Academy games 2026.

[dejavoodoo44]

Big 130-54 win. Goals in that quarter were firstly to probably Griffiths, who was spotted free in the goal square by Luke. Then Richardson, who took a nice contested mark, after Smith broke free at a centre bounce. Then it was probably Pignatelli who got a free in a marking contest about 20 metres out. Then I had no idea who got the next one, but it might have the replacement for a Jenkin. Then the final one may have been Chambers who did a nice bit of roving. But really, I wouldn't put a whole lot of faith in who I'm identifying as goal kickers today.

That probably brings our Talent League campaign to an end, even though there might be some of sort of chance that our postponed match against the Giants, might be played sometime in the future. Don't think that it can be next week, because I think that there's a combined NSW academy versus SA match. Then the Allies season kicks off in early May.

It'll be interesting to see how many of our players make the Allies squad. After an undefeated season, you'd think that plenty of players would be in with a chance, especially since Gold Coast, GWS and Tasmania have all been a bit disappointing. But I suspect that a fair few of our players who possibly deserve selection, might be disappointed.

With so many draft year players in contention, they possibly won't pick any overagers. Which would be tough on Clifton and Morahan, who have had very good seasons. If they don't get selected, I wouldn't mind seeing both get a few games in our VFL side.

Starting with the defenders, the draft age players with a chance, in my opinion, are Beavis, Medved, McGroder and possibly Norris. All the onballers have a chance: Price, Meaney, Smith and Meyrick; possibly in that order. Maybe even Blackwell-Smith, who I think is injured at the moment. On the outside, you'd think that the Jenkin twins would get a go. In the forward line, Pignatelli has probably done enough, while Luke might get a go. Possibly even Chambers.

I doubt if they'll select any of our underagers, but Mok would probably have the most chance. Anyway, the combined NSW academy match might give us more of an indication.

[Thunder Shaker]

Thank you for posting this, deja.

The only thing that concerns me about the good form of the Academy lads is the possibility that we won't be recruiting any of the best Academy prospects due to a lack of high-end draft picks. You can be sure that several clubs would have had scouts at the games, furiously taking notes on laptops.

[dejavoodoo44]

Thank you for posting this, deja.

The only thing that concerns me about the good form of the Academy lads is the possibility that we won't be recruiting any of the best Academy prospects due to a lack of high-end draft picks. You can be sure that several clubs would have had scouts at the games, furiously taking notes on laptops.

Ta.
And yes, even if we did trade out a player or two and added some picks, we'd still possibly miss out on anyone going high, because it's highly likely that we will have to pay the competence tax.

Although currently none of our players are rated top thirty by the various draft gurus. One of them extended their rankings down to fifty and included the injured McCartney at around 35. Not sure that he quite has the body of work to be drafted without playing this season, but he occasionally looked good last season. There’s also the likelihood that he'll choose North instead of us. Probably makes more sense, because we might have other options that we're keen on, where they might take him regardless, just to get one over the academies.

Of course, things can change a lot during the national championships, as most recruiters rate form against quality opposition more highly. Personally, I think our two players most likely to rise are Medved and McGroder. If they're picked for the Allies, a 20+ possession game for either of them could see them rise into first round contention, as that should be enough for even the most unobservant of pundits notice how athletic they are.

[dejavoodoo44]

Also PlayHQ has listed the players today with their correct numbers and the number of goals that they kicked. There was only one Jenkin today and that was Will. Interestingly, the replacement for Guy was James O'Loughlin, who made his only appearance for this season. He ended up with three goals. I didn't recognise him and mistook him for Meyrick.

Sydney Swans Academy - Boys v Geelong Falcons Talent League Boys, 2026, R9 - Game Centre | PlayHQ https://share.google/LgcwaSRdSLfkAJK5k

[dejavoodoo44]

The AFL site is reporting that there's a fair bit of interest in the upcoming midseason draft, for another academy graduate, Caleb May. He's a 208cm ruck, who made the Allies squad in 2023 and was probably a bit unlucky not to be rookie listed. For the past couple of seasons he's played for West Adelaide in the SANFL and recently made the SA team to play WA.

