David Swallow

[swansfan51]

Swallow is almost the forgotten man of the draft. It is an unusual situation this year, where 1 team has the first 3 picks, made even more unusual by the fact they have been allowed to nominate him a year in advance to join their list. The fact he is out of reach of the other 16 clubs is probably the reason why he is not mentioned very often on this board, and I think he doesn't have anywhere near the profile that previous top picks like Scully and Watts had for months leading up to the draft.

So this thread is a quick reminder of just how good this guy is, and since we already know where he's going to be playing, he isn't really a 'draft prospect'. He won the Larke medal in 2009 as the best player in the u18 championships, ahead of the stars of the '09 draft like Scully, Trengove and Martin. He did that while he was considerably younger than all of them, almost a year younger than Trengove. When you consider that all 3 of those players are being touted by their supporters as future stars of the game, its worth remembering that Swallow was outplaying them and hasn't had his chance to shine yet.

He's an extremely complete package, with good awareness and excellent decision-making. He also has a more mature body than many draftees, no doubt assisted by the year he has had to train professionally on the Gold Coast. He is definitely not lacking in offensive hurt factor, not just with his disposal which is well above average, but he averages more than a goal a game in the VFL. Trengove was praised for his performances in the SANFL, which were said to demonstrate his readiness for AFL football. Swallow has played the full year in the VFL, which is a stronger league, and has been bordering on dominant. Very few bottom-age draftees have an entire year of senior experience before making their AFL debut, and those that do are normally in the WAFL, not in the VFL because of the TAC competition. Some of the Gold Coast's youngsters like Swallow, Weller and Matera are in a unique position when they eventually enter the AFL arena, because they've had a better preparation than past draftees could possibly hope for.

This isn't to discredit any of the 2009 draftees, but they are the best yardstick for Swallow due to his absence from u18 competitions this year. In my opinion he is the most complete and well-rounded midfielder to be drafted for quite a while. Would welcome other people's thoughts on him as well.

 

[Pykie]

Good post.



IMO Swallow is a few levels above Scully & Trengove.


One of the best #1 picks to come through the system.


Ever.


As you said, Trengove was being praised for his efforts as a 17/18 year old in the SANFL.


Swallow had 30+ disposals and kicked 5 goals against Casey on the weekend, and there isn't so much as a peep.

As you said, he's averaging 25+ and a goal a game in the strongest league in the country with all its AFL player depth.....

Not withstanding, he was playing in the WAFL as a 16 year old.


The next big thing.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

Good post.

IMO Swallow is a few levels above Scully & Trengove.
One of the best #1 picks to come through the system.
Ever.
As you said, Trengove was being praised for his efforts as a 17/18 year old in the SANFL.

Swallow had 30+ disposals and kicked 5 goals against Casey on the weekend, and there isn't so much as a peep.

As you said, he's averaging 25+ and a goal a game in the strongest league in the country with all its AFL player depth.....

Not withstanding, he was playing in the WAFL as a 16 year old.

The next big thing.

correction he had 20 disposals and 5 goals .... still a very good display (i watched the game on ABC tv) very cool under pressure and silky skills

you say he is a fair few levels above Scully and Trengove... settle down mate, he is good, very good, and i think he could go down as the best number 1 draft pick in a long time, and while he is tearing up the VFL, Scully and Trengove are averagin 20 + possies in the AFL, as is Martin, and even Bastinac (might be a touch under 20 now, not sure)... im not disagreeing with you, i just think you are grossly exaggerating his abilities as all of the players you have mentioned have been excellent first year players

 

[crowsarethebest]

Would have to agree.. the guy is an absolute freak. He certainly is one of the best and most complete packages to come out of the draft in a while. Has it all really, top notch vision, good disposal, in and under ability etc. Was good enough to play AFL last year.

 

[Pykie]

correction he had 20 disposals and 5 goals .... still a very good display (i watched the game on ABC tv) very cool under pressure and silky skills

you say he is a fair few levels above Scully and Trengove... settle down mate, he is good, very good, and i think he could go down as the best number 1 draft pick in a long time, and while he is tearing up the VFL, Scully and Trengove are averagin 20 + possies in the AFL, as is Martin, and even Bastinac (might be a touch under 20 now, not sure)... im not disagreeing with you, i just think you are grossly exaggerating his abilities as all of the players you have mentioned have been excellent first year players

I never discredited Scully and Trengove.

Swallow is just better, as I said, a few levels above.


If Swallow was on an AFL list, I have no doubt he would be averaging similar numbers, if not more, and be one of the favourites for the rising star atm, even at 17.



You must remember, he is doing this in the VFL when Scully and Martin were running around for Dandenong and Bendigo at the same age.



Swallow is the complete package, its hard to look classy in the VFL, he will split games apart next year in the space and unaccountability of AFL midfields.


As was said above by crows, the kid was good enough for AFL level at 16, let alone at 18.

 

[estibador]

The year after Freo was formed Clive Waterhouse was the no.1 pick.

The year after the GC was formed David Swallow is the no.1 pick.

FML

 

[Gazza_11]

I made a thread for him after his first game in the VFL. He is going to be an absolute jet. Whether or not he's going to be better than Scully I don't know but his speed, ball use and ground work are to die for.

