THE GOLD Coast Suns Academy continued its winning run at the Under 16 National Championships on Monday, defeating the Sydney Swans Academy by 24 points at People First Stadium. After a cagey opening half, things opened up in term three but the Suns remained ahead at every break and kicked away late to salute by a game-high margin. The result sets up a Pool B ‘grand final’ on Thursday between the undefeated Suns and Giants.

SUNS ACADEMY 2.2 | 3.4 | 7.6 | 9.10 (64)
SWANS ACADEMY 2.1 | 2.3 | 5.4 | 6.4 (40)

GOALS:
Suns Academy: J. Moir 2, L. Robinson 2, H. Cloke, K. Jorgensen, K. Mundy, C. Samuelson, J. Vack
Swans Academy: H. Hawes 2, N. Keam, R. Micheletti, O. Sheridan, O. Trickey

BEST:
Suns Academy: P. Fitzgibbon, F. Vincent, T. Larkins, K.Mundy, C. Samuelson, Z. Bugeja
Swans Academy: N. Keam, O. Sheridan, O. Trickey, D. Dametto, R. Borg, A. Lucas

SUNS ACADEMY:

#1 Levi Thompson
Forward/Midfielder | 171cm | 23/08/2010

Stats: 14 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles

It was an up-and-down day for Thompson, but at his best, he was as classy as anyone afield. The crafty small worked into the game after going without a touch in term one, responding with eight during the following 23 minutes. He showed his smarts to read cues, find targets, and evade opponents with a sharp turn of foot. Thompson handled the ball cleanly and provided great connection between the arcs as a high forward, before even getting a run through the middle.

#5 Kobe Jorgensen
Wing/Forward | 172cm | 19/05/2010

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 marks, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

Jorgensen produced a lively opening half, playing with plenty of intensity and energy. The diminutive prospect wasn’t afraid to put his body on the line, competing bravely in the air and crashing in to win ground balls. His attack on the contest was aided by a blend of speed and core strength, with both traits allowing him to beat opponents in a variety of ways. Jorgensen then showed his wares on the outside, taking ground whenever possible to put pressure on the Swans’ defence.

#10 Paddy Fitzgibbon
Midfielder | 181cm | 24/04/2010

Stats: 24 disposals, 9 tackles, 5 clearances, 6 inside 50s

Arguably best on ground, Fitzgibbon did a bit of everything in his side’s win. He was supremely clean at stoppages and did plenty of good work by hand, facilitating waves of possession with his ability to link up in the attacking phase. Fitzgibbon’s poise and timing were also evident in his ball use by foot, as he lowered his eyes or drew in opponents before releasing. The icing on the cake came in the form of his defensive efforts, laying several strong wrap-up tackles.

#15 Kobe Mundy
Midfielder | 184cm | 11/05/2010

Stats: 20 disposals, 4 marks, 1 goal

It was another high-impact game from Mundy, whose speed and aggression were clear to see. Just as readily as he burst out of congestion, the midfielder could also be seen hunting opposition ball winners and burying them in big tackles. His hunt and power were key to catching the eye, although Mundy can continue to refine his ball use – perhaps rushing to surge the ball forward by foot. Still, he was steady enough to slot a set shot goal at the end of the third quarter.

#21 Fletcher Vincent
Defender | 187cm | 30/08/2010

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 6 rebound 50s

Vincent showcased his impressive skillset down back, impacting both on the intercept and rebound. He rose for several strong marks and also got the job done with desperate ground level efforts, proving difficult to beat across the last line. His distributive skills were just as sound, as the stylish left-footer found decent range and penetration on his kick-ins. Vincent’s athleticism lends to great versatility at 187cm, able to play tall while also getting the job done on smalls.

#23 Harry Cloke
Midfielder/Forward | 185cm | 26/07/2010

Stats: 21 disposals, 5 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

Sporting head tape for much of the game, it wasn’t hard to spot Cloke. He was most at home in midfield, where he showed his strength at stoppage to extract possession or get on the end of releasing handballs to launch the ball forward. He began to drive his legs more as the game wore on and made an impact up forward, snapping a goal during term three. His strong frame and hands make him effective on the inside, and Cloke can continue to become more dynamic on the outside.

#28 Callum Samuelson
Tall Forward/Ruck | 198cm | 27/07/2010

Stats: 12 disposals, 7 marks, 6 hitouts, 1 goal

Samuelson put on a contested marking clinic on Monday, clunking several big grabs around the ground. His very first led to the opening goal, although most of the tall’s best efforts were made further up the field. Samuelson provided a mobile target down the line, reading the flight of the ball to position expertly and doing his bodywork early to outmanoeuvre opponents. His ability to leap and extend at the ball overhead made him extremely difficult to spoil, particularly in the second half.

