Player Watch #16 Braeden Campbell

[Kennedy Parker]

Braeden Campbell
Braeden Campbell was drafted with the fifth overall pick of the 2020 AFL Draft and has enjoyed an exciting start to life as a Swan. Recruited from Pennant Hills Demons, Campbell is revered for his brilliant versatility and exceptional left-foot kick. He made his AFL debut in Round 1 of the 2021 season and was voted as the Round 2 NAB Rising Star nominee after recording 25 disposals and six marks against the Adelaide Crows. The 21-year-old has improved year on year missing just one match in 2023 and set several career-best performances in the process.
Pick 5

Braeden Campbell | AFL

Follow Braeden Campbell's progress through AFL

www.sydneyswans.com.au

 

[bedford]

He has the tools. But for whatever reason he just isn't able to piece it all together. He's got talent, that's clear to see.

I don't think putting him in the middle will be much help, the big dogs In there are going to get theirs first and it's not going to help his confidence.

I suggest playing him forward. Apply pressure , and get to positions where he can apply his foot skills. There is no greater confidence booster as kicking a couple of goals

Who does he replace forward ?

 

[tombomb]

Who does he replace forward ?

Every time there is a discussion about a young player improving, someone says 'who does he replace?'

Like we are the NBA dream team with 22 superstars hard coded into their positions.

 

[Millky95]

He has the tools. But for whatever reason he just isn't able to piece it all together. He's got talent, that's clear to see.

I don't think putting him in the middle will be much help, the big dogs In there are going to get theirs first and it's not going to help his confidence.

I suggest playing him forward. Apply pressure , and get to positions where he can apply his foot skills. There is no greater confidence booster as kicking a couple of goals

If Hayward left he was my direct replacement for him. Less overheard marking but more tackling pressure and good kicks inside 50

 

[bedford]

Every time there is a discussion about a young player improving, someone says 'who does he replace?'

Like we are the NBA dream team with 22 superstars hard coded into their positions.

With respect it's a completely different issue as he's never been a forward

 

[Millky95]

With respect it's a completely different issue as he's never been a forward

Didn't he win BOG in an U18 final as a HFF? Kicking like 3 goals and getting over 20 touches? Like a peak 2022 Heeney?

 

[dosser]

With respect it's a completely different issue as he's never been a forward

Just re-read Rookieme's draft profile on him. He played as a forward who rotated through the middle through the academy years and the skills listed to be improved were ball handling (a bit fumbly) and accumulation (didn't get enough of the ball). Unfortunately, I think he still has those characteristics and at the moment is someone who can run a burst at pace and who can generally kick well. The problem is that we have another one or two of them in the VFL as well, and I think what will set them apart is their personal drive and hunger for the ball.

I'm beginning to think that maybe Campbell's biggest problem is that he went 20-25 places too early in the draft - and that's not his fault.

 

[bedford]

Maybe at senior level , my bad. Anyhow i think he's tradable

 

[tombomb]

Didn't he win BOG in an U18 final as a HFF? Kicking like 3 goals and getting over 20 touches? Like a peak 2022 Heeney?

That game seems to have shot him up about 20 spots too high in the draft.

I remember watching it and thinking E Hollands was clearly bog.

 

[tombomb]

Maybe at senior level , my bad. Anyhow i think he's tradable

He needs to get a lot tougher. But he is a local boy, he is contracted. He is worth persisting with.

 

[GoTheSwannies]

I dont think we'd get much for him in terms of trade value. But given he's an academy product, and has some good tools I'd definitely persist with him. I think with him the confidence will come with age and experience. The fact that Gulden, Warner and blakey have gone a couple of levels above may be impacting his confidence. But I think if the club show faith in him he may develop into a really good player for us. Hopefully he develops into a consistent performer, similar to Cunningham's trajectory - I'd be happy with that result.

 

[Jewelsbon]

He needs to get a lot tougher. But he is a local boy, he is contracted. He is worth persisting with.

I've never spoken to him or can't say I've even seen a real interview with him, but he appears to me to be a timid kind of bloke, maybe the problem is between the ears.
Would be ridiculously crazy to get rid of him and I'd be stunned if that was ever to eventuate.

