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

 

[caesar88]

My off-season deep dive #8 is Braeden Campbell.

I will start on a slightly acerbic note and say that I think Campbell is judged too harshly, and I'm almost certain it's because of the expectations that he came with: top 10 academy product, the likes of which we are used to seeing shine pretty much from the second they walk in the door. I feel like this has clouded the judgment of some fans, who make out like he has been a disappointment.

I think Campbell's first few seasons have not been bad. At all. He has had some really promising games that showed he can make it at the level, and he has had plenty of other moments where his natural talent has been obvious. I'm not sure a 21-year old who has played 18 full games needs to have done much more than that in his first few years in the system. Kids who end up cemented in the best 22 in their first year are always the exceptions, not the norms. It's also worth remembering that since his debut, Campbell has been trying to crack into a team that's basically been a top 2-6 side, meaning he hasn't had the luxury of time and opportunities to find his feet. If he was debuting in 2020, he'd be in the team every week and given chances to make mistakes and learn on the fly.

All of the above is why I have never been concerned about how Campbell is doing. For me personally, that changes a little in 2023. This is not to say that I think he needs to have a breakout year or else he's a bust. But what I do want out of this year for Campbell is a sense of direction; that we know where his career is going and the kind of player he can be.

The blueprints for this third-year clarity can be found in the revelations of McCartin as a key defender, and Blakey as a half back, both in their third years. Some have taken even longer - Florent as a half back in his sixth year.

Coaches aren't dumb. Well, at least ours isn't. Horse won't allow a player's career to be flushed down the toilet by trying the same thing over and over, despite not getting results. He no doubt saw the writing on the wall when McCartin produced arguably a better game down back against Charlie Dixon

22

Charlie Dixon

Age

34

Ht

200cm

Wt

110kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.7

3star

K

6.9

3star

HB

4.7

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.2

4star

G

1.6

5star

D

10.5

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

3.5

2star

M

5.0

5star

T

1.5

2star

G

2.5

5star

D

8.2

2star

K

4.4

2star

HB

3.8

3star

M

2.0

3star

T

1.8

4star

G

0.8

4star

than he ever did up forward; or when he saw Blakey dropped to the reserves mid-way through his third year; or when he saw Florent still not having enough impact as a 23 year old.

So far, Horse has tried the half-back experiment, but it hasn't helped Campbell take any significant forward strides. He's tried the "medi-sub" approach which has led to him playing all kinds of roles in all different weeks, but I don't think that's done him any favours yet either (as I mentioned a few posts above.) But Horse & co aren't like fans. They don't get to just throw their hands in the air and give up on a player because they're not bearing immediate rewards. They've signed Campbell until 2025. They have him for another three seasons. They will try every single thing, for as long as they need to, until either they get Campbell where they want him to be, or an unfortunate conclusion is drawn.

For me personally, I hope that this perseverance will eventuate in Campbell being played in the midfield group, probably on the wing in lieu of his mate Gulden, who I think is destined to spend more time on the inside. He finished his season in the VFL last year playing in the midfield, and from training reports, it sounds like he's been with the midfield group over the summer. We will see if it turns out this way once actual games start, whether it's in the AFL or the VFL. But I do think he is best suited to it.

Get him around the ball and in the action. The half-back experiment was likely engineered to play to Campbell's strengths with his penetrating kicking and his electric speed. But maybe those attributes are best suited to the contest, where he can use them as weapons in tight, rather than out in the open space of a flank, akin to Warner.

As for the concerns over his low-possession numbers, I find that a peculiar one, given the way we play. We made a grand final last year ranked 13th in the comp for disposals. We won two finals last year with only one player (Mills in the PF) getting over 25 disposals. Our top 3 in the best & fairest averaged 24, 22 and 18 disposals, respectively. We have become a team that shares the load, full of damaging, incredibly effective, high-impact players who make every touch count - Warner, Rowbottom, Gulden, Mills. Given his speed and skills, Campbell fits that mould to a tee. He's just got to find his place within the team, and given all of those players are in and around the action as part of our midfield group, I don't see any reason Campbell can't join them.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Nail, meet hammer. This is it EXACTLY. Not just for Campbell but in general.

