Talking Footy

Isaac Heeney will take up another first round spot, but end up in Sydney; unless something dramatic happens. it's likely clubs will force the Swans to use their first pick on the midfielder, a Swans Academy player.

Heeney has found ways to dominate even training sessions on the AIS-AFL Academy camp, the last one of its kind, with the program to be renamed the AFL National Academy next year given the Australian Insitute of Sport's decision to no longer attach its name.

Abe Davis showing forward form in U18s
Callum Twomey
June 28, 2014 5:32 PM


Abe Davis is showing plenty of talent this year as a forward target
LAST year, Abe Davis showed his talents as a strong-marking, creative defender. Two games into this year's division two NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, Davis is showing plenty of encouraging signs at the other end of the ground. The 193cm Davis kicked two goals and had 15 disposals in New South Wales-ACT's nine-point win over Tasmania on Saturday at Windy Hill, and was influential in setting up a few more. In a tight-fought win – the Rams took the points 8.9 (57) to 7.6 (48) – Davis presented well and kicked nicely. Tied to the Sydney Swans through their zone academy, some recruiters predict Davis could cost the club its second-round NAB AFL Draft selection. The Rams' win means the division two title will be decided when they meet Queensland, also unbeaten, at Etihad Stadium this Wednesday afternoon. There were many other contributors for the Rams, with ruckman Isaac Muller continuing his strong form. The 196cm big man from North Albury was one of his side's best, gathering 17 disposals and 33 hit-outs in a dominant display. He fed a bevy of midfielders who fought hard in game that was at times fiery, with Jacob Hopper (21 touches, seven clearances) Isaac Heeney (18 disposals) and Callum Mills (17) impressive. Tyler Roos also had 18 disposals, with the possible Brisbane Lions' father-son selection collecting five clearances and offering strong drive through the wings. Though the Rams were well-fancied heading into the clash, and are expected to have a strong draft crop this year, Tasmania fought hard all day. It was 17-year-old forward Nick Dodge, not eligible for the draft until next year, who stood up for Tasmania, kicking five goals and making the most of his chances. Tim Jones, a hard-working and consistent midfielder, found 26 disposals, while Josh McGuinness had another busy day across half-back with 19 touches.

NEW SOUTH WALES/ACT 1.1 4.2 6.5 8.9 (57)
TASMANIA 1.2 2.3 5.4 7.6 (48)

GOALS
NSW-ACT: Davis 2, Coughlan, Finlayson, Foote, Heeney, Mahady, Steele
Tasmania: Dodge 5, Fox, Hayden

BEST
NSW-ACT: Muller, Heeney, Davis, Roos, Steele, Hopper
Tasmania: Dodge, Jones, McGuinness, Hislop, Rainbird

Andrew Dunkley during his playing days at Sydney Photo: ALLSPORT
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By EMMA QUAYLE
Josh Dunkley would love to play for Sydney, if he does enough in the next 18 months to convince the club to take him on. Dunkley is eligible to join the Swans as a father-son selection at the end of 2015, but it was reported last year that his father’s strained relationship with the club in recent years might affect his future. Andrew Dunkley played 217 games in defence for Sydney – and in the 1996 grand final – before moving to Gippsland to start coaching after he retired in 2002. Andrew Dunkley during his playing days at Sydney. Josh has already played two seasons of senior football in Sale, debuting as a 15-year-old, and captained the AIS-AFL Academy’s level one squad on its trip to New Zealand in January. He is one of a handful of talented players Sydney has first call on this year and next, starting with midfielder Isaac Heeney, who will demand the club’s first round pick this year under the bidding system. Heeney is part of the Swans Academy, as is Abe Davis, who the club may also nominate this year. Onballer Callum Mills, a 2015 prospect like Dunkley, was the best division two player at last year’s under-16 championships. Dunkley said he had no intention of telling the Swans he didn’t want to go there, and he would be grateful to play for them or any other AFL team if he got the chance. “If I could get into the Sydney system, it's a pretty great system and I’d definitely love to go there," he said. "But having said that, I’d love to go anywhere: Melbourne, Brisbane, wherever. “I’m just doing everything I can think of to get drafted, and anywhere that takes me would be good.” Dunkley was impressive playing through the midfield for Vic Country in its come-from-behind win over Vic Metro in Sunday’s opening under-18 championships game. The 17-year-old’s 13 possessions included six clearances and three inside-50s, and he laid seven tackles playing around the midfield. He is working hard at increasing his fitness and being able to cover more ground. “I haven’t spoken to the Swans too much so far, but I met some of the recruiting people over in New Zealand and they said they were happy to just let me play and that we’d see how things go," said Dunkley, a Sydney supporter. “I’m not sure where that story came from – I just remember going to school one day and everyone saying, 'What’s going on, don't you like the Swans?’ – but it’s something I haven’t really thought about. I just have to do everything I can to be my best and if any club wants to have me then I’d be happy with that.”