 

[the hypnotoad]

i have faith in campbell, i think he will eventually be a very good player ... i think he's smart, and tougher than many think ... i think he needs to find confidence, and it would be a real shame to think he has to find that at another club
he has a glorious left boot, there has to be a way he can become a genuinely good senior player

 

[dosser]

i have faith in campbell, i think he will eventually be a very good player ... i think he's smart, and tougher than many think ... i think he needs to find confidence, and it would be a real shame to think he has to find that at another club
he has a glorious left boot, there has to be a way he can become a genuinely good senior player

Averages 76.5% effective disposals this year, so I'll give him that. I just wish he would get the ball more.

 

[the hypnotoad]

Averages 76.5% effective disposals this year, so I'll give him that. I jusy wish he would get the ball more.

so does he

 

[Nuggetz]

Imo he's got good goal kicking ability, like it's natural to him. I'd like to see him play in our forward half a bit more, as he can be another goal kicking threat imo. Maybe he needs to find his voice a bit more to demand the ball?

A bit tricky for him since he's right on the bubble so he'd be conscious of also not overplaying his hand & focusing on his role.

I think he has massive potential & is a local player, so happy to give him more time to establish himself. He could be one of those players that builds up slowly until it all finally clicks a little later. A bit like Florent.

 

[The King!]

I think people are forgetting how good his best is.

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

Campbell gets some more game time. Excellent rotation policy whilst Fox remains in the VFL getting game time. If Braeden hits his straps with more time in the firsts we will have created yet another option / contingency for the finals.

 

[bedford]

Must have dodgy pics of Horse

 

[The King!]

Better yesterday, but still ends up playing deep, especially once Harry went off and then he does those panic hack kicks. Ends up with 4 turnovers in 13 touches,

Kicked a great goal and ran hard, the good was good, the bad was a little glaring and he still plays this odd role. Perhaps needed the odd run in the guts to help others shake a tag

 

[BloodySwan]

Better yesterday, but still ends up playing deep, especially once Harry went off and then he does those panic hack kicks. Ends up with 4 turnovers in 13 touches,

Kicked a great goal and ran hard, the good was good, the bad was a little glaring and he still plays this odd role. Perhaps needed the odd run in the guts to help others shake a tag

There was a centre bounce in the 3rd quarter and it was Jordon, Cleary and Rowbottom and all I was thinking is "what the hell is this? They're going to get smashed" which is exactly what happened.

I find it strange how willing they are to play some in the middle but others they won't give a moment

 

[Dubai Quacker]

I had to find a positive among all the gloom yesterday.

He’s it.

 

[Wheresbuddy]

I had to find a positive among all the gloom yesterday.

He’s it.

I agree, he was pretty good. That goal he kicked was a ripper. Would rather the ball in his hands at 50 than Logan's.

 

[bedford]

I agree, he was pretty good. That goal he kicked was a ripper. Would rather the ball in his hands at 50 than Logan's.

So did Logan

 

[DobmusEdge]

I agree, he was pretty good. That goal he kicked was a ripper. Would rather the ball in his hands at 50 than Logan's.

We should be using him like that all day every day. No idea why it’s taken deep into his fourth season before he’s got a handball give just outside the 50.

 

[hairy biker]

I think Campbell is indicative of an issue we have in team selection.
The match committee clearly wants Campbell in the side but are having some difficulty in finding his most effective position.

Heat maps from yesterday's game (kicking to right of picture)
Campbell Roberts Fox


In our run to the 2022 GF Fox replaced Cunningham and IMO that defensive role is the one he is best suited.
In yesterday's match we brought he and Roberts into the team and because we also had Campbell, Fox started off in a less effective fwd role and then later drifted back, although not as deep as I would like.
The overlap between Campbell & Roberts is clear and all 3 players were most active in a similar spot.
Campbell & Fox played 80% of game time , Roberts 46% (subbed out at 3Q time).

IMO Fox is the best defender of the 3 and should take the Cunningham role in deep defence, Campbell rotating wing and HF and I don't think we should play all 3 in the same team.