SYDNEY Swans Academy remains unbeaten in the Under 18 Academy Series, three debutants shine on the AFL stage, while Sydney University’s unbeaten streak continued for another week in the North East Australian Football League (NEAFL).

Under 18 Academy Series: Round 3

NORTHERN TERRITORY       1.4       1.7       5.10     8.13 (61)
SYDNEY SWANS                    6.1       8.4       11.5     14.6 (90)

GOALS
NORTHERN TERRITORY: M.Cumming 3, S.Cumming, Wyatt, Forbes, Mummery, Ferreira
SYDNEY SWANS: Barkley 3, Swaney 2, Reinhard 2, Thorne, Stein, Maguire, Wicks, Van Huisstede, Carroll, Barling 

BEST
NORTHERN TERRITORY: Mummery, M.Cumming, Simon, Green, S.Cumming, Hutt
SYDNEY SWANS: Reinhard, Parkes, Stern, Kilpatrick, Wicks, Brewer

A FAST start from the Sydney Swans Academy ensured they would run out 29-point winners over the Northern Territory team in Alice Springs on Saturday. The Swans kept NT to just a sole goal going into half time, with eight to their name and never looked back in claiming their third win of the tournament. 

Despite missing likely top 10 draft pick Nick Blakey, Rory Barkley continued his good form of the carnival, bagging three goals, while Lachlan Swaney and Joey Reinhard both kicked two each. The 190cm Reinhard was named the Swans best for the match, with overager Sam Wicks and midfielder Cooper Kilpatrick also in the best. Reinhard played at centre half-forward, using his size to his advantage – taking multiple strong marks around the ground. He also pinched hit in the ruck at times and pulled off a stunning specky in the third quarter, as a contender for the best mark of the series. 

Three debut at elite level

It was a huge week for NSW/ACT debutants in the AFL, with Melbourne’s Charlie Spargo, GIANTS’ Nick Shipley and Essendon’s Kobe Mutch all playing their first games at the elite level on the weekend. Former Murray Bushrangers small forward Spargo, was injured in his top-age year and slipped down the draft order. He defied his draft selection to boot two goals from 18 disposals (nine contested), four marks, two inside 50s and three tackles in a top performance for the Demons in their win over Essendon.

Former Bendigo Pioneer Mutch might not have sung the song, but he was equally as impressive in the red and black, notching up 20 disposals, six marks, two inside 50s and laying a tackle. Mutch also had three clearances to go with his 10 contested possessions. The most talked about debut of the trio was Shipley – a soccer convert from Western Sydney. Shipley embodies what the GIANTS hope to achieve in the region, getting more players involved in Australian Rules Football at the grassroots level. Shipley was the first player from Western Sydney to debut for the GIANTS, and picked up seven disposals, two marks, three tackles and had an inside 50 and a goal assist to go with one behind.

NEAFL Round 4:

Canberra Demons 10.13 (73) defeated by Aspley 12.16 (88)

Canberra Demons suffered their third loss in four games, losing to Queensland side Aspley by 15 points on the weekend. The home team was in it for the first half, but a disappointing five goals to one third term saw the visitors blow out to a 24-point final break lead. Canberra hit back in the fourth quarter, booting four goals to two, but it was too little, too late as they went down despite the best efforts of Mitch Maguire. Maguire had 30 disposals, four marks, six tackles and booted a goal to be Canberra’s best again, while Isaac Taylor had 19 disposals, five marks and eight tackles and Kade Klemke finished with 17 disposals, five marks and six tackles in the defeat. Others among the bests were Cameron Milne who had 15 disposals, four marks, one tackle, 24 hitouts and booted a goal, while Lucas Meline had 17 disposals, five marks and two tackles, but misfired in front of goal with three behinds.

Sydney University 13.10 (88) defeated Southport 6.19 (55)

Sydney University has remained undefeated in the NEAFL after a 33-point victory over an inaccurate Southport. The home side were on top early, and aside from being held goalless in the second term, booted nine goals to three in the second half to run away with the match. Former Sydney and Essendon midfielder Craig Bird notched up 28 disposals, eight marks and four tackles, while Mitchell Thompson collected 27 disposals, nine marks and two tackles. Timothy Barton was named the winners’ best for his role, picking up 13 disposals and four marks, while Adam Gulden was also impressive with 18 disposals (15 kicks) and four marks.

Sydney Swans Reserves 6.13 (49) defeated Gold Coast Suns Reserves 8.10 (58)

Sydney went down to Gold Coast in their NEAFL clash, conceding two goals to zero in the third term to lose by nine points. Darcy Cameron has a huge game with 24 disposals, 11 marks, nine tackles, 32 hitouts and two goals, while Jake Brown had 23 disposals, six marks and booted a goal. Tom McCartin‘s form up forward continued, taking eight marks and booting 1.3 from 15 disposals, while Aliir Aliir pushed his case for a return assisting in the ruck with eight hitouts, going with his 17 disposals. three marks and two tackles.

UWS Giants 6.4 (40) defeated by Brisbane Lions Reserves 19.19 (133)

The UWS Giants were no match for Brisbane Lions, with the reigning premiers touching up the home side in a 93-point belting. It was not looking good early with Brisbane leading by 30 points at half-time, but it got ugly in the second half as Brisbane piled on 10.10 to 1.1 in a complete rout to run out comfortable winners. Dylan Addison stood tall with 25 disposals, two marks and a goal, while first round draft pick Aiden Bonar collected 23 disposals, two marks, six tackles and booted a goal upon return from injury. Dawson Simpson had 36 hitouts from seven disposals, while Isaac Cumming was good with 15 disposals and five tackles.