SYDNEY Swans Academy won the 2024 AFL Under 16s Pool B title after being the sole undefeated side throughout the three-game series, with a 13-point win over Tasmania. In what was an epic conclusion to the national championships, the sides traded blows across the first three quarters as they kicked a combined 8.13, before piling on 7.2 in the final term alone.

Both the Swans and Tasmania had accounted for Northern Territory, with Sydney also defeating the Giants Academy and the boys from the Apple Isle knocking off the Lions Academy to make it a virtual grand final on the last day of the carnival.

After Tasmania drew within seven points at the 15-minute mark of the final term, goals to Nathaniel Newman and North Melbourne father-son prospect Aidan McCartney (Jason, 107 games) sealed the game. Highly touted Tasmanian tall Charlie Bovill did kick a consolation goal with a minute to play to cut the final margin down to 13 points, but it was not enough.

TASMANIA 1.1 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 7.4 (46)
SWANS ACADEMY 2.4 | 3.6 | 4.11 | 8.11 (59)

GOALS:
Tasmania: B. Philpott 3, J. Bula M. Whitney, R. Stewart, C. Bovill
Swans Academy:  B. Pignatelli 2, N. Newman 2, H. Meaney, L. Titmuss, J. O’Loughlin, A. McCartney

BEST:

Tasmania: B. Speed, R. Bugg, H. McCallum, R. Walters, C. Bovill
Swans Academy: G. Jenkin. L. Titmuss, L. Price, W. Jenkin, E. Blackwell-Smith

TASMANIA:

#1 Riley Walters
Wing/Forward | 175cm | 04/07/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 5 tackles, 3 rebound 50s

After kicking three goals last game, Walters did not quite have as much luck in front of the big sticks, registering just the one behind from a flying snap at the 15-minute mark of the final term. Had that gone through the deficit would have just been two points, but he contributed in his own way across the ground finding plenty of the ball. One moment that stood out was a courageous mark under a high ball in the second term.

#3 Hugh McCallum
Wing | 174cm | 10/08/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 6 marks, 4 rebound 50s

The classy winger once against found himself among the Tasmanian bests and covers a lot of ground not just between the arcs, but to get deep at both ends. He holds a strong line and covers the corridor well, taking a couple of marks at centre half-forward then looking for short passes within the 50m. Had a shot on goal from long range in the second term that went wide, but otherwise did his best finding space around the ground and utilising his run.

#14 Archie Devine
Midfielder | 180cm | 13/02/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 4 clearances, 4 rebound 50s

After a huge half of 12 disposals, the Tasmanian midfielder faded out of it as the Swans Academy players got their hands on the ball after that. His work at the centre stoppage in the first half had been paramount to Tasmania clearing congestion, winning three centre bounce clearances. However further converting those into inside 50 entries was where the Apple Isle struggled. Still, Devine had a really solid carnival across the board.

#17 Ryder Bugg
Midfielder | 174cm | 22/05/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 6 inside 50s

One of Tasmania’s best across the three games and once again in the final game, Bugg just catches the eye with the way he is creative. After a quiet first term, he stepped it up in the second quarter, and finished as one of his state’s top three ball-winners. Can get ball to boot quickly and shows great vision, and while his efficiency in this game was down, it was a lot to do with the strength of the Sydney defence understanding the inside 50 entries.

#25 Charlie Bovill
Tall Defender/Forward | 192cm | 30/03/2008

Stats: 9 disposals, 3 marks, 1 goal

While his name shot into the future draft space with a massive game for Tasmania Devils in the Coates Talent League, the versatile tall showed he can just as easily play in defence too. He was once again utilised at both ends, kicking the final consolation goal, but had been a strong intercepting presence in the back 50. Works up the ground and has safe hands, one to keep in mind for a couple of years.

#26 Brodie Speed
Midfielder/Forward | 178cm | 02/05/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 4 clearances

Aside from a quiet third term, Speed was one of the best across the ground, having a number of notable moments. His run-down tackle in the second term was fantastic, though letting his opponent know about it saw a free reversal – rather unluckily to be honest – but he did it again in the third term. That appropriate trait for his name, Speed can fly for some big grabs despite his 178cm frame and is generally good off the deck. He spent time in the midfield as well and has a strong aggressive streak. His efficiency could further improve, but has some exciting traits.

