SYDNEY Swans Academy won bragging rights over GWS Giants Academy in the final round of the 2024 Under 22s Summer Series. After both sides faced the best Under 22s from AFL Sydney and AFL Canberra, it was the Swans – who went down to AFL Sydney – knocking off the previously undefeated Giants in a massive come-from-behind win.

The Giants Academy looked in control for most of the match up until the final term, where, with the Swans’ backs against the wall, came out and piled on 6.5 to 0.1 in the fourth quarter to run out 11.9 (75) to 8.6 (54) winners. Lauren Bull and Taylor Smith finished with two goals each for the Swans Academy in the win, while Giants’ over-ager Megan Mifsud was sublime throughout the midfield and up forward, slotting three goals.

SCOUTING NOTES

SWANS ACADEMY:

#6 Taylor Smith

Smith has provided a strong target all tournament and like the upside that comes with her game. She leads out with conviction, can take some clean marks and has a nice technical kick to boot. She kicked a ridiculous goal from 50m early in the third term that bounced home, then converted a second set shot goal just before the final siren to add a cherry on top of the win.

#16 Lauren Bull

After missing an absolute sitter running into an open goalsquare unattended early in the match, she made up for it a minute later with a goal on the run from 15m out but not breaking stride. After having a few chances and taking a couple of good marks inside 50, she kicked her second thanks to a calamitous error from the Giants defenders dropping a mark in the goalsquare for Bull to convert.

#21 Ellie Veerhuis

A talented player with tricks, Veerhuis has the speed to burst away and she was able to set up a goal early in the match with her low delivery inside 50. She would hit another perfect pass to Bull inside 50 in the final term, then got on the end of one of her own, kicking an outstanding goal from 50m after a clean take that bounced up on the line and through the goals.

#22 Emma Juneja

The AFLW Academy member returned to the Swans’ lineup and found plenty of it across the four terms. Generally she did well in creating run and carry for the side, and while her execution would at times just miss the target, she did deliver some pinpoint passes as well. Her drive between the arcs allowed the Swans to put pressure on the Giants defence, and was definitely one of the more consistent players.

GIANTS ACADEMY:

#7 Sophia de Castella

The over-ager has had a great Summer Series and her form continued in game three with some clean takes and fierce work around the ball. Her contest-to-contest work really caught the eye, and though at times she can run herself into trouble and get pinged, de Castella’s clearance work and strength across the board was a highlight. Expect her to be in for a big season.

#11 Megan Mifsud

Another over-ager who had Allies representation last year, Mifsud has been consistent throughout the Summer Series this year. She has played predominantly midfield but rested forward, and hit the scoreboard with multiple goals. This time it was three majors, which included a long-range goal in the first term. She is clever, works hard contest-to-contest and brings the heat. One of the best on the field.

#23 Amelie Prosser-Shaw

Backing up her outstanding game two, Prosser-Shaw came to play again, particularly in the first half where she started in defence and rolled into the midfield where she spent most of her time until later in the game. Prosser-Shaw’s stoppage work is a big tick for the usual rebounding defender, and though under pressure she can throw it on the boot, has a good technique with time and space. She got reward for effort in the third term with a great goal in the opening 30 seconds off a couple of steps.

#32 Isla Wiencke

Her strength at the contest is what stood out the most, with Wiencke also boasting a long kick. She won heaps of the ball across the first half, and was consistently cracking in at the coalface, both laying tackles and feeding the ball out. For a stronger player, Wiencke moves well through traffic and with her power, can clear the area and put pressure on down the field.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

AFL Sydney Under 22s crushed their AFL Canberra counterparts to move to 2-1 for the series while the latter went winless. Small forward Sophie Kavanagh starred for AFL Sydney as they booted seven goals in the first three quarters then six in the last to blow out the margin from 38 points to 67 at the final siren, 13.9 (87) to 3.2 (20).

Kavanagh finished with three goals, and was named bet on ground, only bested on the scoreboard by Abbey Martin (four goals). Caitlin Fletcher and Hannah Cerezo were also named among the best in the win, as the AFL Sydney side had a stack of contributors across the board.