Academy games 2026.

[dejavoodoo44]

Hmm, I did write a fairly long summary a couple of hours ago, but that seems to have disappeared, so I'll just write a few lines.

Ended up scrambling to a 77-70 win. Though I'm not sure how impressive it is, to only be in front for a couple of minutes against NT.

I thought Sheridan was our best today, providing plenty of rebounding from half back. Keam was classy in the middle and Dametto seemed to get plenty of the ball. I liked the game of Millington, who I thought showed some nice skills, alternating between tall forward and chop out ruck. Micheletti, McMahon, Turner, Lampret, Titmuss and Wills all had some good moments.

[dejavoodoo44]

Hmmm, we're going to have to come home very strongly with the wind, if we're going to stop NT from having a rare win, as they're now in front 68-42. Actually, it could have been a fair bit worse, as they kicked a number of late behinds, before Hawes marked and converted a set shot into the difficult wind. Sheridan has probably been our best, so far.

[dejavoodoo44]

We're now behind 40-35. We looked like overhauling the deficit fairly quickly, but lost some momentum as the quarter went on. Goals were to Dametto, Keam, Millington and Lampret. The Millington goal was a nice bit of roving for a tall, and he also did well to pump the ball long, for Lampret to mark near goal.

[dejavoodoo44]

Behind 34-8 at quarter time, but NT had the benefit of a very strong southerly. Which was demonstrated by the opening clearance, when Lawford of NT, hoisted it from the square in the general direction of his forwards, but the wind carried it through from about 65m. He has three goals already and looks a prospect. Our only goal was from Lampret, who looked like he shanked a set shot, but somehow the wind curled it back in.

[dejavoodoo44]

The Rookie Me scouting notes for the game.

Scouting Notes: 2026 AFL U16s - Suns Academy vs. Swans Academy - Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central https://share.google/8MyaBTgIm08DIBHVk

Their final game for the championships is against NT at Sharks at 2pm Thursday.

[dejavoodoo44]

The Suns won 64-40, after having the edge for most of the match. Although they did seem to get a lot of kicks at goal from frees, while I'm not sure if we had any.

Anyway, our only goal in the last was by Micheletti, who put through a nice snap in traffic, from about 35m out. He seems to have added a few centimetres since last year, when he played as an underager, but he's still tiny. He does have some nice skills, though. A couple of taller forwards also looked to have some decent skills: Trickey and Hawes.

In the midfield, Keam was our best. He looks composed in traffic and he seemed to get plenty of it. Turner, McMahon and Dametto were lively. Ruckman Borg, also went pretty well.

In defence, Sheridan showed plenty of dash as a medium defender. While talls, Millington and Lucas, looked pretty good.

[dejavoodoo44]

We're now behind 48-34. Probably were the better side, until the Suns got a couple in the last two minutes. Our goals in that quarter were to: Trickey, who took a strong contested mark about 30m out: Sheridan, who ran around Trickey after another strong mark, and goaled from just inside the 50, and Keam, who was spotted 30m out.

[dejavoodoo44]

Now behind 22-15, in a game where the pressure is a bit better than the skills. Keam seems a decent larger bodied midfielder.

[dejavoodoo44]

Behind 14-13 at quarter time. I'm still working out who's who, but both our goals were kicked by Hawes, who seems a skilful tallish forward. At the other end, Lucas had a strong quarter as a KPD.

[dejavoodoo44]

The u16 academy side plays a national championships match today, against the Suns academy at 2.50pm at Carrara. It looks like it can be streamed via this link. Though I'm guessing that it might just show up on the AFL site.

National Championships - U16 Boys - AFL.com.au https://share.google/vkLHONaIPDmZMv6Lg

The squads can also be accessed through that link. They'll play another game on Thursday at Sharks, although the opposition and exact time is yet to be announced.

[dejavoodoo44]

The Rookie Me scouting notes for the game. Meaney is the only Swan to get a mention. West Coast have got a couple of interesting F/S prospects in Banfield and Braun.

Scouting Notes: 2026 AFL U18s - Allies vs. Western Australia - Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central https://share.google/FvwlSiCG7xuVGjAYs

[dejavoodoo44]

The Allies managed to win that 84-78. For much of the game, WA seemed to have more skill and more draftable prospects, but from about halfway through the third quarter, the Allies looked to have more energy and eventually got in front, late in the last.

Not sure if any of our academy guys really boosted their draft chances? Perhaps Medved went closest, with some useful rebound involvements in the second half. But at times, I suspect his team mates were driving him a bit crazy. A number of times he got himself into positions to launch, but they either just missed him or burnt him entirely. I hope he gets a chance to show what he can do in a VFL game or two, as being with better ball users might be really helpful. Morahan had a pretty good game in defence, with a few good spoils and intercepts, but being an overager, he probably needs to be more than just pretty good. Meaney and Blackwell-Smith both competed will around the contests, and again, I wouldn't mind seeing them both get a chance in our VFL side, but at the moment, I can’t really see either being taken until very late in the draft.

[dejavoodoo44]

Allies have made a bit of a comeback, to be behind 62-64. Don't know if they had a wind advantage in that quarter?

[dejavoodoo44]

WA starting to skip away, now leading 57-34. They were on top in the clearances and were able to move the ball more efficiently when coming out of defence.

[dejavoodoo44]

The Allies are showing better pressure in this match and are in front 21-19 at the first break. All four Swans players are doing pretty well, with Meaney getting a goal, after he received a high contact free and converted from about 40m.