A Swans Academy prospect has reportedly turned his back on a chance to play in the AFL.
The Sydney Swans have reportedly lost out in their cross-code tug-of-war with NRL club the Canterbury Bulldogs for access to Academy young gun Mitchell Woods.
Woods is eligible for the 2024 AFL Draft and had been viewed as a live chance to join the Swans at the end of next year pending a consistent and strong draft campaign.
The Swans Academy prospect was selected in the U16 All-Australian side last year and would earn a place in the Future Stars game at the MCG on grand final day last September to be viewed among the leading names for next year’s draft.
Woods would also represent NSW-ACT in a recent U17s clash with Vic Metro, with the 179cm talent rated as an agile midfielder and one of the latest teenagers gaining attention out of the Swans Academy.
The dual-code talent has also turned heads at Canterbury, winning the Harold Matthews Cup Player of the Year title this year in the Bulldogs’ development program and would be selected for the NSW U17s invitation squad as one of the leading halfbacks for his age group.
The impressive prospect is now said to have made a call on his future, with The Sydney Morning Herald reporting Woods has committed to a long-term deal with the Bulldogs’ NRL program.
Woods’ decision comes 12 months out from when the Swans would’ve been able to secure his services at the National Draft, with NRL clubs able to sign emerging prospects before their AFL draft-eligible year.
The matter was flagged by Sydney list manager Kinnear Beatson earlier this year as the Swans continued to compete with Canterbury for access to Woods.
“For Mitch, he can just accept the contract (with Canterbury) and walk to that rugby league team,” Beatson told Gettable in August.
“(There is) no draft (in the NRL), he doesn’t have to worry about whether we match the bid or whatever.
“It [the challenge to compete with the NRL] is real in the New South Wales market. We missed a boy at the start of this year in Navren Willett who went to the Wests Tigers. We thought he had the potential to play key position. He walked straight into the rugby club, no complications, didn’t have to go through a draft.”
Canterbury football boss Phil Gould told The Sydney Morning Herald that the acquisition of Woods is a significant win for the club.
“Mitchell Woods is one of the most extraordinary young talents you can ever imagine,” Gould said.
“In recent years he has played rugby, AFL and rugby league, all at the highest levels of school sport and elite junior academies in these respective sports, all at the same time. There is no doubt he has a future in any one of these sports.
“We actually went and met with the Sydney Swans development staff to discuss his future. We both agreed he could make it in either code, but the time had come for him to specialise in one game.
“Obviously the Bulldogs are grateful Mitchell has chosen to pursue a career in professional rugby league with our club. It’s wonderful for our club, but also great for the game of rugby league. We also know the guys at the Swans will be cheering for him.”
