Live stream: The six Sydney Swans Academy stars to watch in NAB League this season
From raw athletes, a towering fullback and the son of the club legend. These are the Swans you need to watch in the NAB League. Find out how you can stream it LIVE.
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They are the next generation of the Sydney Swans, and they know over the next month is when it counts the most.
The Swans Academy will join the AFL’s premier development competition, the NAB League, as one of four northern Academies to contest the opening month of competition.
For the players, it is a chance to put themselves squarely in the eye of the AFL’s top talent scouts ahead of this season’s draft.
WATCH THE SWANS ACADEMY AGAINST NORTHERN KNIGHTS LIVE FROM 2.15PM AT THIS LINK
The Daily Telegraph will be following the progress of the four northern Academies over the next month as part of our exclusive season-long live stream coverage of the NAB League.
The Swans will be the first side to feature this weekend, with their opening round clash against Northern Knights to be streamed live from 2.15pm, Saturday.
Swans Academy head Chris Smith said his players would be hungry and desperate to put their cases forward in the limited window they had.
“This level of competition is important for our boys because when they are back home they are playing in local leagues where you have to wait three or four weeks to play really strong opposition,” Smith said.
“For the Victorian players, they are playing week in and week out at that level.
“The fact we get four games is crucial. The players know they have to be prepared and right to go for these next four rounds or they get pushed back to local club football and get overlooked when it comes to the draft.
“The fact they have missed out on two years of football, recruiters have not seen them in action. They need to have eyes on them.”
Smith believes there is definitely talent in the Swans Academy squad that should be on every AFL club’s draft list and Daily Telegraph subscribers will get the first look at them in action.
It is a group that includes dual-code sporting stars, raw athletic power and the son of a legendary Swans leader.
These are the top Swans future stars you need to keep an eye on in the NAB League.
Luke Giacometti
Midfielder
The tough midfielder is the definition of fitness. Giacometti will run all day through the guts and has plenty of influence on what the Swans do with the ball in hand. Plays long minutes in the middle and the Knights will need someone extremely fit to go with him. Giacometti also possesses a tactical mind on the football field and knows how to work over his opponents weaknesses. No player will outwork the gutsy midfielder.
Will Edwards
Halfback/Fullback
Around the Swans Academy set-up Edwards is dubbed the super athlete. The 196cm tall timber with a shock of blond hair, has been turning heads for a long time after posting impressive numbers at the draft combine last year. Edwards finished in the top three in country over the 20m with a time of 2.82 seconds while he also posted a vertical leap of 74cm. A dual athlete, Edwards’ history on the basketball courts has translated well to the oval and while he may still be learning the intricacies of the game, his athletics prowess gives him a leg up on the competition.
Toby Alker
Halfback
The X-factor in the halfback/midfield for the Swans Academy. Alker is a genuine footballer. The exciting talent has the ability to turn a contest when he is on the ball, and outwits his opponents when in defence. He has the skills that translate across mutliple positions on the field and has constantly found himself pushing up to add an extra body in the midfield. Extremely competitive when on the field but always remains cool under pressure. Regularly in the top three players whenever the Bloods run out.
Christian Webster
Fullback
Another alternative athlete in the Swans Academy backline, the towering Webster has made the conversion from a successful start to life on the soccer fields. Webster will hold down the key position post in the backline, and will provide plenty of highlight reel moments with his athleticism and competitive nature. Was a crucial part of the Swans being able to hold out a strong Gold Coast Suns forward line last month. Dogged in his efforts, the fullback will keep working for the pill through all four quarters.
Indhi Kirk
Midfielder
The eldest son of Swans legend Brett Kirk, Indhi has begun carving out a path of his own to the top flight. An exciting winger, Kirk possess the same dogged determination that made his father a household name this side of the Murray throughout the early 2000s. Another of the freak fitness brigade at the Bloods, Kirk will run all day while it also seems he has unlimited time on the ball with his football nous grown through a lifelong dedication to the Sherrin. He is a player who doesn’t require much coaching and has the motivation to make it in the sport.
Liam Puncher and Tye Gander
Forwards
It was hard to split the Swans two key targets in the forward line. The pair have a penchant for adding to their frequent flyer mileage by climbing well above to pack to bring down overhead hangers. At 196cm, Puncher leads hard into space and has been known to boot it home from 50-60m. Gander is rougher around the edges of the two forwards but has an undeniable tenacity and will keep running through the forward 50m all day long. The two top-agers are both smokey chances to be picked up at the AFL draft later this season.
Originally published as Live stream: The six Sydney Swans Academy stars to watch in NAB League this season
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