{"id":138027,"date":"2023-08-01T15:08:33","date_gmt":"2023-08-01T05:08:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=138027"},"modified":"2023-08-01T15:08:35","modified_gmt":"2023-08-01T05:08:35","slug":"up-the-grades-swans-blood-academy-guns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2023\/08\/01\/up-the-grades-swans-blood-academy-guns\/","title":{"rendered":"Up the Grades: Swans blood Academy guns"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

AFL DRAFT prospects continue to climb the grades in 2023, headlined over the weekend by a trio of Swans Academy products in the VFL. Midfielder Caiden Cleary<\/a> was the pick of the bunch, compiling 18 disposals, seven tackles and a goal as Sydney comfortably beat Essendon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fellow Allies squad members Max Rider<\/a> (13 disposals, one goal) and Indhi Kirk<\/a> (12 disposals, four marks) also fared well upon returning to the level, while Essendon Next Generation Academy (NGA) member Mahmoud Taha<\/a> managed 10 touches and five tackles on debut for the Bombers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melbourne also had a club-tied talent turn out for his maiden state league outing. Father-son candidate Kynan Brown<\/a> featured for Casey with six disposals, four tackles and a goal, as the Demons fell by a single point to Williamstown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Western Jets midfielder Jake Smith<\/a> also debuted in the same game, notching four touches for the Towners. Meanwhile, fellow Talent Leaguer Harvey Johnston<\/a> booted his first VFL goal in Sandringham’s loss to Box Hill having earned a breakthrough game last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rounding out the VFL proceedings, a pair of Suns Academy prospects contributed to Gold Coast’s Q-Clash victory. Midfielders Will Graham<\/a> and Jake Rogers<\/a> were both afield, but Brisbane over-ager Jack Manly<\/a> had a day to remember despite the result with three goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One for the future among the Northern Academy lot is Brisbane’s Daniel Annable<\/a>. The Under 16 MVP and Pool B title-winning captain made his senior QAFL debut with Redland Victoria Point, beating out a Wilston Grange side littered with fellow Lions. Top-ager Patrick Snell<\/a> was best on for the Gorillas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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