We have become a team that shares the load, full of damaging, incredibly effective, high-impact players who make every touch count - Warner, Rowbottom, Gulden, Mills. Given his speed and skills, Campbell fits that mould to a tee. He's just got to find his place within the team, and given all of those players are in and around the action as part of our midfield group.

The risk for Campbell is that he doesn't find that place, that it is already occupied, or that he is overtaken by newcomers.

Definitely a big year ahead.

 

[RUNVS]

I have said this a few times but for me Campbell has one thing he needed to work on this preseason and that is endurance. Every training session while everyone else is doing ball drills he should just be running around an oval.

I watched him closely last year, both in the first team and in the reserves and he gets good numbers in the first half, finding the ball and having a reasonable influence but he basically drops off a cliff in the second half and disappears. You can't have a player in the team who disappears after half time because they can't run out the game. If he can develop a tank he will be in the best 22, if he can't then he won't be as he has the skill to be an AFL player, it is just a matter of if he has the endurance.

 

[S120]

My opinion of Campbell has always been that he's gonna take a lot longer than his running mate Errol to cement a spot. Errol showed up as a confident, skilled, fit 18 year old who you could see from day one was comfortable in his own skin and had leadership qualities all over him. Campbell doesn't appear as naturally confident in himself as that but in line with most other 18 year olds starting at a club. I think he has also done what a lot of 18-19 year olds do and do everything that the coaches tell him to do and tackle hard, chase hard, go for hard balls when that isn't really what he's most valuable for. Put another way, I think he has been trying to win the respect of the coaches and players by doing the hard stuff when it's the fancier stuff that will see him flourish most in the long run. I have no doubt he has won the respect of the coaches and players for it which is great. And you want a young guy to learn to do the tough stuff as well of course. But the issue is, imo, the stuff he is most valuable for (his kicking) is best used when he is old enough to have won his spot without question which he hasn't quite gotten to yet and when his fitness allows it to be best used. Really that should be this year - year 3 - and I really hope he is allowed time to bed down a position and work away at it.

The tricky thing is we are pretty well stocked on the flanks and on the wing. At HB we have Blakey, Fox, Florent, Lloyd; on the wings we have Errol, McInerney, Stephens; at HF/pocket we have Papley, Wicks, Konstanty, Hayward, Heeney. So there's a lot of competition. I just hope we see some blossoming healthy confidence on his part that none of those guys have the rocket in their leg that he has and that in the current form of seniors AFL, that is insanely valuable.

 

[BloodySwan]

My opinion of Campbell has always been that he's gonna take a lot longer than his running mate Errol to cement a spot. Errol showed up as a confident, skilled, fit 18 year old who you could see from day one was comfortable in his own skin and had leadership qualities all over him. Campbell doesn't appear as naturally confident in himself as that but in line with most other 18 year olds starting at a club. I think he has also done what a lot of 18-19 year olds do and do everything that the coaches tell him to do and tackle hard, chase hard, go for hard balls when that isn't really what he's most valuable for. Put another way, I think he has been trying to win the respect of the coaches and players by doing the hard stuff when it's the fancier stuff that will see him flourish most in the long run. I have no doubt he has won the respect of the coaches and players for it which is great. And you want a young guy to learn to do the tough stuff as well of course. But the issue is, imo, the stuff he is most valuable for (his kicking) is best used when he is old enough to have won his spot without question which he hasn't quite gotten to yet and when his fitness allows it to be best used. Really that should be this year - year 3 - and I really hope he is allowed time to bed down a position and work away at it.

