2nds Official Swans Academy Thread (Player News and Discussion)

[Rioli8217]

NGA Bomber, Academy Swans star at Combines

Essendon's Josh Ayre and Sydney pair Errol Gulden and Braeden Campbell impress in their NAB AFL Draft Combines

www.afl.com.au

Also received news last night that the academy is going to restructure.
I'll Combe back once I read it to see what happened.

 

[RUNVS]

NGA Bomber, Academy Swans star at Combines

Essendon's Josh Ayre and Sydney pair Errol Gulden and Braeden Campbell impress in their NAB AFL Draft Combines

www.afl.com.au

Also received news last night that the academy is going to restructure.
I'll Combe back once I read it to see what happened.

How will it restructure?

 

[BloodySwan]

So Campbell is fast with a wicked left foot? Sign me up

 

[Rioli8217]

How will it restructure?

The coronavirus has resulted in substantial and ongoing budget cuts which have forced us to undertake a significant re-structure of the Swans Academy for 2021 and beyond.



The cut in funding means fewer staff and resources, and this will impact player numbers in all age groups.



We'd like to outline the re-structure and how it might impact you.

• The Academy is taking on additional female players, adding the Under 17, Under 18 and Under 19 Top End age groups, which were previously the responsibility of AFL NSW-ACT
• We are also taking on more responsibility for male and female talent programs such as State Carnivals, National Championships, Talent Camps, State Combines and coach education

We're pleased to be taking on extra female players and extra programs but they have to be accommodated within a reduced budget, and with fewer staff.

• The result is that we will be making cuts, effective this year, in the number of male and female players in every age group from Under 13 onwards. This includes the Top End Male squads (U16-U19)
• Around 20 per cent of players will be cut from each age group
• Until now, all players have remained in the Academy until the end of their Under 15 year. This will no longer be the case
• Our entry standards will be even higher in future, and our expectations of all age groups will rise - particularly with respect to skill level, training standards, time management and commitment to the sport

What do you need to do?

• All players must let us know by Tuesday, November 3 whether or not they wish to be considered for next year’s Academy program - there is a link below to respond
• After we've received those replies, the coaching staff will assess the numbers in every age group
• Please be assured that to reduce numbers in a fair manner, the coaches have been re-watching footage from both Youth Girls and Youth Boys Academy Cup matches, as well as checking attendance and injury records and consulting local coaches
• We expect to complete this selection process by mid-November, and then we'll inform players if they will remain in the Academy in 2021
• Current Academy players who aren't selected for the 2021 program will be monitored at club level and may be invited to skills sessions during the school holidays

We understand some of these changes may cause concern, but we have no choice under the current circumstances.



We must continue to drive high standards at the Academy, and prioritise those players who are fully committed to the program, to their own development, and to the sport.

This was sent to parents last night.

 

[RobbieK]

That all seems pretty reasonable considering the circumstances.

 

[RUNVS]

That all seems pretty reasonable considering the circumstances.

Agreed. I was worried that it was going to be a restructure in the sense of the AFL basically killing it because Eddie doesn't like it. Thanks for the article Rioli8217

 

[Rioli8217]

Agreed. I was worried that it was going to be a restructure in the sense of the AFL basically killing it because Eddie doesn't like it. Thanks for the article Rioli8217

I thought so as well, but it wouldn't be right to kill it off considering what it has done for elite talent in NSW. Because it tends to be that when there are good players from NSW they are quite high picks. Shipley, Blakey, heeney, green etc.


The 20% cuts will also make the program more elite. Some pretty shocking players make it in at the moment.

 

[dosser]

... and mine the funniest

But only when you are giving your honest insights.

 

[kelpie_X]

But only when you are giving your honest insights.

That's when I'm usually drunk

 

[Chaisa]

Top tier Academy talents for future years? (i.e. not Campbell/Gulden)

 

[Rioli8217]

Top tier Academy talents for future years? (i.e. not Campbell/Gulden)

Will Sabolch - under 16 2020

All-Australian 15 years and under 2019
NSW 15 years and under 2019

 

[RUNVS]

Will Sabolch - under 16 2020

All-Australian 15 years and under 2019
NSW 15 years and under 2019

What position does he play?

 

[TheMase]

What position does he play?

I’d be guessing midfielder. 178cm as of September 2019 as a 15 year old.

 

[TheMase]

Will Sabolch - under 16 2020

All-Australian 15 years and under 2019
NSW 15 years and under 2019

Do you know anything about Billy King? 195cm as a 15 year old... big lad.

 

[Rioli8217]

Do you know anything about Billy King? 195cm as a 15 year old... big lad.

Not really, though I've heard of him

 

[RUNVS]

I’d be guessing midfielder. 178cm as of September 2019 as a 15 year old.

Pretty good size for 15 though. Could easily see him reaching 188cm.

 

[BruceFromBalnarring]

Do you know anything about Billy King? 195cm as a 15 year old... big lad.

Dominated in the ruck in a senior match for Cardiff.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Dominated in the ruck in a senior match for Cardiff.

Related to Heeney?

 

[Rioli8217]

Related to Heeney?

I doubt it.

 

[Kiama Chris]

I doubt it.

Me too. But playing for Cardiff?

 

[Rioli8217]

Me too. But playing for Cardiff?

It's a solid club from what I hear.
In saying that, it is like saying Campbell is related to kjack because of Pennant Hills. Obviously not true.

 

[TheMase]

One of my best games of footy was against Cardiff in under 18s. Kicked 3 of our 10 or so goals from the ruck to win the game.

 

[brad cooper]

One of my best games of footy was against Cardiff in under 18s. Kicked 3 of our 10 or so goals from the ruck to win the game.

Is that you Tom Boyd?

 

[Kiama Chris]

It's a solid club from what I hear.
In saying that, it is like saying Campbell is related to kjack because of Pennant Hills. Obviously not true.

Irony

 

[Chaisa]

It's a solid club from what I hear.
In saying that, it is like saying Campbell is related to kjack because of Pennant Hills. Obviously not true.

Or Jarryd McVeigh. Or Lenny Hayes

Lenny Hayes

Age

41

Ht

186cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

22.5

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

11.0

5star

M

3.7

4star

T

5.0

5star

CL

5.2

5star

No current season stats available

D

9.2

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

4.2

3star

M

1.6

2star

T

0.4

3star

!

(Jesus the Pennant Hills club is solid. Why is it such an AFL hotbed of talent?)