THE SYDNEY Swans Academy has secured a Summer Series sweep, improving to 3-0 after beating the Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Giants Academy by 70 points on Sunday. A five-goal to one opening quarter set the tone in what was a dominant victory at Blacktown International Sportspark.

The Swans carried on from their fast start to continually apply scoreboard pressure, while restricting the Giants to a single goal per term at the other end. They were able to control the ball from the back or quickly flick the switch, ending up with 11 individual goalkickers against their cross-town rivals.

GIANTS ACADEMY 1.1 | 2.2 | 3.4 | 4.6 (30)
SWANS ACADEMY 5.3 | 8.5 | 11.7 | 15.10 (100)

GOALS:
Giants: T. Bourne, E. Matthews, T. McMillan, B. Ryan
Swans: C. Hardy 3, O. Clifton 2, T. Coughlin 2, L. Chambers, D. Delaney-Fielding, O. Griffiths, I. Luke, L. Macri, H. Meaney, B. Pignatelli, P. Smith

BEST:
Giants: E. Matthews, R. Mardling, B. Kane, R. Shipard, L. Roberts, B. Bugden
Swans: O. Clifton, C. Blackwell-Smith, J. Medved, H. Meaney, C. Hardy, R. Meyrick

GIANTS ACADEMY:

#5 Ethan Matthews
Midfielder/Forward | 186cm | 04/09/2008

Matthews was as dominant a player could be in a losing side during the first half, exhibiting his patented class in midfield. He was wickedly clean and efficient with ball in hand, able to hold his own as a stoppage distributor or accumulator on the outside. Time seemed to slow each time Matthews found possession, as he showed great poise to assess his options and even better vision when identifying outlets under pressure. His clever runs put him in pockets of space and he even snared a stoppage goal in the opening quarter, before spending more time forward after half time.

#10 Brody Kane
Midfielder | 182cm | 31/10/2007

Kane was once again a permanent fixture in the Giants’ midfield, which was up against a crafty opposition group. The over-ager proved his stoppage capabilities by sharking the loose ball and slipping into space, although he was often under the pump. He looked dangerous when able take metres on the outside and send the ball inside 50, which was relatively rare on a day the Giants managed only a goal per quarter.

#12 Brodi Bugden
Defender | 184cm | 29/01/2008

Somewhat of a surprise packet on the day, Bugden held up his end of the deal down back. Not only did he split packs and provide desperate defensive efforts, but also offered positive energy and intent on the rebound. Bugden took on some of the kick-in duties and looked to drive the ball forward with run-and-carry, often following up his initial disposal to continue the passage. That kind of link play was a bright spot to compliment the relentless physical acts he produced.

#15 Lucas Roberts
Midfielder/Defender | 186cm | 17/03/2008

Roberts ran out the game well with a shift to defence, where he arguably looks most comfortable. He was initially part of the midfield mix and while classy, had a hard time making best use of his disposal. A move behind the ball allowed him to get into better positions to impact the game, whether that be by intercepting, providing overlap run, or picking out targets by foot. With a bit more time and space, he showed good poise and became a more threatening playmaker.

#38 Tallis McMillan
Key Forward/Ruck | 192cm | 11/04/2007

The Giants’ talls were outgunned for the most part on Sunday, but McMillan still managed to produce some nice moments. He utilised his sizeable leap as part of the ruck rotation and was agile enough to stay involved once the ball hit the deck. The over-ager showed his aerial nous with a couple of strong marks, including one which led to his second quarter goal. McMillan’s kicking bordered on erratic in the first half, but he straightened up nicely thereafter.

Others:

The Giants’ defence was under duress for large periods of the match, which meant talls Boston Macri and Ryan Mardling absorbed plenty of pressure. Bottom-ager Aiden Henderson provided moments of spark off half-back with his patented run and dare. At the other end, Brynley Ryan dipped into his back of tricks with moments of agility and smarts, while Tom Wichman‘s creative kicking was handy. He also got a run in midfield, where Ryan Shipard was typically competitive.

SWANS ACADEMY:

#8 Patrick Smith
Midfielder | 187cm | 07/05/2008

Smith made a promising start to proceedings, slamming home a goal on the run to help set the tone for his side’s win. He often looked to shark the ball on the move at stoppages and timed his runs well on the outside, providing positive overlap run. Smith backed his agility to take on opponents and wasn’t afraid to bide his time in possession, although sometimes held on a little too long and was duly caught. Still, at his best, he proved to be a daring line-breaker who queried the opposition.

#10 Conrad Blackwell-Smith
Midfielder | 179cm | 23/10/2008

Accumulating possessions at will, Blackwell-Smith seemed to be everywhere at times on Sunday. He wasn’t afraid to take contact in the cut and thrust of stoppage play, capably winning his own ball while shutting down the opposition. The top-ager also proved to be quite agile and drove his legs when given space, which allowed his short kicking to come into play. Undoubtedly Blackwell-Smith’s best moment came in the second quarter as he produced a huge double effort to spoil and recover the ball, before hitting up Oliver Griffiths for a goal assist.

#18 Henry Meaney
Midfielder/Forward | 184cm | 23/08/2008

The Swans’ midfield got on top early and Meaney took toll throughout the day. His ability to drift forward saw him get involved in several scoring chains, including a couple of terrific passes inside 50 during the final term. Meaney also slotted a set shot in the third quarter, as that front half influence complimented his on-ball craft. With clean hands and a deft side-step, he often found himself bursting from congestion as an effective in-to-out distributor.

#22 Jake Medved
Defender | 191cm | 02/06/2008

Owner of a scintillating 20m time, Medved showcased his speed in a more consistent outing on Sunday. He used his athleticism to drive the ball forward in bursts, often charging off on the rebound and looking lively in full flight. Medved was also a brick wall down back, chasing up loose balls with good aggression and racking up plenty of the ball alongside Alex Norris. Whether situated deep or high, he found a way to impact the game going both ways.

#23 Guy Jenkin
Defender | 177cm | 25/11/2008

After slotting into the side as a forward last week, Jenkin was swung to defence in the absence of his twin brother, Will. He took on similar playmaking duties, getting into position to overlap while also covering off the last line. He made good reads to intercept and was always there when teammates looked for him as a switch option, which then allowed the Swans to head forward. On the back of an interrupted preseason, he was particularly prominent in the first half.

#34 Oscar Clifton
Ruck | 198cm | 28/10/2007

Clifton had claims on being best afield as the most dominant key position player out there. Starting in the ruck, he imposed himself with terrific bodywork to outmanoeuvre his taller opponent, often taking possession and clearing the ball himself. His ability to push off and do so with ease caught the eye, along with how he kept his feet to follow up at ground level. Clifton was also a marking presence up forward and booted two goals before swinging to defence in the second half, where his mobility and foot skills continued to impress. It was a truly well-rounded game.

#35 Will Morahan
Key Defender | 193cm | 17/05/2007

Building off a base of solid defensive acts, Morahan also provided impetus to the Swans’ transitional play. He is deceptively quick for a tall and wasn’t afraid to prove it, often looking to attack with ball in hand by taking metres. The over-ager looked increasingly confident when doing so and it played into his authoritative intercept work, peeling away to cut off the ball both high and deep in defence.

Others:

Ricky Meyrick was once again terrific in midfield, laying tackles and winning his own ball with a clean set of hands. The likes of Alex Norris and Cody Beavis helped hold down the defensive fort, playing into a high-possession style as the Swans chipped a way forward. At the other end, diminutive goalsneak Levi Macri was creative and skilful as usual, while fellow bottom-ager Coen Hardy showed promise with three goals as a rotating key forward/ruck.