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

[SwansProudly]

2025 Academy games
Academy Fixture

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AFL Sydney & AFL Canberra Under 22 Squads Announced Ahead of 2025 Summer Series

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YOUNG BLOODS

A 28 episode TikTok documentary series taking you behind the scenes with the next generation of Aussie Rules players at the Sydney Swans Academy, as eight teenagers chase their dreams of being drafted in the AFL or AFLW.

www.youngbloods.au

Instagram qbesydneyswansacademy
rustycrate

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

One thing that stands out about our academy crop is that they all look very well developed. All have clearly spent time in the gym and looked after themselves. Likewise our AFLW girls. So what the f**k has happened to our AFL men's team? Does each program have different S&C coaches? If so, fire the men's coach and get either the academy or AFLW one in. Or if it's the same guy, can he put the men on better regimes?

C88 made a cracking observation when he said some of our guys look like they’ve been put through the shrink cycle in the wash.

 

[liz]

I think athleticism and raw power trumps possession gathering. Tbh LC's highlights imo or underwhelming, just a bunch of stock standard outside ball gathering work. I'm a little bit over that profile, we've had so much of it with your Lloyd's and ollies, and it only gets you so far.

I think being able to read the play to know where to be to support and receive the ball is an underrated asset. Lloyd is, after all, a BS medallist in a strongly performing team. He’s a better and more willing tackler than Lloyd, and is better overhead. On the other hand he probably doesn’t have Lloyd’s endurance, is maybe a little slower and - obviously - hasn’t demonstrated whether he can execute under the intense pressure of AFL footy.

To my eyes his game isn’t that different to Mills’s game as a defender, albeit he’s a little shorter. He hasn’t demonstrated the same onball prowess that Mills had (as a 17 yo).

The vast majority of what happens on a footy field isn’t the sexy stuff. It’s hard running, footy smarts and doing the basics well.

I stand by my opinion that his attributes are being underrated in what is described as a shallow draft.

 

[FreeAgent1]

I think being able to read the play to know where to be to support and receive the ball is an underrated asset. Lloyd is, after all, a BS medallist in a strongly performing team. He’s a better and more willing tackler than Lloyd, and is better overhead. On the other hand he probably doesn’t have Lloyd’s endurance, is maybe a little slower and - obviously - hasn’t demonstrated whether he can execute under the intense pressure of AFL footy.

To my eyes his game isn’t that different to Mills’s game as a defender, albeit he’s a little shorter. He hasn’t demonstrated the same onball prowess that Mills had (as a 17 yo).

The vast majority of what happens on a footy field isn’t the sexy stuff. It’s hard running, footy smarts and doing the basics well.

I stand by my opinion that his attributes are being underrated in what is described as a shallow draft.

Basically the same high footy IQ attributes but average physical attributes that resulted in Gulden being grossly undervalued.

The strange thing this year, is with so many academy players and the fact there isn’t really tactical bidding by the time it’s in the late 20s/30s cause it’s such a weak draft, I think the chances that they simply don’t get bid on at all are much higher than they should be…..

 

[Kiama Chris]

You can really see the Rugby development in Kyle. Ex Rugby players can become premiership players and at least in my eyes even potential Norm Smith medallists. (LRT you legend !)

KC said something about getting guys that may have hit their ceiling or peaked too early. Not Kyle, he’s only getting started and looks robust as !

Thanks JHWF it wasn't quite that but I'll take the shout out. The recruiters need to beware of early developers having hit their ceilings early compared to players with similar attributes but with a lot more development to come. My pet hate is recruiting players who are very lightly framed who can't add muscle as they run through the peak building and "hardening" years of 17-23 approx esp from weight training.
Guys like Bonz know much more than me about this stuff.

 

[liz]

Basically the same high footy IQ attributes but average physical attributes that resulted in Gulden being grossly undervalued.

The strange thing this year, is with so many academy players and the fact there isn’t really tactical bidding by the time it’s in the late 20s/30s cause it’s such a weak draft, I think the chances that they simply don’t get bid on at all are much higher than they should be…..

Maybe re Gulden. I don’t want to attribute a Gulden left boot to him. Mind you, despite being very excited by Gulden before we drafted him, his kicking ability did take me by surprise. And Carmichael’s footy IQ might not be at Gulden’s MENSA level.

I agree with you there’s a chance a bid won’t come, or will come late.

I do think a bid will come on King, even though I think he’s a reasonable chance of being a bust. His lowish possession counts don't concern me as much as his very untidy kicking.

 

[Slingshot Footy]

Maybe re Gulden. I don’t want to attribute a Gulden left boot to him. Mind you, despite being very excited by Gulden before we drafted him, his kicking ability did take me by surprise. And Carmichael’s footy IQ might not be at Gulden’s MENSA level.

I agree with you there’s a chance a bid won’t come, or will come late.

