SYDNEY Swans Academy won a low-scoring tussle with Northern Territory to bounce back from a loss to Brisbane Lions Academy on Thursday and finish the 2026 AFLW Under 16 Championships on a high. The Swans booted two last quarter goals to come away with the win in the nick of time, defeating the Territory, 3.4 (22) to 1.5 (11).

In what was a dour struggle for the most part despite perfect conditions, credit has to go to both sets of defences which held up well at Blacktown. Booting just one goal in the first hour, the Swans conjured up two in the last quarter to run over the top of Northern Territory. The Swans kept their opponents to just one goal for the match, and in doing so ended the carnival with a 1-1 record.

The two ball-winning midfielders in Emily Hollingsworth (32 disposals, three marks, five clearances, four inside 50s and three rebound 50s) and Peggy Rock (36 disposals, five marks, 10 tackles, six clearances, eight inside 50s and five rebound 50s) both had days out and spent time opposing one another. Quin Neyland was enormous in defence once again, while up the other end, Kayla Ilett impressed for the Territory.

SWANS ACADEMY 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 3.4 (22)
NORTHERN TERRITORY 0.1 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.5 (11)

GOALS:
Swans Academy: S. Rodwell, G. Morris, E. Coughlin
Northern Territory: T. John-Forest

RMC BEST:
Swans Academy: E. Hollingsworth, Q. Neyland, L. Davidson, C. Murphy, N. Tooth
Northern Territory: P. Rock. L. May, K. Ilett, G. Anstess, M. Smith

SWANS ACADEMY:

#11 Lily Davidson (Killarney Vale Bombers)
Midfielder/Wing | 172cm | 11/05/2010

Stats: 21 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s

Davidson started on the wing and then moved inside, able to win the ball across both roles throughout the game. She spreads exceptionally well and is a key link in transition. While still able to build more strength, she applies pressure and gets into good positions in order to receive the ball and then dish off cleanly. Davidson won the first centre clearance out of the middle in quarter four.

#16 Chloe Murphy (Sawtell Toormina Saints)
Defender | 180cm | 27/08/2010

Stats: 21 disposals, 5 marks, 1 tackle, 7 rebound 50s

A composed player out of the back half, Murphy did well working alongside Neyland and Tooth to repl a lot of the Northern Territory attacks. She continually tracked the ball at ground level, and even when she could not win it, got into the right spots to defend well. Murphy took a goal-saving mark in the goalsquare during the fourth term and hit up a couple of nice pinpoint passes coming out of defence when the game was at its hottest.

#14 Emily Hollingsworth (Miranda Bombers)
Midfielder/Forward | 164cm | 04/11/2010

Stats: 32 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 behind

Stuffed the stats sheet and only got better as the game went on with a big second half and finding plenty of it all over the ground. Her work getting back behind the ball was very good, and she did have her chances as well, just missing a set shot in the final term and spraying another wide, but setting up Grace Morris with her goal. For the most part, Hollingsworth impressed on-ball, racking up the disposals at will and covering the ground to find it in all manner of ways.

#24 Quin Neyland (Cardiff Hawks)
Defender/Midfielder | 175cm | 24/06/2011

Stats: 25 disposals, 6 marks, 7 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s

Another big game from the tall defender who reads the ball in flight exceptionally well and gets into the right spots to intercept. She brings the heat both in the air and at ground level, with great follow-up work ethic, and is capable of charging out of the back half too. She can iron out her kicking a little, but she notched up 20 contested possessions in a massive performance once again.

#30 Nikki Tooth (St Ives Saints)
Defender/Forward | 172cm | 22/01/2010

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 marks, 1 tackle, 7 rebound 50s

Got to play the full game bouncing back from a knock two days earlier, and spent the the majority of the match in defence before being thrown forward to try and generate a score as an additional target inside 50. She had a chance late running into goal but pushed it wide given she was at full throttle. Her best moments stemmed from intercepting in the back half and driving the ball down the ground with booming kicks. She saved a potential goal as well with a swift rushed behind in the second term.

NORTHERN TERRITORY:

#9 Layla May (Sturt/Darwin Buffaloes)
Midfielder/Defender | 159cm | 14/05/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 1 mark, 8 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

Starting on-ball and spending time through the middle and in defence, May found her fair share of it and brought her typical pressure. She cracked in to force opposition turnovers, and has a nice balance of speed and clean hands. Still rounding out her game, but May has some exciting traits for the future.

#15 Grace Anstess (Sandringham Dragons/St Mary’s)
Midfielder/Defender | 175cm | 10/05/2010

Stats: 13 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Anstess primarily played on-ball and dropped back to assist behind the ball as well, laying plenty of tackles and adding pressure throughout the four quarters. She showed a booming kick and was quick to get boot to ball, with her versatility a big tick. Anstess was not afraid to run with ball in hand when required too.

#16 Kayla Ilett (Woodville-West Torrens/St Mary’s)
Defender | 174cm | 18/12/2009

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 5 hitouts, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 11 rebound 50s

The tall defender provided a consistent rebounding force out of the back half, thumping any forward forays back from where they came. She clunked a few really good marks and was a key reason why the Northern Territory kept the Swans Academy to just one goal in three quarters. Has set herself up for a promising SANFLW season.

#27 Peggy Rock (GWV Rebels/Nightcliff)
Midfielder | 169cm | 20/07/2009

Stats: 36 disposals, 5 marks, 10 tackles, 6 clearances, 8 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s

A massive game from the past Territory MVP and All-Australian with game-highs across most statistical areas. She ran the opposition ragged, found multiple disposals within transitional chains and continued to keep moving the ball forward. A real focal point for her side, her trademark fierce attack really stood out, and she was incredibly strong one-on-one which allowed her to out-mark and out-point a number of opponents. Worked hard throughout the four quarters.