Fred wrote:

Yes, with the amount of nsw and Sydney based players now on lists this is proving to be good for increasing interest in the game. Without the tradition pathways or quality level of them, the academies help provide this to identified talent. Although a number of schools on the gold cost now have AFL excellence programmes.

Fred wrote:

Yes, with the amount of nsw and Sydney based players now on lists this is proving to be good for increasing interest in the game. Without the tradition pathways or quality level of them, the academies help provide this to identified talent. Although a number of schools on the gold cost now have AFL excellence programmes.

Raiderdave wrote:

:_<> :_<> :_<> :_<> :_<> :_<>

so

some ********* from the Riverina & a few who even aren't from NSW fumbled bumbled & derped in some uncoathon somewhere

&

pretend solider general Rambo
thinks the salary cap cheating filth ... the Swines.. future is assured




>


:_<> :_<> :_<> :_<> :_<> :_<>

Oh field Marshall Rambo
what a clown you are

Fred wrote:

Jarred mcveigh, Brandon jack, keiren jack, Lewis Robert Thompson ... That's 4 from Sydney I know playing for Sydney

Swans4ever wrote:

Fred wrote:

Jarred mcveigh, Brandon jack, keiren jack, Lewis Robert Thompson ... That's 4 from Sydney I know playing for Sydney

I love how he says that Kieran Jack is ex pat Vic!

Others-
Lloyd Perris - St.George
Craig Bird - Nelson Bay
Ben McGlynn - Wentworth
Jarred McVeigh - Pennant Hills
Brandon Jack - Pennant Hills
Lewis Robert-Thompson - North Shore
Dane Rampe - Clovelly
Harry Cunningham - Wagga Wagga (so there's one from the Riverina)
Daniel Robinson - Mosman
Sam Naismith - Gunnedah

So out of ten players only ONE from the Riverina and One from Wentworth - the rest either Sydney or North of Sydney - and other AFL players
Lenny Hayes St.Kilda - Pennant Hills
Ben Dowdell Adelaide - Nowra
Richard Newell Brisbane - East Sydney
Jarrod Witts Collingwood - St.Ives
Sam Gilbert St.Kilda - St.George
Dylan Addison GWS - St.George
Jake Ferguson St.Kilda - Holroyd - Parramatta
Wil Sierakowski North Melb - Riverview St.Ignatius
Will Langford Hawthorn - East Sydney
Craig Moller Freo - Cronulla
Michael Hartley Collingwood - Penrith

So out of 50 players in the AFL there are approx 20 from Sydney or North of Sydney - but aren't they all ex pat Vic's or from the Riverina????

Pissy pants just give up - just because NRL just has ONE player from outside NSW/QLD in it doesn't mean you have to be so jealous!!!!!

Raiderdave wrote:

Swans4ever wrote:

Fred wrote:

Jarred mcveigh, Brandon jack, keiren jack, Lewis Robert Thompson ... That's 4 from Sydney I know playing for Sydney

I love how he says that Kieran Jack is ex pat Vic!

Others-
Lloyd Perris - St.George
Craig Bird - Nelson Bay
Ben McGlynn - Wentworth
Jarred McVeigh - Pennant Hills
Brandon Jack - Pennant Hills
Lewis Robert-Thompson - North Shore
Dane Rampe - Clovelly
Harry Cunningham - Wagga Wagga (so there's one from the Riverina)
Daniel Robinson - Mosman
Sam Naismith - Gunnedah

So out of ten players only ONE from the Riverina and One from Wentworth - the rest either Sydney or North of Sydney - and other AFL players
Lenny Hayes St.Kilda - Pennant Hills
Ben Dowdell Adelaide - Nowra
Richard Newell Brisbane - East Sydney
Jarrod Witts Collingwood - St.Ives
Sam Gilbert St.Kilda - St.George
Dylan Addison GWS - St.George
Jake Ferguson St.Kilda - Holroyd - Parramatta
Wil Sierakowski North Melb - Riverview St.Ignatius
Will Langford Hawthorn - East Sydney
Craig Moller Freo - Cronulla
Michael Hartley Collingwood - Penrith

So out of 50 players in the AFL there are approx 20 from Sydney or North of Sydney - but aren't they all ex pat Vic's or from the Riverina????

Pissy pants just give up - just because NRL just has ONE player from outside NSW/QLD in it doesn't mean you have to be so jealous!!!!!

I said 4 are genuine Sydneysiders you pretend soldier fuckwit
obviously including the Jerks ... I means Jacks

so 16 are from Sydney
north of Sydney ... aint Sydney capt Rambo
how about the number of games they've played
apart from the Jerks ... Jacks Jacks
its probably only 16 too :_<> :_<> :_<> :_<> :_<>

16
after 33 years ( actually the game has been played in Sydney for well over 100 years )
& probably a Billion dollars spent
that's all they have to show >
jeez .... the way our pretend commando was carrying on you'd think it was many more then that

I think its back into the back yard for some belly crawling & pretending you're under fire General Rambo