SYDNEY Swans Academy has kicked off its year on a massive high with a 138-point demolition of AFL Canberra in the NSW\/ACT Under-22 Women’s Summer Series on the weekend. The Swans took control early and never looked like losing, having 34 scoring shots to one in a 21.13 (139) to 0.1 (1) blitz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a true team effort, the Swans had six multiple goalkickers among 12 players who hit the scoreboard in the win at Henson Park. After kicking four goals in the opening quarter, the Swans flexed their muscles with an eight-goal second term to put the result beyond doubt by the main break. The red and white did not hold back after half-time, kicking four goals in the third, and once the margin extended beyond triple digits it became party time with plenty of enthusiastic celebrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Picking the best players from the winners was near-impossible with so many quality performances across the ground, particularly through the middle and up forward where the ball lived for the majority of the match. From the opening bounce to the final siren, over-age ruck Amaia Wain<\/a> was simply too athletic for her opponents, rising well above them to rack up the hitouts, but follow-up well with strong tackles and pumping the ball forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She teamed up with fellow 2007-born tall Grace Parsons<\/a> between the ruck and forward, with both hitting the scoreboard and setting others up in the process. The Swans forwards feasted on the amount of entries inside 50 with Gabriela Waechter<\/a> kicking two in the first term and finishing with three for the game, as did Leila Clark<\/a> and Willow Orsini<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Father-daughter prospect Jordan Davis<\/a> showed strong hands in the air, kicked a couple and continued to present, while Aurelia Russell<\/a> impacted forward of centre then worked hard to get back late in the game as well. Despite having a few misses she would love back, bottom-ager Lolita Savala<\/a> slotted a couple of fourth quarter majors to also end with a pair of goals to her name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the forwards feasted, they had the opportunity thanks to a completely dominant midfield. If the on-ball group and wings were not driving it from the contest, they were holding a strong line and intercepting the ball with a return to sender going back inside 50. National Academy member Charlotte Tidemann<\/a>‘s trademark run-and-carry was on display as her repeat contest work and execution was outstanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tidemann’s North Shore premiership teammate Heidi de Saxe<\/a> was also a star out of the middle, often feeding the ball to others around the coalface, but also able to break away and clear it forward. When rotated inside 50, she kicked a goal and provided scoring opportunities to her teammates. Winger and skipper Frances Walsh<\/a> was prominent throughout and even started the fourth term on-ball, putting her body on the line time and time again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Add in the smarts of Evie Bowie<\/a> – who played primarily on-ball but rotated forward – and the link-up play of Lila Micheletti<\/a> and Lucinda Watson<\/a>, and there were no shortage of stars from the winning side. Sydney also looked to have an abundance of marking targets with Madison McCarthy<\/a>, Ava Horneman<\/a> and Davis all very good, and Ashleigh Barlow<\/a> another player who provided plenty around the forward arc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For AFL Canberra, it was a tough day at the office, but two players who caught the eye were Maddie<\/strong> Bailey<\/strong> and Grace Read<\/strong>. The pair found their fair share of the ball and were able to link up between midfield and attack, while Hannah Kearney<\/strong> and Amy Frost <\/strong>worked tirelessly behind the ball. The Under 22s will get a crack at the Giants Academy this weekend, followed by the AFL Sydney side after that, while the Swans Academy have the reverse fixtures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SWANS ACADEMY 4.5 | 12.7 | 16.13 | 21.13 (139)<\/strong> GOALS:<\/strong> RMC BEST:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
AFL CANBERRA 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 (1)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Swans Academy:<\/strong> G. Waechter 3, L. Clark 3, W. Orsini 3, A. Russell 2, J. Davis 2, L. Savala 2, H. de Saxe, G. Parsons, L. Watson, L. Micheletti, A. Wain, A. Barlow,
AFL Canberra:<\/strong> Nil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Swans Academy:<\/strong> A. Wain, C. Tidemann, H. de Saxe, L. Clark, F. Walsh
AFL Canberra:<\/strong> M. Bailey, G. Read, E. Woodward, H. Kearney, A. Frost<\/p>\n\n\n\n