#27 Blake Philpott
Forward | 183cm | 02/01/2008

Stats: 8 disposals, 6 marks, 2 hitouts, 3 goals

The main target up forward for the Tasmanians and provided them with a consistent source of goals as he slotted majors in the first, second and fourth quarters. His presence in the air really stood out and while he has the smarts to win it on the lead, also can get it done in a one-on-one which considering he is not a tall forward by any means, is important. When he came out on the wing after a nice leap he produced a lovely weighted field kick too. All five kicks were effective, and had three contested marks as part of his total six grabs.

SWANS ACADEMY:

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

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 marks, 4 inside 50s

Blackwell-Smith won his side’s MVP across the carnival and contributed his fair share across the third match yesterday. He looked lively, ran hard and was a player who could link up across the ground. Not a massive clearance winner, he can be that second possession player who keeps the ball moving in transition, and his work rate in particular stood out. Was clean by hand too.

#14 William Jenkin
Defender | 174cm | 25/11/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 6 marks, 4 inside 50s

A clean and tidy outside ball user, Jenkin played almost exclusively off half-back compared to the wing where his twin brother was situated. He still found plenty of the ball in the first half when the Swans had to survive a Tasmanian attack, before having less to do in the second half. He used the pill well, operating at 82.3 per cent disposal efficiency, though 15 of his 17 possessions were uncontested. Jenkin is capable of both intercepting, taking a mark in space and running past for the handball receive, with his ability to break the lines helpful in upsetting the opposition’s structures.

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

Stats: 27 disposals, 4 marks, 7 tackles, 4 clearances

Had more touches than anyone else on the field, and just kept trying hard all game. One of a number of smaller midfielders at the Swans, Price throws his weight around to give as good as he gets with the 176cm onballer laying an equal game-high seven tackles in the match. ‘Buzzing around’ is arguably the best way to describe Price, as he just kept being in the right spots to win the ball and was quick to rack up the touches and quickly pass it off. His handball-to-kick ratio was a touch lopsided, but he won his disposals both at the coalface, and then often looked to extract the ball when under pressure in handball chains.

#18 Leon Titmuss
Midfielder | 174cm | 07/03/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

Though he has played forward at different points in the carnival, Titmuss was thrown into the midfield essentially full-time, and found his fair share of the ball. Though he did not win a clearance in the game, he was still among the Swans’ best because of his decision making and impact. His vision to put the ball into the right spots was noticeable, and after kicking a goal of his own running hard to mark uncontested inside 50, he set up the winning goal with a fast pumping ball forward. An impact player with upside.

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

Stats: 24 disposals, 7 marks, 7 tackles, 5 inside 50s

On his regular wing, Jenkin had a field game and arguably finished best afield in the game. Like his brother was predominantly outside, but added an extra number around the stoppages at times, finishing with a 33 per cent contested rate and 75 per cent disposal efficiency. Jenkin always looked busy and kept bobbing up throughout the four quarters with his impact-per-possession quite high. He spread well and when not on the outside moved into the corridor to be an outlet for a switch, always involved in forward transitions which enabled his side to get on the front foot.

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

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 marks, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s

Smith had a few nice moments throughout the game and ran hard on the outside, while occasionally going into stoppages. He predominantly provided hard running off half-back and got to the outside to win the pill, getting a chance for a flying shot in the first term pushing right up the ground. He did set up a late chance to James O’Loughlin in the first quarter and finished the match with a handy contribution.

#30 Benjamin Pignatelli
Forward | 186cm | 14/03/2008

Stats: 10 disposals, 3 marks, 4 inside 50s, 2 goals

Provided a spark for the Swans early in the game, kicking two first half goals to keep the score ticking over. His first came after running hard back towards goal to mark and convert the set shot from 15m, before kicking a ripping goal from close to the boundary for his second goal of the contest. A booming left-footer, Pignatelli looked dangerous as that medium forward, and generally used the ball well, hitting all five kicks and finishing with an 80 per cent disposal efficiency and clunking a contested mark.

#31 Oliver Griffiths
Forward/Ruck | 186cm | 05/04/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 19 hitouts, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s

Boasting a great vertical leap and competitive nature, he loomed as a threatening target in the front half and through the ruck. He had a few chances on goal that went wide, but when looking to deliver inside 50 without pressure did tend to lower the eyes. Went alright throughout the course of the match not just as a marking target but at the stoppages, working hard below his knees to win a few loose balls and split his contested and uncontested possessions evenly.