The best of the GIANTS Academy under 18 girls' program will showcase their talents alongside their crosstown rivals over the next two weekends as both the GIANTS and the Swans’ Academies link up to take on Brisbane Lions’ and the Gold Coast Suns’ Academies.
In a special combined Academy side, 12 GIANTS Academy girls and 12 Swans Academy girls will come together to field a team to take on the Lions’ Academy in Brisbane this Sunday before hosting the Suns’ Academy next Sunday in Blacktown.
“These two state academy games are an opportunity for our 12 best academy players and also the Swans’ best 12 to really showcase their talent,” GIANTS Academy girls coach Georgia Walker said.
“It’ll be interesting to see how we come together with the Swans for these two games. The girls haven’t played together as a team before so they’ll be facing challenges of connection which will be exciting to see how they navigate through that.
“These games are also a great warm up for some of our girls to grow confidence and get two extra games of match play under their belts as we head into our four weeks of CTL [Coates Talent League].”
The upcoming games come following a trio of practice matches the GIANTS Academy played earlier this year.
“Our three games in March went really well. It was great to play against Canberra and Sydney under 22s team and see the talent coming through each region, and for us to come together and play our GIANTS way together as a team. The Swans are always a great match up, and we were really challenged and able to put into action some key learnings especially around defence and our contest.”
Walker highlighted a host of young guns from the GIANTS Academy who stood out in last month’s practice matches:
Amelie Prosser-Shaw:
“Playing as an inside mid she showcased her elite speed and transition ability. She also moved into a bit more of a forward role which is great for her versatility.”
Isla Wiencke:
“She led the way as a contested inside mid and also rotated through the forward line which showcased her ability to score and play as a strong forward.”
Lily Quigley:
“We moved her from a wing to a small forward where she really showed her elite speed and agility. She has proven to be a real talent below her knees and has a great ability to crumb the contest.”
Matilda Elbourne:
“Has been a big improver down back and shown great confidence leading the way and locking down any forward she plays on.”
Darcie Prosser-Shaw:
“Showed great speed and drive from the half back, with the ability to intercept.”
Morgan Stevens:
“Demonstrated elite athleticism with an ability to run and bounce and take the game on. Also showed an ability to intercept.”
Hannah Phillips:
“Showed a brilliant ability to win a 1v1, whilst also being able to intercept whether that be high or deep in the defensive 50.”
While Walker has her eyes firmly set on the upcoming games against the two sides from Queensland, she shared her excitement about the CTL season and the benefits that will have on the GIANTS Academy.
“I’m really excited for our CTL games coming up,” she said.
“We had a three-game series earlier this year and we’ve been building off that and we had some really big learnings which the team has really implemented since then.
“The CTL is a great way for our Academy players to get a glimpse of the talent in Victoria and really push themselves against the best, especially those pushing in their current draft year.
“This group is fairly new and has come together really well and really impressed with how much they have challenged themselves to get better and be fitter on their own terms.”
Sunday’s game against the Lions Academy gets under way at Brighton Homes Arena at 9:30am.
