Success at the National Draft is the carrot dangling before a raft of QBE Sydney Swans Academy stars.
But while a host of up-and-comers have their sights firmly fixed on realising their AFL dreams in November, Academy head coach Jared Crouch says 2018 is “invaluable” from a learning point of view.
While Nick Blakey is carving out his road to the Draft in the Under-18 Championships, Bailey Stewart, Sam Wicks and Connor Flanagan are staking their claims in the NEAFL.
But as the star quartet and a long list of other Academy young guns eke out every ounce of energy in pursuit of reaching the big time, Crouch says they’re taking crucial lessons in their stride.
“I am absolutely rapt with how Bailey and Sam are going in the NEAFL,” Crouch told SwansTV.
“Bailey and Sam did the full pre-season and are now playing at a really consistent level.
“But more than anything for both of those this year has been about learning about football. As much as you get into this period where you want to put your name forward for the Draft, ultimately football always will be a team sport. From I what see their understanding of what the team’s doing is far greater now and that’s what’s helping them play well.
“Connor Flanagan is another who’s taking simple options. He’s less stressed out and he’s certainly playing good football in the NEAFL.”
Stewart, Wicks and Flanagan all tested their might against AFL-listed talent on Saturday, helping Sydney’s NEAFL side to a 29-point win over the Brisbane Lions in Blacktown.
Stewart collected 16 touches, Wicks recorded 13 possessions and a goal and Flanagan tallied 15 disposals and seven tackles in a phenomenal performance in defence.
Draft-bound youngsters Mitchell Rogers and Dominic Soffe also featured, while Under-18 Academy top-ups Josh Rayner, Luke Parks and Matthew Kannan pulled on the red and white themselves.
Kannan kicked a goal on debut in the Lions clash, a moment Crouch said he would “always remember”.
A number of Academy stars will again face AFL-listed quality when the Swans meet the Giants in Wollongong on Saturday.
Crouch said the NEAFL had presented Academy top-ups of a variety of ages an excellent chance to develop.
“It’s great learning for the younger boys as we start to prepare them for next year,” Crouch said.
“Everyone who’s had an opportunity in the NEAFL over the past couple of weeks have played good football. For the younger boys it’s been invaluable learning as to on-field and off-field expectations of a professional club and what they’re learning when they’re travelling.”
As the NEAFL side carved out a seventh win on the trot in the Round 13 fixture, Blakey, Josh Stern and Joey Reinhard buoyed the Allies in a clash with South Australia in the Under-18 Championships at GMHBA Stadium last Friday.
Blakey booted two goals and impressed with his stellar aerial ability in his second appearance in the five-round competition.
The 18-year-old missed the Allies’ opening match of the competition against Victoria Country and Crouch said he was thrilled to see him back in action.
“He lost three or four kilograms and had to put that back on for his second game,” Crouch said.
“Just to be back feeling healthy, running around, getting a kick was great to see. He’d just be feeling good about himself. It was certainly pleasing to see him back.”
