SYDNEY Swans Academy has claimed the NSW/ACT Women’s Under 22 Summer Series last weekend after remaining undefeated across their three matches. Coming into the ultimate decider against the Giants Academy after both sides accounted for AFL Sydney and AFL Canberra’s Under 22s, it was the red and white that rolled the orange team by seven goals to take out the title.

RESULTS:

Swans Academy 19.12 (126) defeated AFL Canberra Under 22s 1.1 (7)
Giants Academy 7.8 (50) defeated AFL Sydney Under 22s 3.6 (24)
Giants Academy 11.17 (83) defeated AFL Canberra 1.1 (7)
Swans Academy 3.10 (28) defeated AFL Sydney Under 22s 2.3 (15)
Swans Academy 13.13 (91) defeated Giants Academy 6.3 (39)

TOP-AGE PLAYERS WHO IMPRESSED:

Madeleine Quinn (Swans Academy)
Ruck | 187cm | 10/02/2007

The top prospect from the Swans Academy, Quinn showed off her athleticism across the three games to really dominate her opponents. Already towering over them, she can jump and run far better than her size may suggest, and she is not afraid to get her hands dirty as well. Is one of the top ruck prospects in this year’s draft, and the pick of the pure rucks. Can find the ball and rove at ground level, or get involved in transition like a “fourth midfielder”.

Isla Wiencke (Giants Academy)
Midfielder/Forward | 174cm | 30/03/2007

A powerfully-built midfielder who can also play inside 50, Wiencke was the shining light of the Giants’ top-agers through the carnival. A National Academy member alongside Quinn, Wiencke already has Allies experience and won the team’s MVP at last year’s carnival as a bottom-ager. Is a natural ball-winner who possesses a thumping kick and can set up other teammates for scores as well. Will be a key player for the Allies this season.

Alex Neyland (Swans Academy)
Tall Forward | 178cm | 04/09/2007

Remember the name. Neyland is an athletic forward with a great vertical leap and can do the impossible at times. She clunks big grabs, can kick long-range goals off a step and oozes X-factor any time she goes near it. Neyland is still raw and does make the odd error but she is one of those players that can do things that few others can, and at 178cm she has plenty of potential to come. Kicked three goals on the weekend to continue her outstanding form from the carnival.

Kiera Yerbury (Swans Academy)
Midfielder/Forward | 172cm | 24/07/2007

A high-upside talent with some moves that catch the eye, Yerbury can slot into a midfield or inside 50. She takes the game on and always looks dangerous, while going forward and able to hold space well and stand up high balls to mark. She had a few chances on the weekend that did not always perfectly come off, but she set up numerous scores with her transitional running. Will only get better with time and a good size for an inside midfielder with athleticism.

Molly Thomas (Swans Academy)
Midfielder/Forward | 170cm | 22/04/2007

Thomas showed some promise for the future with a nice left foot that could be penetrating and do some damage. She can win clearances starting on-ball or go forward and clunk some good marks. Developing some consistency but could be one to watch throughout the course of the year given she has some impressive draftable qualities.

Grace Parsons (Swans Academy)
Key Forward | 182cm | 10/12/2007

Though she missed the game against the Giants Academy, Parson proved to be a key target inside 50 against AFL Canberra, with great athleticism for a player of 182cm and looms as a seriously high-upside talent. She can pinch-hit in the ruck if required, but her contested marking and set shot kicking is where she can do the most damage.

Sophia Gaukrodger (Giants Academy)
Forward | 173cm | 16/01/2007

The next most consistent Giants prospect after Wiencke from the top-agers, Gaukrodger was consistent in her work getting up the ground then pushing hard forward to hit the scoreboard. She seemed to find her fair share of the ball against the Swans, and popped up when required. It was not the easiest day to be a forward for the orange team, but she has good size and can compete in the air and at ground level.

SECOND CHANCE SALOON

There were a number of over-age players who put their hand up to clubs looking for injury replacements over the next few months. The ultra-athletic Amelie Prosser-Shaw was the pick of the bunch, exploding often from half-back and taking the game on down the ground. She has genuine claims to be in AFLW Draft contention with her athletic traits and versatility.

From the Swans, Emma Juneja was a National Academy member last year and should be around the mark as an over-ager again. Predominantly a wing, she covers the ground well, is strong overhead and her defensive running is as good as anyone her age.

She and fellow attacking talent Ellie Veerhuis are both prospects who earned Combine invites last year and again impressed through the carnival. Both Ella Parker and Ellie Hall also had their moments with Parker having a day out in front of goal against AFL Canberra in game one.

FUTURE STARS

Boasting no shortage of talent in the 2008 crop and beyond, fans got a taste of what is to come for 2026. Sydney Swans Academy speedster Charlotte Tidemann looms as potentially the one at the front of the line with her incredible explosiveness to turn defence into offence. Georgia Patterson stood up in some big moments across the forward 50 for the Giants, while Darcie Prosser-Shaw and Mia Cooper are right up there with the best NSW/ACT prospects. Prosser-Shaw won the Giants’ MVP award at last year’s Under 16s title.

WHERE TO FROM HERE?

The Swans and Giants Academies will head to the Coates Talent League Girls competitions where they will play four matches in April to May. From there, the Allies squad will be finalised for the National Championships. Alongside the Academy games, the AFL Sydney and AFL Canberra competitions will kick off for the young guns to return to their local clubs, while for Quinn and Wiencke, a National Academy game also takes place next month.