The tricky thing is we are pretty well stocked on the flanks and on the wing. At HB we have Blakey, Fox, Florent, Lloyd; on the wings we have Errol, McInerney, Stephens; at HF/pocket we have Papley, Wicks, Konstanty, Hayward, Heeney. So there's a lot of competition. I just hope we see some blossoming healthy confidence on his part that none of those guys have the rocket in their leg that he has and that in the current form of seniors AFL, that is insanely valuable.

From memory Campbell played mostly in the middle and was always a low possession but high impact player. It only makes sense that it'll take time before his body can compete at an AFL level as he will easily be outmuscled.

In a soccer scenario he would be the ideal player you send out on loan. Someone who can get game time in a club which is less competitive around the middle.

He's got the tools, but you are right. It will be a while before he becomes a regular. I think he'll have more success if he can force himself into the forward line and let him push into the midfield

 

[GotTheGoodes]

Awesome work caesar88!! Thanks for the quality post.

 

[caesar88]

I have said this a few times but for me Campbell has one thing he needed to work on this preseason and that is endurance. Every training session while everyone else is doing ball drills he should just be running around an oval.

I watched him closely last year, both in the first team and in the reserves and he gets good numbers in the first half, finding the ball and having a reasonable influence but he basically drops off a cliff in the second half and disappears. You can't have a player in the team who disappears after half time because they can't run out the game. If he can develop a tank he will be in the best 22, if he can't then he won't be as he has the skill to be an AFL player, it is just a matter of if he has the endurance.

Isn't this true of most young players that don't have an elite tank yet? They fade as games go on, need to be managed in games, etc.

Campbell has averaged 72.3% TOG in his first two seasons. Not exactly Mills or Heeney levels of fitness, but higher than his 2020 counterpart McDonald (71.6%) or a fellow midfielder Rowbottom (71%) managed in their first two years in the system. McDonald is regularly benched for long stretches of second halves, while Rowbottom only started maintaining his level over four quarters last year, in his fourth year. Campbell is only entering his third year.

I don't recall any such concerns about whether those two would make it, despite needing a lot of work on their tank.

I also think a give away is the fact we extended him for four years off limited exposure, indicating we were very confident that he can overcome whatever limitations he may currently have. And why can't he? He seems like a really solid, hard-working kid who knows the Swans culture and the standard of professionalism required through the academy. There's absolutely no reason he can't get his tank to a level that will allow him to play four quarters every week.

 

[rustycrate]

My off-season deep dive #8 is Braeden Campbell.

I will start on a slightly acerbic note and say that I think Campbell is judged too harshly, and I'm almost certain it's because of the expectations that he came with: top 10 academy product, the likes of which we are used to seeing shine pretty much from the second they walk in the door. I feel like this has clouded the judgment of some fans, who make out like he has been a disappointment.

I think Campbell's first few seasons have not been bad. At all. He has had some really promising games that showed he can make it at the level, and he has had plenty of other moments where his natural talent has been obvious. I'm not sure a 21-year old who has played 18 full games needs to have done much more than that in his first few years in the system. Kids who end up cemented in the best 22 in their first year are always the exceptions, not the norms. It's also worth remembering that since his debut, Campbell has been trying to crack into a team that's basically been a top 2-6 side, meaning he hasn't had the luxury of time and opportunities to find his feet. If he was debuting in 2020, he'd be in the team every week and given chances to make mistakes and learn on the fly.

All of the above is why I have never been concerned about how Campbell is doing. For me personally, that changes a little in 2023. This is not to say that I think he needs to have a breakout year or else he's a bust. But what I do want out of this year for Campbell is a sense of direction; that we know where his career is going and the kind of player he can be.

The blueprints for this third-year clarity can be found in the revelations of McCartin as a key defender, and Blakey as a half back, both in their third years. Some have taken even longer - Florent as a half back in his sixth year.

Coaches aren't dumb. Well, at least ours isn't. Horse won't allow a player's career to be flushed down the toilet by trying the same thing over and over, despite not getting results. He no doubt saw the writing on the wall when McCartin produced arguably a better game down back against Charlie Dixon than he ever did up forward; or when he saw Blakey dropped to the reserves mid-way through his third year; or when he saw Florent still not having enough impact as a 23 year old.