#29 Zahn Bugeja
Tall Defender | 196cm | 08/06/2009

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 4 rebound 50s

Working in tandem with Vincent, Bugeja provided a dual threat in defence. He was rock solid in aerial duels, proving too big and strong one-on-one to intercept or bring the ball to ground. His ability to cut the ball off either high up the ground or deep inside defensive 50 made Sydney have to avoid his area. While he sometimes invited pressure, Bugeja looked dangerous when able to recover the ball and use his momentum to surge forward on the rebound.

#31 Travis Larkins
Ruck | 195cm | 14/05/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 6 marks, 16 hitouts, 8 inside 50s

Larkins was once again incredibly dynamic in the ruck, displaying his raw athleticism and talent. He covered the ground well and was more than comfortable with ball in hand, taking metres and linking up with teammates along the way. Larkins also leapt strongly both in the ruck and for several marks, while proving capable of grabbing the ball out of the air to clear from stoppage. Albeit as an over-ager, he got to showcase his upside in an intriguing ruck battle.

SWANS ACADEMY:

#5 Dominic Dametto
Midfielder | 173cm | 02/02/2010

Stats: 17 disposals, 3 tackles, 7 clearances

Winning a game-high seven clearances, Dametto’s clean and lightning-quick hands were a feature at stoppages around the ground. The compact and agile midfielder was always in the thick of the action, collecting the ball and either dishing off or looking to craft a way out of traffic. In open play, he showed his ability to put speed on the ball and launch forward by foot, but did most of his best work in tight confines, finishing with 12 handballs among a team-high 13 contested possessions.

#10 Patrick McMahon
Midfielder | 173cm | 25/09/2010

Stats: 15 disposals, 10 tackles, 2 clearances

Picking up 12 of his 15 disposals in the first half, McMahon was busy from the outset. He worked in tandem with Dametto to have an impact at stoppages, showing great poise and evasive technique. McMahon stayed upright under pressure and was quite sharp by hand, while applying great pressure to ensure that wasn’t so easy for the Suns. His game-high 10 tackles included a couple of gritty efforts which helped sustain his impact in the second half.

#19 Noah Keam
Midfielder | 182cm | 02/01/2010

Stats: 33 disposals, 7 marks, 6 tackles, 1 goal

Once again arguably the Swans’ best, Keam was everywhere at times. Many of Sydney’s best forays passed through his hands, as he racked up 23 uncontested possessions and 15 handball receives. The prolific and hard-working midfielder popped up in all parts of the ground and dished the ball out with minimal fuss. Keam’s core strength allowed him to absorb pressure, while he applied plenty of his own to prevent easy Gold Coast stoppage exits. His productivity earned him a goal in the third quarter, where he took a strong mark overhead and slotted the set shot.

#22 Oliver Sheridan
Defender | 179cm | 01/01/2010

Stats: 28 disposals, 5 marks, 8 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Sydney’s most prominent distributor from defence, Sheridan restarted play off the last line and ventured high up the ground. He got good purchase on his kick-ins, and when opting to go short, would often double up on his possessions. Sheridan seemed to cover every blade of grass across the Swans’ defensive 50, and he even snuck forward for a long-range goal in term three.

#25 Archie Lucas
Tall Defender | 193cm | 04/09/2009

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks

Lucas was recognised by his coaches for a strong performance in defence, bookending his game well. The resolute defender picked up half his disposals and all of his marks in the opening quarter, making a couple of errors but desperately making up for them with a series of important intercepts. He read the play well and used his frame to impact aerially, once again popping up in the final quarter to help relieve pressure in his side’s loss.

#28 Owen Trickey
Tall Forward/Ruck | 189cm | 15/01/2010

Stats: 10 disposals, 5 marks, 12 hitouts, 1 goal

Trickey was a vital connection piece for the Swans, presenting full-chested up to the wing and clunking several strong marks. His powerful and aggressive leaps at the ball meant he could either take possession or bring Sydney’s smalls into play. Either way, Trickey’s work rate was rewarded with a set shot goal in term three and he even chopped out in the ruck at times.

#31 Spencer Millington
Tall Defender/Ruck | 186cm | 18/06/2010

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 4 rebound 50s

The Swans’ secondary ruck option, Millington made his most significant impact in defence. He was among a few kick-in takers and rose for several handy intercept marks, competing reliably hard to win the ball back for his side. Millington was also prepared to get stuck in at ground level and laid his fair share of tackles, ensuring he would stay involved outside of the aerial realm.

#37 Rasmus Borg
Ruck/Tall Defender | 195cm | 04/09/2010

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 marks, 19 hitouts

Engaging in a fairly even ruck battle with Larkins, Borg had his wins throughout the day. He was proficient at dropping back to support his defence, slotting into the hole and standing tall under high balls. When unable to mark, Borg split the contest and was quite nimble on the follow-up. His presence, and sometimes aggression, were indicative of a strong key position prospect – even with a few clumsy moments here and there.