I do think a bid will come on King, even though I think he’s a reasonable chance of being a bust. His lowish possession counts don't concern me as much as his very untidy kicking.

Didn’t King have an older brother that also fizzled in his draft year?

I echo your sentiments though, we’ll pay the highest price for King but I actually see him as the riskiest of the bunch.

If King fails as a forward though, does he have the potential to be a key defender? Could be a little one dimensional but so is Tommy McCartin when you think about it.

 

[liz]

Didn’t King have an older brother that also fizzled in his draft year?

I echo your sentiments though, we’ll pay the highest price for King but I actually see him as the riskiest of the bunch.

If King fails as a forward though, does he have the potential to be a key defender? Could be a little one dimensional but so is Tommy McCartin when you think about it.

I reckon King is most likely to succeed as a tall midfielder. Whether that’s out on a wing or more inside I’m not sure. I just don’t think he has natural forward smarts. Running around in the midfield he can use his athletic skills to greater effect.

While I’m loath to make comparisons / projections, I remember Eade trying to create a forward out of a young Adam Goodes, despite his break out season (when he won the RS) being played as a ruckman. Goodes really wasn’t a very effective forward early in his career. It was only when another ruck crisis hit the club in 2003 and he resumed that role, that he started his journey towards greatness, morphing into a tall, explosive onballer once knee injuries put an end to his ruck days. In the twilight of his career he was a good forward but only once he had accumulated a career of general footy smarts. And he was never as great a forward as he had been a midfielder.

It’s presumptuous of me to think I know better than King's academy / U18 coaches. Clearly I don’t. But I am puzzled why they didn’t use him more in the midfield this year. (Apart from one speculative reason I’m not going to put in writing.)

 

[joeykanga]

I reckon King is most likely to succeed as a tall midfielder. Whether that’s out on a wing of more inside I’m not sure. I just don’t think he has natural foreard smarts. Running around in the midfield he can use his athletic skills to greater effect.

While I’m loath to make comparisons / projections, I remember Eade trying to create a forward out of a young Adam Goodes, despite his break out season (when he won the RS) being played as a ruckman. Goodes really wasn’t a very effective forward early in his career. It was only when another ruck crisis hit the club in 2003 and he resumed that role, that he started his journey towards greatness, morphing into a tall, explosive onballer once knee injuries put an end to his ruck days. In the twilight of his career he was a good forward but only once he had accumulated a career of general footy smarts. And he was never as great a forward as he had been a midfielder.

It’s presumptuous of me to think I know better than his academy / U18 coaches. Clearly I don’t. But I am puzzled why they didn’t use him more in the midfield this year. (Apart from one speculative reason I’m not going to put in writing.)

Smoke and Mirrors

 

[FreeAgent1]

Smoke and Mirrors

No it’s true - it’s the main reason allies had to move him forward from midfield.

He was turning it over more than when Tom Mitchell used to just bomb it outta packs.

I actually think early part of his career his best position is closest to goal. 1v1 he’s an athletic freak, not quite Heeney level but the best since academy wise.

I hope we rookie a few of the kids I guess.

The final part would be if you were an oppo recruiting team would you really be putting hours in to a Harry Kyle type - where they don’t play as much, likely to get matched anyway…… a lot of due diligence for likely no upside.

 

[Callipygian]

I was curious about what has become of Joel Cochran, so I went at looked at the Pies board. Looks like he's been playing off halfback and wing. They remain hopeful he can become a good player. Some think he still needs more development, others say give him a game now.

Inevitably we are going to be comparing the careers of Riak Andrew and Joel Cochran for a while to come. I'm going to give the first year to Joel given the ignominious end to the year that Riak had.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

I was curious about what has become of Joel Cochran, so I went at looked at the Pies board. Looks like he's been playing off halfback and wing. They remain hopeful he can become a good player. Some think he still needs more development, others say give him a game now.

Inevitably we are going to be comparing the careers of Riak Andrew and Joel Cochran for a while to come. I'm going to give the first year to Joel given the ignominious end to the year that Riak had.

As well as taking into account the 14 week AC joint injury and shoulder surgery Riak had as well?

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Aidan McCartney named in the 2026 AFL Academy squad

Father-son Blue, potential No.1 pick headline 2026 AFL Academy squad

The 25 players in next year's Marsh AFL Academy Boys squad have been selected

www.afl.com.au

 

[wolftone57]

Didn’t King have an older brother that also fizzled in his draft year?

I echo your sentiments though, we’ll pay the highest price for King but I actually see him as the riskiest of the bunch.

If King fails as a forward though, does he have the potential to be a key defender? Could be a little one dimensional but so is Tommy McCartin when you think about it.

Isn't King only 191cm? A bit short for a key defender these days. Maybe a third defender. Don't say Rampe is only 189 because recently when playing on Talls he has been caught out by new rule interpretations and a lack of height against the monsters like the sun King. The 200cmforward is becoming the norm after Joe.