So far, Horse has tried the half-back experiment, but it hasn't helped Campbell take any significant forward strides. He's tried the "medi-sub" approach which has led to him playing all kinds of roles in all different weeks, but I don't think that's done him any favours yet either (as I mentioned a few posts above.) But Horse & co aren't like fans. They don't get to just throw their hands in the air and give up on a player because they're not bearing immediate rewards. They've signed Campbell until 2025. They have him for another three seasons. They will try every single thing, for as long as they need to, until either they get Campbell where they want him to be, or an unfortunate conclusion is drawn.

For me personally, I hope that this perseverance will eventuate in Campbell being played in the midfield group, probably on the wing in lieu of his mate Gulden, who I think is destined to spend more time on the inside. He finished his season in the VFL last year playing in the midfield, and from training reports, it sounds like he's been with the midfield group over the summer. We will see if it turns out this way once actual games start, whether it's in the AFL or the VFL. But I do think he is best suited to it.

Get him around the ball and in the action. The half-back experiment was likely engineered to play to Campbell's strengths with his penetrating kicking and his electric speed. But maybe those attributes are best suited to the contest, where he can use them as weapons in tight, rather than out in the open space of a flank, akin to Warner.

As for the concerns over his low-possession numbers, I find that a peculiar one, given the way we play. We made a grand final last year ranked 13th in the comp for disposals. We won two finals last year with only one player (Mills in the PF) getting over 25 disposals. Our top 3 in the best & fairest averaged 24, 22 and 18 disposals, respectively. We have become a team that shares the load, full of damaging, incredibly effective, high-impact players who make every touch count - Warner, Rowbottom, Gulden, Mills. Given his speed and skills, Campbell fits that mould to a tee. He's just got to find his place within the team, and given all of those players are in and around the action as part of our midfield group, I don't see any reason Campbell can't join them.

I feel like a goldfish arguing against a shark.
I agree with all of what you have said. But if he wants a place in this team he needs to nail it. He is a drifter atm.
I feel the team and time is passing him by. His unique talents don't suit the Swans team atm. Where to we play him to maximize his talent. The Swans seem to want to develop his defense I assume because that is why they are playing him back.
Where in the team can he break into?

Other newer players with less ability to play multiple positions like him might get the gig of his favored position ahead of him. Whatever that is.
I'm a bit concerned for him. He does not seem to be playing with confidence of a player that feels like he belongs.

It is maybe a question for a few players. Where and how can they break into a team that is essentially young.

It is a bit like Sheldrick. He cannot crack the midfield so he will play the small forward.
Campbell is similar, he cannot crack the midfield or forward area so defence it is. Does he like it. I look at his demeanor and he appears not to be enamored with his role. Just my opinion.

Of course this could all be a result that we are full. As a list. You cannot draft more in because the ones we have have not developed yet. But we need to draft more.

 

[caesar88]

I feel like a goldfish arguing against a shark.
I agree with all of what you have said. But if he wants a place in this team he needs to nail it. He is a drifter atm.
I feel the team and time is passing him by. His unique talents don't suit the Swans team atm. Where to we play him to maximize his talent. The Swans seem to want to develop his defense I assume because that is why they are playing him back.
Where in the team can he break into?

Other newer players with less ability to play multiple positions like him might get the gig of his favored position ahead of him. Whatever that is.
I'm a bit concerned for him. He does not seem to be playing with confidence of a player that feels like he belongs.

It is maybe a question for a few players. Where and how can they break into a team that is essentially young.

It is a bit like Sheldrick. He cannot crack the midfield so he will play the small forward.
Campbell is similar, he cannot crack the midfield or forward area so defence it is. Does he like it. I look at his demeanor and he appears not to be enamored with his role. Just my opinion.

Of course this could all be a result that we are full. As a list. You cannot draft more in because the ones we have have not developed yet. But we need to draft more.

