GWS Giants Academy produced an impressive fourth term to run over the top of the AFL Sydney Under 22s to produce a memorable three-point win at Alan Ray Oval in Ainslie last weekend. In the second round of matches for the 2024 Summer Series, both the Swans and Giants Academies picked up victories, with the former keeping AFL Canberra Under 22s winless from their two matches.

Giants Academy 5.7 (37) defeated AFL Sydney Under 22s 5.4 (34)

The Giants Academy bookended the performance with strong quarters, while AFL Sydney Under 22s took control in the middle two terms. After Ashley Patton got the team goal with a clever snap midway through the first term, Mia Jones made it two in a row just over a minute later running in. The Giants held a 14-1 lead at quarter time, but the AFL Sydneysiders would not lie down.

After an arm-wrestle for the first half of the second term, goalsneak Sophie Kavanagh made no mistake from the set shot, with the left footer kicking truly. Tilley Edwards Hill made it two in a row with some loose checking from the Giants Academy, strolling in from point blank range with no one on the mark. By half-time the deficit had closed to two points.

Though the Giants peppered the goals early straight after half-time and AFL Sydney Under 22s lost Mikayla Jones to injury nine minutes in, it was the visitors who found the big sticks midway through the quarter and goals started to flow. Jayme Saggers, Zara Hamilton and then Kavanagh again put the older side up by 16 points at the final break.

AFL Sydney Under 22s looked safe, but within three minutes of the final term, the lead had been chewed back to just four points. Charlotte Canavan won a free from the top of the goalsquare and made no mistake, while Patton kicked her second off a lovely snap a minute later. Though they were the ones on the scoresheet, Amelie Prosser-Shaw won both clearances to get it forward and was instrumental in her move from defence to the midfield later in the game.

The Giants were still down, but in the 12th minute, Megan Mifsud changed all that. She ran around the mark from 50m gaining the extra five metres she needed to launch on goal and it bounced home. Aysha Sanchez almost had the icing on the cake in the final 30 seconds with a bouncing shot on goal but it cannoned into the post, and the Giants made do with a three point win, 5.7 (37) to 5.4 (34).

Giants Academy Standout: Amelie Prosser-Shaw (East Coast Eagles)

The top-age defender played a strong four-quarter game, and her move into the midfield was eye-catching. She uses the ball well and can kick over multiple distances, while reading it well in flight when behind the ball. Though changing up to start on-ball mid-match might take a bit of time to adjust, Prosser-Shaw took to it like a duck to water, winning a couple of crucial clearances early in the fourth that set up goals. She takes the game on and seemingly got involved in everything. Though not coming with the fanfare of others, she showed she could be a handy AFLW Draft prospect across a couple of positions this season.

Other Giants to Watch:

It is hard to miss the smooth-moving Patton inside 50 with her work around the ball, and also able to get further afield. On traits alone, she is the clear standout AFLW Draft prospect from the Giants, and her pickups off the deck and ability to work through traffic is sublime.

Ava Barraclough is clean off the deck as well and not afraid to lay a big tackle. Sometimes she can rush with ball-in-hand but her defensive pressure is impressive. It is similarly the case for Mifsud who worked hard in the defensive half of the ground and got reward for effort in the last quarter with the match-winning goal bombing it from 45m.

Others who had some strong games include forward Charlotte Canavan and midfielder Sophia de Castella, with the over-ager laying some bone-crunching tackles and being very quick to dish off by hand. A little more raw, Lily Sullivan also caught the eye with her determination to take the game on, it will just be about gaining a touch more composure and execution under pressure, but she has athletic talent.

AFL Sydney Under 22s Standout: Sophie Kavanagh (Parramatta Goannas)

The talented left-footer was ever-dangerous inside 50 and finished off her work with two majors. The first came in the second term where she read the ball well in flight to mark and made no mistake from the set shot. Her second was on the run in the third term, receiving the handball and slotting it home, in what would be her side’s first and last goals of the day. She had another chance in the second term with a snap for a behind, but also worked up the ground at times, taking a good mark at half-back. Reads the play well and has the natural goal sense, a raw talent.

Other Under 22s to Watch:

Saskia Johnson is a unique talent with incredibly clean hands. Her one-take ability at ground level was sensational and she always looks dangerous. Her decision making let her down, but if she can tidy that up, her cleanliness and athleticism ticks boxes.

Summer Hall showed potential through the midfield and helping out in defence. She showed nice stoppage craft and has a good kicking technique with time and space, while also being clean off the deck. When under pressure she tended to bomb it on the boot, but again ticked a few boxes with her inside work.

Caitlin Fletcher led by example as captain and was strong in the middle and defence, taking good intercept marks, while Gabrielle Stanwix and Elly Rudd also caught the eye with the way they play through the match.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

The other match was nowhere near as tight, as the Swans Academy bounced back from a loss to the AFL Sydney Under 22s to completely crush AFL Canberra’s Under 22s. The Swans piled on 23 scoring shots while keeping AFL Canberra goalless. Booting six goals in the first half and eight in the second, the home team won 14.9 (93) to 0.6 (6) at Blacktown International Sportspark.

Lauren Bull had a day out in front of goal with five majors, one of five multiple goalkickers. The crafty Amelia Martin and skipper Taylor Smith were among the players to kick two each, while Lucy Yates, Imogen Brown and Taya White were named among the best for the red and white.

ROUND 3 FIXTURES

Swans Academy vs. Giants Academy @ Blacktown International Sportspark | Sunday, March 17, 1pm
AFL Sydney Under 22s vs. AFL Canberra Under 22s @ Blacktown International Sportspark | Sunday, March 17, 3pm