David Swallow, this year’s AFL National Draft number one draft pick, will play for the Gold Coast SUNS until at least 2013 after agreeing to extend his contract by a further twelve months.
Swallow joined the Gold Coast SUNS from East Fremantle in 2009 as a 16-year-old - twelve months before his ‘Draft year’ - on the promise of 2010 National Draft selection.
The explosive midfielder enjoyed an outstanding 2010 VFL season, one that say him finish only a few votes short of claiming the JJ Liston Trophy for the competition’s fairest and best player.
Swallow said he was delighted to have his future shored up.
“It’s definitely great to know I'm now going to be here beyond next year so I'm rapt. It’s really exciting,” he said.
Swallow said his first AFL pre season was proving tough but he was travelling well so far.
"It’s definitely a step up from last year that's for sure but it's going really well. I'm really enjoying it. They're really pushing us hard but that how it's got to be if we're going to be ready for next year."
Senior Coach Guy McKenna said he was delighted about the new deal.
“His first twelve months has obviously excited us and as one of our youngest players, for him to have the season he had there’s certainly a bright future for him.”
He praised Swallow’s extraordinary training ethic.
“Talent aside, his ability to work hard is exemplary,” he said.
“Last season we had some senior guys like Sammy Iles, Danny Stanley and Dan Harris and Michael Coad really setting a standard for us, but then you’ve got this young kid having to pulled aside after a Wednesday training session to be told ‘mate, you’re actually doing too much’. He just sets a magnificent example and will continue to do so.”
Gold Coast SUNS Football Manager Marcus Ashcroft said the timing Swallow’s signing was another significant step forward for the club.
“We just ticked over 7000 members, and on the back of the introduction of our draftees and signing up big Zac Smith to a similar kind of deal a few weeks back, this is definitely an exciting time for Dave and the club as a whole.”
Ashcroft confirmed the club’s view that if things continue to track as they should, Swallow would be ready for AFL football in 2011.
“He was top five in the Liston Trophy and top four in our own best and fairest, so we know he can play. We just need to see him continue to develop. But you think from what we’ve seen so far he’d be ready to go in our first game next season.”