The list of nominees for the 2026 Mid-Season Rookie Draft - https://www.afl.com.au/news/1519811

[Mountain Man]

I only noticed 2 NSW based boys who were on the list - 1 of which has a most appropriate surname!

Kaden Harbour - Sydney Swans (VFL)
Coby Hilton - South West Sydney Blues

[dejavoodoo44]

The Rookie Me scouting notes for the game. I think they're starting to notice how promising Medved is.

Scouting Notes: Swans sink Falcons in battle of the birds - Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central https://share.google/u513fbCubOnsYYhlj

[dejavoodoo44]

There is a combined Swans and Giants team taking on SA at 10.30 today, but so far, I can’t find who are players are, and streaming appears to be only through a paid SANFL subscription service. Perhaps Rookie Me will do a decent write up of the game?

[dejavoodoo44]

Two more academy graduates made it on to AFL lists tonight. As expected, ruck Caleb May was taken, after some strong form for West Adelaide in the SANFL. Although he did go to the Bulldogs. Perhaps more of a surprise was Liam Puncher going to Collingwood. Obviously Puncher is an appropriate name for the key defender that he is. He's also been playing in the SANFL, currently for Woodville-West Torrens and I think originally for Sturt.

Bombers land Tassie speedster at No.1, rucks galore, Pies target experience - https://www.afl.com.au/news/1528007

[imuninformedtwo]

You mean the VFL were dickheads for not recognising the Academy was already growing the talent pool before changing the bidding rules? Who’d have thunk it

[dejavoodoo44]

You mean the VFL were dickheads for not recognising the Academy was already growing the talent pool before changing the bidding rules? Who’d have thunk it

Yes, but I'm sure that people around the club, will have increased opportunities to experience the warm inner glow, that you get when you develop players for the benefit of Victorian clubs.

[dejavoodoo44]

The combined NSW academies had a win over SA the other day. Which is a significant improvement on last season, when SA won easily. Rookie Me mentions seven of our players and four Giants, so you'd assume that we played a strong role in the result.

Scouting Notes: 2026 South Australia vs. NSW/ACT Academies - Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central https://share.google/I2D9U5Nt7eAxPPnWi

[bandwagon]

The Gettable show on the AFL site had a short segment on our Academy crop - the summary being a number are developing well and Sydney will have to make some hard decisions at the end of the year.
Cal Twomey said 'there is a lot of interest' in Medved and McGroder, and he also mentioned Meaney, Guy Jenkins (but not his brother?) Pignatelli and McCartney.

I was hoping Medved's improvement might slip by un-noticed, guess it was not to be.

[dejavoodoo44]

This season's Allies squad has just been announced. Our academy has nine players selected, which is a lot. They are, I assume Guy Jenkin, though he’s listed as Guy Jinks. Strangely Will Jenkin appears not to be selected. Perhaps he's injured? Then there's Price, Meaney, Pignatelli, Medved and McGroder. Then there's overager Morahan and underager Hardy. And finally there's McCartney, who's a bit of a surprise, as he's been injured all season. In my opinion, Smith was the most unlucky not to be selected. Perhaps also unlucky were Luke, Beavis and Clifton? But of course, there's still a chance that players will go in and out of the squad.

Ultimate guide to the 2026 U18 Boys National Championships - https://www.afl.com.au/news/1518686

[Thunder Shaker]

This season's Allies squad has just been announced. Our academy has nine players selected, which is a lot. They are, I assume Guy Jenkin, though he’s listed as Guy Jinks.

There are a few mistakes in the player names, which I attribute to AI-induced laziness.

Having nine players selected in a squad of 27 shows the strength of the Sydney Swans Academy this year. Brisbane have six, Giants have three and Gold Coast have only two.