 

[WALL-e]

ON a loser note, he's a DT's wet dream. Kid is ready to go.

He tore Casey apart on Saturday.

 

[Eastern Rangers]

He's a Great footballer and a great athlete. An elite junior
Footballer as you will ever see but also one with plenty of physical development to come.

His brother is still improving and David can do the same.

 

[WALL-e]

He;s a bit different to a Parker in terms of being ready built.

You see Swallow and know there's more developement in his body, he's quick, agile etc. Scary prospect and by far the best mid in this draft pool.

The GC have a lot of reasons to be happy.

 

[JADED]

So depressing. The year West Coast are near certain to finsh bottom, there's a W.A kid looking like being one of the best #1 picks to date.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

I never discredited Scully and Trengove.

Swallow is just better, as I said, a few levels above.


If Swallow was on an AFL list, I have no doubt he would be averaging similar numbers, if not more, and be one of the favourites for the rising star atm, even at 17.



You must remember, he is doing this in the VFL when Scully and Martin were running around for Dandenong and Bendigo at the same age.



Swallow is the complete package, its hard to look classy in the VFL, he will split games apart next year in the space and unaccountability of AFL midfields.


As was said above by crows, the kid was good enough for AFL level at 16, let alone at 18.

no i agree, you didnt discredit them, i just think saying he is a fair few levels above them is a bit over the top... how many levels are there in the elite form (AFL)?? because does a fair few levels mean he will be elite next season??? or does it mean that he will already be a good AFL player?

 

[Barnzy]

Good post.



IMO Swallow is a few levels above Scully & Trengove.


One of the best #1 picks to come through the system.


Ever.


As you said, Trengove was being praised for his efforts as a 17/18 year old in the SANFL.


Swallow had 30+ disposals and kicked 5 goals against Casey on the weekend, and there isn't so much as a peep.

As you said, he's averaging 25+ and a goal a game in the strongest league in the country with all its AFL player depth.....

Not withstanding, he was playing in the WAFL as a 16 year old.


The next big thing.

Interesting.

Kid does look good no doubt but going off that description he will be an AFL great.

What about the likely non-GC mids such as Atley, Caddy, etc? How far are they behind him in your opinion? Are they on a similar level to Scully, Trengove, Martin or even a bit behind them?

 

[JR SWALLOW]

Interesting.

Kid does look good no doubt but going off that description he will be an AFL great.

What about the likely non-GC mids such as Atley, Caddy, etc? How far are they behind him in your opinion? Are they on a similar level to Scully, Trengove, Martin or even a bit behind them?

Atley and caddy are light years from swallows ability this kid is the most promising youngster since judd.And those two would be behind the likes of scully,trengrove and martin not by much but from what those three have shown to date id say martin ahead of trengrove then scully i think thats a fair call you should be stoked, be interesting if melbourne had their time again having seen all three this year how they would select if it was me id go martin, trengrove.

 

[borrat]

it will be interesting to see how he will cope with number 1 tag every week assuming ablett doesnt go

and even if ablett does go he will certainly cop a fair bit of tagging

 

[ROYAL EAGLE]

I have been saying for a while he is the most complete junior footballer I have ever seen.

Unlike most first year players David Swallow goes both ways, the defensive side of his game is exceptional for a class ball winner.

Will have a career like a Nathan Buckley.

Personally think he is the best player drafted in the last ten years.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

I have been saying for a while he is the most complete junior footballer I have ever seen.

Unlike most first year players David Swallow goes both ways, the defensive side of his game is exceptional for a class ball winner.

Will have a career like a Nathan Buckley.

Personally think he is the best player drafted in the last ten years.

hasn't been drafted yet but i see your point, from what i saw, his tackling was immense, his speed was good, calm, collected, great goal awareness, didn't see a lot of his kicking in general play but i have heard it is class, but considering ablett, bartel, selwood, etc.. have been drafted in the last ten years, i think that statement is a little premature... he hasn't played an AFL game yet

 

[yaco55]

hasn't been drafted yet but i see your point, from what i saw, his tackling was immense, his speed was good, calm, collected, great goal awareness, didn't see a lot of his kicking in general play but i have heard it is class, but considering ablett, bartel, selwood, etc.. have been drafted in the last ten years, i think that statement is a little premature... he hasn't played an AFL game yet

I think that you misinterpreted Royal Eagle's post.

I believe that he is referring to Swallow's record as a Junior Footballer.

 

[Tomnat Tigers]

Lets just wait to he plays afl first!Also who has more skill/talent him or bennel.

 

[Pykie]

Lets just wait to he plays afl first!Also who has more skill/talent him or bennel.

Swallow, by alot.

 

[Bourky23]

I
Unlike most first year players David Swallow goes both ways, the defensive side of his game is exceptional for a class ball winner.

Will have a career like a Nathan Buckley.

There's a contradiction if i've ever seen one

 

[Brad Roo]

Boy, what I'd give to see this kid join his brother at Arden Street.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

I remember a similar level of hype about Bryce Gibbs.

Just sayin'

 

[Brad Roo]

I remember a similar level of hype about Bryce Gibbs.

Just sayin'

This kid puts his head over the ball.

 

[SillyKent]

I find it hard to believe he is a human.