SYDNEY Swans Academy took out the 2026 Under 22 Women’s Summer Series title with a perfect record in the round-robin after defeating GWS Giants Academy by 45 points on the weekend. Both teams entered the match undefeated, but it was the red and white side that emerged victorious thanks to eight goals to two in the second half. We took note of some of the better players from the respective sides.

Below are our scouting notes from the two contests, with all notes the opinion of the individual author.

GIANTS ACADEMY:

#9 Georgia Patterson
Forward/Wing | 166cm | 26/12/2008

The smart forward finished off her summer series in style with another really solid four-quarter performance. Though she didn’t kick a goal in the game, consistently looked dangerous and plays that high half-forward/wing role well. Her smarts and vision help her to set up teammates and she even almost got reward for effort in the dying minutes trying to get boot to ball running back to goal under pressure. One of the better Giants across the three games.

#12 Ariella Paterson
Wing/Forward | 170cm | 22/11/2008

Has been thereabouts through the series and her bookended matches were the standouts, with Paterson booting two goals in a similar role to her namesake. She worked up to half-back at different points and backed herself to burst away, but her best work was done in the second half where she kicked two classy goals while still under pressure, including one off a step to answer an early Swans major in the fourth term.

#22 Darcie Prosser-Shaw
Midfielder | 171cm | 02/06/2008

Played a key role through the middle and was involved in plenty, with a number of Swans looking to rile her up at different points. Aside from her push on Tidemann at the top of defensive 50 – which resulted in a 50m penalty and subsequent goal to the Swans – Prosser-Shaw had a consistent game throughout. She can sometimes rush with ball in hand, but her athleticism and ability to cover the ground, as well as find the ball in all thirds, are big ticks in her game, and she would be among the top five Giants across the three games.

#23 Sophia Gaukrodger
Midfielder | 173cm | 16/01/2007

All things being equal, Gaukrodger was the standout Giant from the carnival, and was one of the more unlucky players to miss out on being drafted last season. She does it all around the ball, and can push forward and hit the scoreboard too. Though she did not kick a major in game three, she set up numerous scoring chances, breaking from stoppages and hitting up targets inside 50, while also showing clean hands and good strength when tackled to handball the ball away cleanly. Involved in just about everything and was once more a standout for the orange team.

#30 Morgan Stevens
Wing/Defender | 177cm | 13/08/2008

While Stevens has spent the bulk of her time playing wing, she plays that defensive wing role well as her high-speed running enables her to get back to the defensive zone and often intercept or be an option deep in the backline. Stevens uses the ball well and takes grass whenever she can, with her two-way running and strength one-on-one both big ticks, and her improvement in her game still to come through her endurance. She does not waste too many touches and generally makes good decisions as well.

#33 Zara Neil
Midfielder | 169cm | 09/03/2008

A reliable, strong midfielder who complemented the likes of Prosser-Shaw and Gaukrodger well, Neil stands up in tackles and releases by hand, but is also not afraid to step around an opponent to boot the ball forward. She competes well in the air, and while there are still some fundamental areas to build upon going forward, she is a smart stoppage player who had a nice carnival.

#37 Lauren O’Sullivan
Tall Defender/Forward | 171cm | 17/04/2008

The top-age utility started the game in defence, and while at times she turned the ball over early, was terrific in intercepting the ball time and time again. At different points she would get aggressive and drive it out of the back 50 from a higher line, though often she would be deeper in some of the most difficult situations. Was thrown forward in the last quarter switching with Majella Day, and even had a quick snap on goal but it went well wide.

SWANS ACADEMY:

#1 Charlotte Tidemann
Midfielder/Defender | 169cm | 08/08/2008

The National Academy member started on-ball and then rotated to half-back where she provided plenty of dare and dash out of defence. She paired up well with teammates further afield, often finding Bowie, Walsh of Russell to link-up with and keep the ball moving in transition. Managed to earn a 50m penalty for Haley when exchanging pleasantries with Prosser-Shaw, and from a whole game, was impressive and had her moments. Once she had space in front of her, really gave the opposition some headaches.

#2 Evie Bowie
Midfielder/Forward | 170cm | 31/12/2008

Has looked comfortable on-ball for the Swans during the series and got even more time with Heidi de Saxe missing through an ankle injury. Bowie moves well through traffic, is clean and effective with ball in hand and competes overhead too. While most of her best work was done at the stoppage, she does find space around the front half and can turn her possessions into scoring chances for her teammates.

