The Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy played out an enthralling draw on Sunday afternoon at Blacktown International Sportspark.

The young GIANTS controlled the game early and enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening term, which they used to pull out to a four-goal lead, which they held for the majority of the contest.

Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy Manager, Lachlan Buszard was pleased with the result and full of admiration for the Slater & Gordon Academy players.

“None of these boys had played together and only really met each other the Saturday night before the game, so that made it challenging. But our mantra is to “go out and play” and we came up against a fairly well drilled Swans side coached by Paul Roos.

“To our players credit they got out of the blocks and kicked the first couple of goals, and this helped us hold a three/four goal lead throughout the game.”

“Inaccurate kicking cost us in the end, with us kicking 10.13 to 12.1 so when you add 23 scoring shots to 13, and to have many more inside fifties, it is a little bit disappointing.

“But it is not about the result, but more about what is a great development opportunity and a chance for the players to play on the big stage at Blacktown International Sportspark and showcase their skills to NSW/ACT Rams selectors,” said Buszard.

Buszard was full of praise for the players involved who took everything in their stride despite the unique challenges that they had to face.

“The challenge we have is the tyranny of distance where we don’t get the opportunity to have the group together to train and play and get to know each other. But I think we handled the situation pretty well. We played some games on Saturday night and all the guys went to the GIANTS-Swans game as a group, so at least they knew who was who and their positions.”

The Slater & Gordon Academy players got the chance to witness players developed in GIANTS Riverina zone such as Harry Cunningham and Jacob Townsend in the GIANTS- Swans game on Saturday evening, which is sure to inspire players that their AFL dreams are possible.

The Slater & Gordon GIANTS players will next be in camp from April 17-20 at Parramatta, as they prepare to meet the Swans again in the second game of the Academy Series.

RESULT –

SLATER & GORDON GIANTS Academy 10.13 73- Sydney Swans Academy 12.1 73

Goals – Flaherty 3, Eastman 2, Grills 2, Robinson, Dwyer, Hargraves,

Best- Hargraves, Flaherty, Grills, Baker, Pleming, Eastman