SYDNEY Swans Academy kicked off the 2025 Summer Series in style, running out 38-point victors over the AFL Canberra Under 22s on Saturday. After posting five goals to one in the first half, the Swans were challenged but came home strongly with three unanswered majors in the final term to seal the result.

Top prospects Noah Chamberlain and Max King both took the field for a talented Bloods Under 18 outfit, starting in the same forward 50. The Swans were missing National Academy member Lachlan Carmichael, but fielded a bunch of bottom-agers from last year’s Under 16 title-winning team.

We took note of the Swans’ leading prospects on Saturday, with notes on the GWS Giants Academy and AFL Sydney clash to come tomorrow. The Summer Series continues for the second of three rounds on Saturday March 8 as the Swans take on AFL Sydney’s Under 22 side in Blacktown.

SWANS ACADEMY U18 2.2 | 5.3 | 6.5 | 9.9 (63)
AFL CANBERRA U22 0.2 | 1.5 | 3.5 | 3.7 (25)

GOALS:
Swans Academy U18: H. Meaney 2, G. Jenkin 2, M. King, N. Chamberlain, L. Titmuss, L. Chambers, J. O’Loughlin
AFL Canberra U22: C. Terry, L. Hurse, W. Axelby

SCOUTING NOTES

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

While relatively lightly framed, Jenkin looked lively in tight spots and navigated his way out of defensive 50 stoppages with clean hands and sharp agility. He was effective when handballing to release teammates quickly, able to either fold in on the contest or hold his width. Jenkin then became an outlet as Sydney looked to move the ball end-to-end, operating high out of the backline and along the wing.

#14 Kaiden McNamara
Defender | 186cm | 26/04/2007

McNamara was arguably Sydney’s most versatile asset in defence on Saturday. He was the designated kick-in taker and often looked to drill his passes, though had a couple of near-costly moments coming out of the back 50. The top-ager otherwise attacked an intercept mark nicely in the opening stages and wore contact well. He could be seen playing both deep and high before getting a run at the centre bounces in term four, where he had little trouble winning his own ball.

>> Preseason Q&As: Kaiden McNamara | Noah Chamberlain

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

Much like his twin brother, Guy Jenkin featured prominently on the outside and punched above his weight. The wingman was clean at ground level and impressed with his ability to accumulate as a link player between the arcs. Jenkin also got stuck in with a pair of holding-the-ball tackles to highlight his competitiveness, and booted two goals on the end of free kicks.

#30 Noah Chamberlain
Key Forward | 192cm | 21/03/2007

Chamberlain only got on the board with one goal but played an important role in connecting the field for Sydney. He was his usual self in an effort sense; searching high up the ground to assist transitions, throwing himself into aerial contests, and following up with pressure acts. Chamberlain was typically gutsy overhead and showcased his pace with an exciting four-bounce run along the wing, only to lose a handle on the ball at full tilt. A 50m set shot which hit the post was another ‘almost’ moment for the star prospect, whose lone goal was a right-foot snap in the second quarter.

>> AFL Draft: Race to #1 – Noah Chamberlain

#33 Max King
Forward/Midfielder | 191cm | 09/01/2007

Having missed a bunch of football last year through injury, King was made to blow out a few cobwebs but still showed glimpses of his mercurial talent. Starting up forward, he had an early fly and went on to kick the game’s opening goal from a 50m penalty. The utility went on to have several more chances on goal throughout the day, even as he shifted into midfield. He was robbed of a spectacular effort in term four having taken the loose ball, exploded away with a blind turn and set sail from 50m, only for Lincoln Chambers to mark on the goal line. Kicking, particularly on the run, remains an improvement area.

>> AFL Draft: Race to #1 – Max King

OTHERS:

The likes of Louis Jans and Ned Hardman were right in the thick of things through midfield, both adding a hard edge to Sydney’s play. Lachlan Price also featured at the centre bounces and had little trouble racking up possessions, while ruck Oscar Clifton showed some nice signs on the follow-up.

Elsewhere, Leon Titmuss made some noticeably brave efforts up forward and kicked a goal in the second quarter, while Henry Meaney booted two for the match. William Morahan and Ben Pignatelli combined well down back, and Harry Kyle took a couple of impressive grabs in the third term.

SUMMER SERIES FIXTURES

ROUND 1:

AFL Canberra U22 3.7 (25) def. by Swans U18 Academy 9.9 (63)
Giants Academy U18 2.10 (22) def. by AFL Sydney U22 12.11 (83)

ROUND 2:

AFL Canberra U22 vs. Giants Academy U18
Saturday March 8, 12:40pm @ Alan Ray Oval

AFL Sydney U22 vs. Swans Academy U18
Saturday March 8, 1:40pm @ Blacktown ISP

ROUND 3:

Giants Academy U18 vs. Swans Academy U18
Saturday March 15, 4:00pm @ Blacktown ISP