The QBE Sydney Swans Academy’s Under 18s made the most of the breezy conditions on Saturday to trump GWS Academy by one point in the second round of the 2016 Academy Series.
The thrilling contest at Moore Park’s Lakeside Oval came down to the final quarter where the home side used the end-to-end breeze to storm home, the 8.7 (55) to 8.6 result clinched with a goal in the dying minutes.
Ruckman Liam Maze gathered a loose ball with only minutes to spare and snapped truly to clinched the Swans’ second consecutive win of the series.
“Who said big men can’t kick goals on the run?” Crouch joked in the post-match review.
The win marked the second win on the trot for the Under 18s following a dominant performance on March 5 at Tom Wills Oval.
“There was huge relief from the boys at the end of the game, a lot of them haven’t tasted success against the Giants for a long time so to get two in a row is a good thing for their confidence.
“Some of the football was really good and the type of football we want to play at the Swans.”
Nathan Cooper booted three goals while midfielder Max Lower and second ruck Joe Stapleton also impressed.
The win sews up the three-game series against GWS Academy with only one more match remaining – on April 3 in Canberra.
The Under 18s might have to contend with losing a host of players with many firming as top ups for the NEAFL Swans when that competition gets underway on the same weekend.
In light of this, Crouch remains confident in fielding an ultra-competitive side for the final clash against our cross-town rivals.
“It simply provides others with an opportunity and more guys to have a look at,” he added.
In the earlier game, the QBE Sydney Swans Academy Under 16s couldn’t hold on against a bigger bodied GWS.
The hosts were in the game for three quarters before running out of puff in the decider, going down 10.6 (66) to 16.6 (102).
“The 16s are playing good footy, both games come three-quarter-time it’s been close but they’ve just been overrun,” Crouch said.
“They’ve just got to keep working at it, one more game to turn the tables. A lot more development left in these guys.”
Christian Loone and Austin Clark were the standouts while Nick Blakey finished with three majors.
Under 18s
QBE Sydney Swans Academy 8.7 (55)
GWS Giants Academy 8.6 (54)
Goals - Nathan Cooper 3, Jake Brown, Max Lower, Eli Prescott, Jack Hardman, Liam Maze 1
Best - Callum McFadden, Luke Robertson, Nathan Cooper, Joe Stapleton, Max Lower, Hamish MacDonald, Jared Deep
Under 16s
QBE Sydney Swans Academy 10.6 (66)
Goals - Nick Blakey, Christian Loone, Austin Clark, Caleb Felton, Johnny Pawle, Fred Tricks, Rory Barkley
