Sydney Swans, GWS Giants AFLW hopefuls to watch for, NSW/ACT AFL Summer Series results, stars

They are young guns and mature players sharing the same dream – to play AFLW with the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants. Stars and standouts of the NSW/ACT AFL Summer Series finale

Sydney Swans players at the final round of the Summer Series between the Swans and Giants. Pic: Keith McInnes

Sydney Swans and GWS Giants teams shared the spoils in the final round of NSW/ACT AFL Summer Series in Canberra on Sunday.

Devised to showcase the talent pushing for spots in the next AFLW season and future, the event has provided valuable experience to both young and mature players and hailed a resounding success.

New Swans coach Scott Gowans said the Summer Series has given him a closer look at the talent available in NSW as he and recruiters work to put together the inaugural Sydney Swans AFLW team.

Gowans said a number of players stood up and stood out in the final round of the Summer Series at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Sunday.

Players at the new Summer Series played between squads from the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants. Pic: Keith McInnes

SYDNEY SWANS STANDOUTS IN SUMMER SERIES

“Sophie Phillips (Bomaderry Tigers) is a very crafty forward and has the ability define space and kick goals,” Gowans told NewsLocal.

“Jemima Wrigley (Southern Power) is a quick midfielder and has the ability to find space. She really covers the grass well.

“Ella Heads (Inner West Magpies) is a defender who intercept very well, reads the play and has a nice kick.

“Maddy Hendrie (UNSW-ES Bulldogs, East Sydney Juniors) can play tall forward or ruck and has endurance and a long kick. She has great hands and is great off the ground or marking.

“April Devine (Coffs Harbour Breakers) is a strong defender who can play forward, a key positions player. She has very strong hands and pressures really well.”

Players representing the Swans in Canberra on the weekend. Pic: Keith McInnes

GWS Giants head of Academy Cam Bernasconi also had plenty of players catch his eye in the final round.

“They have been lots of benefits to this series, it’s been great for players aspiring to be on the AFLW list.

“It’s been good to expose them to AFL recruiters, not just the young ones but also mature girls and players who haven’t played a lot.

“It’s also been a great platform for coaches to get some professional development.’’

Bernasconi said there were a number of players who stepped up in the final round of games on Sunday in Canberra.

GIANTS Charcoal (ACT/SNSW) vs. GIANTS Orange (Sydney) in an earlier round of the comp.

GWS GIANTS STANDOUTS IN SUMMER SERIES

“Sarah Halvorson (Newcastle City), she has impressed after coming off the Giants list last year,“ he said.

“Eilish Sheerin (Inner West Magpies), she has been super, a player who has showed she has some AFLW traits.

“Then there’s young players like Ela Bishop (Ainslie Tricolours) and Tess Cattle (Ainslie Tricolours) from Canberra.

“These are two 19-year-old’s in academies who have impressed.

“Ela is a quality player with great skills and is super competitive and ticks a lot of our boxes.

“Tess has genuine leg speed and is quite evasive. They have showcase their talent over the last month.

“Then there is Dom Carathers (North Shore Bomber) and Georgia Walker (North shore Bombers) Two girls from Sydney aspiring to get onto a list.

Dom is an explosive midfielder with good leg speed.

“Georgia has real footy smarts thinks her way through the game.

“Then there’s Tanya Kennedy who has come over from Ireland. This is her second year of football and she has been very impressive.”

Players in an early match of the new Summer Series.

SUMMER SERIES 2022 SWANS AND GIANTS RESULTS

March 13, Manuka Oval, Canberra

GIANTS Orange: 9.9.63

Goals: 3 Behan, Naden, Tapugao, Hurrell, Halvorsen, Davis-White, Kitchener

defeated

Swans Red: 1.4.10

Goals: Simpson

Swans White: 6.3.39

Goals: 2 Phillips, 2 Convery, Morris, Lewis

defeated

GIANTS Charcoal: 4.5.29

Goals: Jacques, Woolley-Blain, J. Hamilton

Originally published as Sydney Swans, GWS Giants AFLW hopefuls to watch for, NSW/ACT AFL Summer Series results, stars