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- Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div>
Gippsland Power<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>Swans Academy<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nSaturday April 20, 12:45pm @ Shepley Oval<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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IN A NUTSHELL<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Gippsland Power will hope to return to the winners list and spoil the Swans Academy’s grand entrance in one fell swoop when the two sides meet at Shepley Oval on Saturday. The Power are poised at an even 1-1 after two games, while the Swans present somewhat of an unknown after their 2-3 record in last year’s Academy Series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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ONES TO WATCH<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
After missing out on the AFL Academy game through injury, Gippsland skipper Xavier Lindsay<\/a> has been named and will likely slot straight back into midfield. Fellow National Academy member Ricky Mentha<\/a> is also in the squad despite being tied to the Northern Territory Academy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A bunch of Vic Country Under 18 trialists are back in Gippsland colours, too. That list includes bottom-aged talent hub members Willem Duursma<\/a> and Jobe Scapin<\/a>, who rotated between the wing and defence last time out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sydney will be without one of its leading 2007-born prospects in Max King<\/strong>, but has running defender Lachlan Carmichael<\/a> and marking forward Noah Chamberlain<\/a> at its disposal. Both players were Under 16 All Australians last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National Academy defender Joel Cochran<\/a> promises to add some versatility in the tall department, but will likely start down back with his intercept marking and efficient ball use. Over-ager Lachlan Cabor<\/a> is also back for another year, looking to press his case with the Swans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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PREDICTION<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It will take more time for Sydney to blow out the cobwebs here than Gippsland coming off a week apart. That extra bit of run in the legs should serve the Victorian program well, especially without having to travel interstate. Power by 24.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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AROUND THE GROUNDS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tasmania Devils face a tough trip up to Blacktown to face the Giants Academy on Sunday. The visitors will lose over-agers Geordie Payne<\/strong> and Max Mapley<\/strong> to the Young Guns game, but regain National Academy tall Oliver Dean<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n