#3 Frances Walsh
Wing/Defender | 173cm | 30/01/2008

The Swans skipper covers the ground so exceptionally well with a nice balance of speed-endurance in her game. While her defensive attributes which include mopping up and tackling really stand out, her finishing on goal is as classy as anyone else’s. She is one of those players who when she is within goalscoring range, it is almost put your glasses down as she is such a balanced finisher. Could be a touch cleaner at ground level, but once she has the ball can use both sides of her body, particularly by hand.

#8 Grace Parsons
Forward | 180cm | 10/12/2007

The over-ager finished the game with two majors including one in the fourth term from a free kick that would have gone to Savala. Usually a great set shot, Parsons missed an early chance, but soon won it back and then set up a goal by hand. Her aerial work as a whole looked good, and while her follow-up ground work can still develop further, she has a great set shot routine and is a long kick as well.

#10 Aurelia Russell
Forward/Midfielder | 160cm | 03/12/2008

Arguably the most impressive player from the series outside the array of known prospects, with the top-ager really showing a stack of talent. Though only 160cm, the talented forward/midfielder has been the most dominant AFL Hunter Central Coast player for her age group the last couple of seasons. Last year we saw Alex Neyland breakout through this series, and Russell has the speed, smarts, vision and athleticism that ticks a stack of boxes.

#15 Emma Haley
Midfielder/Forward | 160cm | 15/10/2008

Once again found her way onto the scoreboard with a couple of majors rotating between midfield and attack. Both goals came from close range, but one was a clever snap across her body, while the other was from a 50m penalty brought to within 15m. Her movement through traffic was very good, and she showed clean hands throughout the contest, even giving a fend-off at one point. Like Russell is only 160cm, but her movement and execution helps her be a damaging player. Another one who has stepped up in the absence of de Saxe.

#16 Lolita Savala
Key Forward | 182cm | 21/04/2009

Unfortunately came off the ground late after being winded in a ruck contest against Day which could have yielded her a third goal. However with two majors to her name – and a miss from close range she should have nailed – Savala had an important game. She presents well and is mobile for a player of her size, getting into good spots to either mark or hav e a ping at the big sticks. Her finishing at times can be a little hit or miss, but she is one of a number of Swans targets who can go herself or set up her teammates.

#18 Ashleigh Barlow
Tall Defender | 174cm | 06/06/2008

Our best on ground in the win because Barlow was able to shut down Day, the Giants’ most dangerous player. She kept her to just one major and after Day moved to defence, Barlow spent time on O’Sullivan. Her one-on-one work was great, she harassed and continually applied pressure, while also frustrating the Giants attack. Her hands were strong, she read the ball well and showed she could also provide some drive out of the back 50 as well as her negating role. At 174cm, Barlow can play on a variety of opponents and was huge in the win.

#25 Ava Horneman
Tall Forward | 175cm | 12/11/2008

The leading goalkicker in the game and one who stood up as a key target inside 50 among a stack of talls who can mark overhead. Horneman kicked three goals and missed three more she could have kicked, which would have made it a huge day out. The biggest threat inside 50, Horneman’s hands were great, and she caused plenty of headaches for the Giants defence. Her field kicking proved reliable as well, and she pushed up teh ground to deliver the last kick at times.

#26 Jordan Davis
Tall Forward | 178cm | 10/12/2008

The Sydney and Collingwood father-daughter was a key link in the chain between the midfield and forward, and while she played that high half-forward role, used her nice footskills to hit up targets going forward. She kicked a goal herself off the back of creating space with a sidestep, and set up both Horneman and Parsons at different points. Rotated into the ruck at one point, and while that won’t be her go long-term, can be a bigger body around the stoppages if required.

#27 Amaia Wain
Ruck/Forward | 180cm | 31/08/2007

Has been the clear standout ruck all carnival and game three was no different even against slightly more athleticially challenging opponents. Wain is on a different level when it comes to her vertical jump, and with an overall athletic base that includes speed and endurance, Wain works over opponents and gets involved all over the field. Her second and third efforts after a contest really stand out, and at one point she applied a smother and then laid a tackle. Her groundballs could be an improvement, but she presents well and always gets first hands to it.