stewart 2, Parker 2, Stern, Thorne, Loone 

BEST

Tasmania: Thomas, Dakin, Jackson, Baker, Mundy, Jones
Sydney: Stern, Parks, Thorne, Rayner, Blakey, Brewer

SWANS

#26 Bailey Stewart

Stewart is an over-age player returning to the Swans line up after a few North Eastern Australian Football League (NEAFL) games. Stewart’s defensive pressure throughout the game was a real standout, he applied a lot of pressure on the ball carriers, he chased and tackled and won his own football. Stewart pushed forward in the final quarter and kicked two very quick goals to give the Swans a glimmer of a comeback.

#40 Joshua Rayner

After missing the past two games due to AIS commitments, Rayner slotted straight into centre-half back. Rayner took some fantastic intercept marks and affected spoils when Tasmania were on top early in the game. Rayner took responsibility for Tarryn Thomas when he dropped back for an on-field rotation, it was a good contest with no clear winner, though Rayner kept Thomas goalless when defending him. In the second half, Tasmania appeared to drag Rayner as deep as possible, as a result his second half was not as effective.

#16 Joshua Stern

Another solid performance from Stern picking up where he left off last week. Playing in the midfield and off the half-back flank, Stern’s work rate cannot be questioned. Stern worked hard around the congested well supported by Stewart, and cleared the ball by hand numerous times to put Swans on the attack. Stern finished with one goal.

#3 Nick Blakey

A quiet day by Blakey’s usual standard as he was heavily marked and received plenty of attention both on and off the ball. Blakey was still able to hit the score board three times during the game, his goals coming off a nice pack mark, a holding the ball free and a nice handball from Barling to run into an open goal.

TASMANIA

#13 Tarryn Thomas

Thomas was a clear standout today in a best on ground performance, we can see why the Kangaroos are chasing his services for 2019. Thomas’s clearance work was fantastic giving Tasmania first option almost every time. Thomas’s clearances by hand and foot where elite with him hitting targets all game. Thomas’s class was on show early with a great snapshot from 45 metres out, his defensive work also a highlight as he pushed deep into the Swans forward line taking numerous intercept marks.

#5 Jared Dakin

Dakin, a bottom age player, was getting clean footy from Thomas all day and used his speed to run and carry on the outside keeping Tasmania in attack for much of the day. Dakin’s use of the football was excellent and he was rewarded with two second half goals.

#15 Nicholas Baker

Baker was strong across centre-half back taking some very impressive intercept marks and using his footy nous to switch the play numerous times to give Tasmania space to run and carry. Baker did not waste his opportunities by hand or foot and contributed a number of tackles to again return possession to Tasmania.

#19 Thomas Mundy

Mundy had a strong game which featured a number of contested marks. Mundy showed his adaptability to play numerous positions throughout the game and was a handful for the Swans defenders when he pushed forward and kicked three goals.