THE SYDNEY Swans Academy opened its 2024 AFL Under 16 National Championships with a 16-point victory over the Giants Academy at Manuka Oval on Saturday. In a see-sawing contest, the Swans kicked 3.3 in three of the four quarters and ran out the better side to win 10.9 (69) to 7.11 (53).

Sydney dominated the opening quarter territory battle and built a 20-point head start, but the Giants hit back to take a one-point lead at half time. It took the Swans under two minutes to reclaim the ascendancy in term three and they never looked back, holding firm to take home bragging rights.

GIANTS ACADEMY 1.1 | 4.4 | 5.7 | 7.11 (53)
SWANS ACADEMY 3.3 | 4.3 | 7.6 | 10.9 (69)

GOALS:
Giants: H. Bronson, I. Daley, B. Edwards, B. Hilton, T. Longmire, M. MacDonald, T. Winchman
Swans: A. McCartney 3, L. Chambers 2, G. Jenkin, M. McGroder, H. Meaney, N. Newman, J. O’Loughlin

BEST:
Giants: B. Latanis, B. Hilton, J. Steele, T. Wichman, M. MacDonald, L. Roberts
Swans: M. McGroder, C. Blackwell-Smith, P. Smith, C. Beavis, L. Price, T. Coughlin

GWS GIANTS ACADEMY:

#9 Tom Wichman
Forward | 175cm | 15/04/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 5 marks, 1 goal

Wichman’s work rate as a high forward was exceptional, as he advanced beyond the forward 50 arc into good leading lanes to help the Giants’ transitions flow. He would often swing onto his favoured left foot and looked inboard for options, moving the ball on quickly. Wichman bagged a goal at the start of term two and later set up Tex Longmire after laying a holding-the-ball tackle.

#12 Jaxon Steele
Defender | 178cm | 04/01/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks, 6 rebound 50s

An outlet across half-back, Steele got into all the right spots to help his side win back possession and get going on the rebound. He was the most prolific of the Giants’ defenders with 18 disposals and 12 uncontested possessions, moving the ball on smoothly by hand and foot. Steele also held up in the contest when required, staying upright and hitting targets despite oncoming pressure.

#29 Tex Longmire
Forward | 183cm | 16/10/2008

Stats: 7 disposals, 3 marks, 1 goal

His numbers may not jump off the page but Longmire looks a likely type. The forward was dangerous inside 50, causing headaches with his movement and creativity. Longmire had a purple patch with five of his seven touches coming in the second quarter, where he booted a goal to give GWS the half time lead. In the fourth term, he set up Matthew MacDonald for a major with poise.

#30 Bailey-Dean Latanis
Forward | 182cm | 07/12/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 tackles, 8 inside 50s

An over-ager in this category, Latanis started forward and eventually got a run further afield. He looked most dangerous when dashing through the corridor, taking off quickly and backing his speed to burn off opponents. That kind of explosive streak was imperative to Latanis’ ability to frequently take the game on and launch attacks for the Giants. He ended as his side’s leading disposal getter.

#34 Lucas Roberts
Defender | 185cm | 17/03/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 6 marks, 3 inside 50s

Roberts earned All-Australian honours at last year’s SSA U15 carnival, so comes into his U16 campaign as a highly touted talent. He set up expertly behind the ball, taking six marks overall with several of them being composed intercepts. The defender read the play well off a high line and while his kicking was awkward at times, he reliably locked the ball in the Giants’ attacking half.

#48 Harper Bromson
Key Forward | 191cm | 26/03/2007

Stats: 10 disposals, 6 marks, 1 goal

Another 2007-born player in the Giants squad, Bromson also featured at last year’s Under 16 championships. He showed some promising signs as a tall forward on Saturday, presenting up the ground and taking marks with good extension overhead. Bromson was a little fumbly at ground level and could have converted his chances better, but made himself an option with great movement.

#50 Jonah Korsten
Key Forward/Ruck | 193cm | 26/05/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 marks, 1 goal

Korsten put up strong numbers for a tall, having little trouble finding the ball at the contest and around the ground. He started up forward and provided a chop-out in the ruck, getting on his bike to provide a marking outlet before following up at ground level. Korsten had three shots on goal, converting one of two conventional set shots and putting a snap wide.

SYDNEY SWANS ACADEMY:

#11 Conrad Blackwell-Smith
Midfielder | 177cm | 23/10/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 11 tackles, 5 inside 50s

Blackwell-Smith led all comers with 22 disposals, but also stuck in to do the tough stuff with 11 tackles in a well-rounded outing. The midfielder was strong at the contest and made repeat efforts to not only prise possession, but lock up opposition ball winners. His kicking was quite scrappy at times but Blackwell-Smith brought others into the game and often followed up his initial work.

#16 Lachlan Price
Midfielder | 176cm | 11/08/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks, 3 clearances

A midfielder who was also able to find possessions around the ground, Price had a big start with eight disposals in the first quarter. He ran through stoppages with good power to win the ball and was also strong in the expanses with solid overhead marking. Much like Blackwell-Smith, he balanced his work well between the inside and outside, and attack and defence.

#20 Guy Jenkin
Wing | 174cm | 25/11/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 marks, 1 goal

Playing on the opposite wing to twin brother William, Guy Jenkin had less of the ball but played his role quite well. He was able to hold his width and provide hard running on the attack, while also tracking back or folding in on the contest when required. His ball use could have been a bit sharper but for an outside player, Jenkin was not afraid to have a go when his number was called.

#21 Patrick Smith
Defender | 180cm | 07/05/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 8 marks, 3 rebound 50s

A smooth mover out of defence, Smith constantly took the game on and added flair to the Swans’ transitional play. He was aggressive on the overlap and timed his runs well, streaming forward at speed and taking every opportunity to catch the opposition unawares. Smith racked up 16 uncontested possessions and was an asset with his ability to connect the lines.

#29 Cody Beavis
Defender | 187cm | 11/08/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 marks, 9 rebound 50s

One of the Swans’ defensive rocks, all 12 of Beavis’ disposals were kicks and around half of them came from restarts. While sporting a somewhat awkward kicking style, he was largely efficient and breached the defensive 50 arc with frequency in open play. Beavis also chimed in with some relieving intercept marks on the last line and held his nerve quite well under oncoming pressure.

#35 Aidan McCartney
Key Forward | 190cm | 04/11/2008

Stats: 10 disposals, 4 marks, 3 goals

The son of three-club champion Jason, who is currently GWS’ football manager, Aidan McCartney is also father-son eligible for North Melbourne in 2026. He served as the Swans’ main target up forward and booted a game-high three goals, looking unstoppable in the air at times. McCartney took a series of super plucks, was mobile on the lead, and converted his chances over the mark.

#38 Mason McGroder
Ruck | 191cm | 18/09/2008

Stats: 8 disposals, 13 hitouts, 5 clearances, 1 goal

One of the most exciting prospects out of the match, McGroder produced what will likely be the goal of the carnival. He grabbed the ball out of the ruck at half-back, took off with three running bounces through the corridor, side-stepped an opponent and slammed the ball home from 50m. The 191cm talent hails from a high level track and field background and utilised his athleticism to take the game on, moving unbelievably well for a ruck. He’s imposing, but still very raw.