IN the second week of the Academy Series, we have put together the Draft Central Academy Series Team of the Week for Round 3, as Sydney and Gold Coast both recorded wins over their cross-state rivals. The Swans have the most players in the 24-player Team of the Week with six, while Gold Coast and GWS GIANTS Academies make up an additional five players each. Brisbane Lions Academy and Northern Territory Thunder Academy both had losses and had the four players named in the team.

Sydney’s six nominees for the Team of the Week spread across the side, with defender Max Geddes in the back pocket, Aidan Watling on the wing and Braeden Campbell in the forward line. On the bench, captain Sam Thorne is joined by Hamish Ellem and Harrison Parker. The Gold Coast Suns’ five players in the team feature four return players with Ashton Crossley and Connor Budarick again lining up in the midfield, Josh Gore slots into the forward pocket, and Jack Johnston at centre half-back. Alex Davies was impressive in Round 3 and was named on the bench.

The GWS GIANTS also have five players in the team despite the loss to Sydney Swans. Nick Murray returns to the team to hold down full-back while Tom Green and Jeromy Lucas are also back in the side as is Liam Delahunty. James Peatling is an overager enjoying a good start to his 19-year-old season, named at half-forward in this week’s Team of the Week. Brisbane Lions Academy’s four players include Tom Griffiths and Ethan Hunt in defence, Bruce Reville at half-forward and Nickolas Haberer on the interchange. The final four players are from Northern Territory with Ben Jungfer named in the team again with Stephen Cumming, while Joel Jeffrey makes the side at half-back, and Beau O’Connell moves into full-forward.