I think his freaky natural ability and his work ethic will click in eventually. He is an incredible athlete it is said and can take a screamer. Let's give him a bit of time. He seemed to play well at VFL level. Kicked 2.3, accuracy is not his bag, that has to change. Amartey has the same problem. Some days he can't miss, see Adelaide, some he can't kick one from 10 metres. So, he should probably slip down the order. That's good. Cheaper for us. I believe Carmichael is also slipping. So if they both come between mid 20's and mid 30's that is better for us.

Some are predicting Kyle will be the first bid on. If that happens we will take him anyway. He is too good not to and he's a bolter. I like bolters. They get the job done and with a bolter you know they are maturing fast.

 

[DeathlyAccurate]

Aidan McCartney named in the 2026 AFL Academy squad

Father-son Blue, potential No.1 pick headline 2026 AFL Academy squad

The 25 players in next year's Marsh AFL Academy Boys squad have been selected

www.afl.com.au

Does this mean he’s likely to play for us over norf?

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Does this mean he’s likely to play for us over norf?

No, he just gets a spot in the AFL Academy side next year.

Still his call who he chooses.

 

[Ehswan]

I

I reckon King is most likely to succeed as a tall midfielder. Whether that’s out on a wing or more inside I’m not sure. I just don’t think he has natural forward smarts. Running around in the midfield he can use his athletic skills to greater effect.

While I’m loath to make comparisons / projections, I remember Eade trying to create a forward out of a young Adam Goodes, despite his break out season (when he won the RS) being played as a ruckman. Goodes really wasn’t a very effective forward early in his career. It was only when another ruck crisis hit the club in 2003 and he resumed that role, that he started his journey towards greatness, morphing into a tall, explosive onballer once knee injuries put an end to his ruck days. In the twilight of his career he was a good forward but only once he had accumulated a career of general footy smarts. And he was never as great a forward as he had been a midfielder.

It’s presumptuous of me to think I know better than King's academy / U18 coaches. Clearly I don’t. But I am puzzled why they didn’t use him more in the midfield this year. (Apart from one speculative reason I’m not going to put in writing.)

I think it was as a mid fwd or wing he won the rising star.. . His first year playing ones.
It was under Roos he won his first Brownlow playing ruck in 2003

 

[Ehswan]

Isn't King only 191cm? A bit short for a key defender these days. Maybe a third defender. Don't say Rampe is only 189 because recently when playing on Talls he has been caught out by new rule interpretations and a lack of height against the monsters like the sun King. The 200cmforward is becoming the norm after Joe.

I think his freaky natural ability and his work ethic will click in eventually. He is an incredible athlete it is said and can take a screamer. Let's give him a bit of time. He seemed to play well at VFL level. Kicked 2.3, accuracy is not his bag, that has to change. Amartey has the same problem. Some days he can't miss, see Adelaide, some he can't kick one from 10 metres. So, he should probably slip down the order. That's good. Cheaper for us. I believe Carmichael is also slipping. So if they both come between mid 20's and mid 30's that is better for us.

Some are predicting Kyle will be the first bid on. If that happens we will take him anyway. He is too good not to and he's a bolter. I like bolters. They get the job done and with a bolter you know they are maturing fast.

A good comparison though..i think

 

[RUNVS]

No, he just gets a spot in the AFL Academy side next year.

Still his call who he chooses.

From what some people were saying on bigfooty I think he is leaning towards North right now unfortunately.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

From what some people were saying on bigfooty I think he is leaning towards North right now unfortunately.

If he chooses them, so be it.

I've always thought he'd choose them anyways.

 

[liz]

I

I think it was as a mid fwd or wing he won the rising star.. . His first year playing ones.
It was under Roos he won his first Brownlow playing ruck in 2003

Nah. We had a ruck crisis that year and Goodes stepped up to fill in. He probably started out the season elsewhere but I think Stafford got injured quite early in the season and we didn’t really have anyone else.

AFL Tables - 1999 Stats - Player Lists

 

[DeathlyAccurate]

From what some people were saying on bigfooty I think he is leaning towards North right now unfortunately.

Not according to his dad just recently.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Not according to his dad just recently.

Was that in a recent interview he did?

 

[RUNVS]

Not according to his dad just recently.

What did his dad say?

Also as much as teens would love to play for their parents club, I imagine the appeal of staying in your home state would be pretty strong too.

 

[Bloods86]

From what some people were saying on bigfooty I think he is leaning towards North right now unfortunately.

Someone mentioned it, but didn't back it up I think.

I would assume that staying home, with family, at a better club would probably win out. Yeah, North are in Vic, but it's North...

 

[RUNVS]

Someone mentioned it, but didn't back it up I think.

I would assume that staying home, with family, at a better club would probably win out. Yeah, North are in Vic, but it's North...

In theory North should be on the upswing at the moment, so hopefully North do North things and are still in the bottom 6 next year.