AN EXCITING four-goal burst in the second quarter from enticing prospect Nick Blakey helped break the game open for the Sydney Academy against the Gold Coast Academy on Saturday at Blacktown International Sportspark.
Blakey, the son of former North Melbourne and Fitzroy player John, is eligible to go to the Roos or Brisbane Lions as a father-son selection, and also to the Swans as an academy player.
He finished the game with 18 disposals – all of them kicks – and six marks.
At 194cm, Blakey is a competitive player whose leap is one of his assets. He reads the game well and can also go into the middle if required.
His goalkicking needs a little work but he managed 4.1 on Saturday.
Teammate Mitchell Rogers had another good game in defence while fellow tall Michael Carroll was also solid down back, but also went forward and kicked two late goals.
Luke Skrivanic slotted three goals straight to go with his 14 disposals and six tackles. The half-forward's speed and ability to win it at ground level on the burst or in the air makes him a dangerous opponent.
In the midfield, Jake Brown (26 disposals, five clearances and 2.2) and Bailey Stewart (22 disposals and a goal) did the job for the Swans.
For Gold Coast, Harry Arnold looked good early but had fewer opportunities later in the game as the Swans took control of the contest. Arnold, who is a tall forward, picked up 12 disposals, six marks and a goal.
Bailey Scott, the son of former North Melbourne and Geelong player Robert, had 16 disposals, five inside-50s and a goal. The Roos, Cats and Swans can all draft Scott at a discount.
Scott plays in a similar manner to his father and is an onballer.
Sam Davidson looked good through the middle with 18 disposals, nine marks and six inside-50s.
SYDNEY ACADEMY 4.3 8.5 10.9 15.11 (101)
GOLD COAST ACADEMY 3.2 3.3 4.5 5.5 (35)
GOALS
Sydney Academy: Blakey 4, Skrivanic 3, Carroll 2, Brown 2, Wicks, Rankin, Carr, Stewart
Gold Coast Academy: Arnold, Foster, Watson, Scott, Beaman
BEST
Sydney Academy: Carroll, Skrivanic, Wicks, Stewart, Osborne, Rogers
Gold Coast Academy: Nutting, Heron, Foster, Smith, Arnold, Davidson