We've played one practice game rusty

 

[rustycrate]

We've played one practice game rusty

Yeah I know.

I just look at him and I don't get good vibes. It is like he is being forced to play a role. He does not look relaxed and free to play his way. That is what I see.
And I'm concerned.

 

[caesar88]

Yeah I know.

I just look at him and I don't get good vibes. It is like he is being forced to play a role. He does not look relaxed and free to play his way. That is what I see.
And I'm concerned.

I don't like the role at all for him. I think he needs to be moving and creating, not stopping and denying. The role gives him so limited chances to shine.

But it was one practice game where he was playing in a role where we were shorthanded for fit players (Blakey, Fox, Cunningham all out) and that he hadn't been playing all pre-season.

So reckon it's time to pump the brakes.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

We will give him EVERY opportunity and then some to find his niche in the team relax.

Remember Blakey? We threw him everywhere on the field till he found his position.

Again relax.

 

[Superstar swan]

I'm not buying into the whole " one practice game" narrative. In isolation it's fair enough but this has been the case for 2 years already.

He hasn't developed

 

[Superstar swan]

I'm not questioning his talent, I think he has a tonne of potential but right now, he's not what was advertised. I would have expected to see him at least get a few runs in the middle yesterday even for a learning experience.

But alas he's buried in the back pocket, it almost feels as if the club is putting him there to ease the pressure on him and prevent him from being left out of the team all together

 

[caesar88]

I'm not buying into the whole " one practice game" narrative. In isolation it's fair enough but this has been the case for 2 years already.

He hasn't developed

It's not a narrative though, it's a fact. You have decided what progress he has made this year based on one practice game.

 

[RUNVS]

I'm not questioning his talent, I think he has a tonne of potential but right now, he's not what was advertised. I would have expected to see him at least get a few runs in the middle yesterday even for a learning experience.

But alas he's buried in the back pocket, it almost feels as if the club is putting him there to ease the pressure on him and prevent him from being left out of the team all together

I suspect that is true as right now I don't think he can play in the midfield as he can't run out games so the back pocket is really the only place he can play.

 

[Superstar swan]

It's not a narrative though, it's a fact. You have decided what progress he has made this year based on one practice game.

It's not just the one game. It's the one game plus what we have seen to date. They mixed and matched alot of the mid rotations yesterday and not once did they throw him in the middle. All we seem was the same thing we have seen for 2 years, Campbell being exposed down back.

With nothing to lose I'm extremely surprised the coaches didn't give him at least a qtr in the mids just to see what he could produce.

 

[caesar88]

It's not just the one game. It's the one game plus what we have seen to date. They mixed and matched alot of the mid rotations yesterday and not once did they throw him in the middle. All we seem was the same thing we have seen for 2 years, Campbell being exposed down back.

With nothing to lose I'm extremely surprised the coaches didn't give him at least a qtr in the mids just to see what he could produce.

It's a new year though, so we haven't seen anything to date. You saying "he hasn't developed" is completely unfounded given he's yet to actually play a proper game this year.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Perusing this week’s POTY votes (onya scaryness !), I note I’m the only one who has given votes to Braeden.

Perhaps it’s because I’m paying close attention to him - but I’ve been really impressed this year.

He was always a sublime kick, but he’s bulked up and now impacts as a strong, rugged footballer.

Couple that with a nice burst of speed and elusiveness, I’m really excited by his development.

I sense a breakout year.

 

[caesar88]

Perusing this week’s POTY votes (onya scaryness !), I note I’m the only one who has given votes to Braeden.

Perhaps it’s because I’m paying close attention to him - but I’ve been really impressed this year.

He was always a sublime kick, but he’s bulked up and now impacts as a strong, rugged footballer.

Couple that with a nice burst of speed and elusiveness, I’m really excited by his development.

I sense a breakout year.

Looks really confident in what he's doing and how he's using his body. Want to see it against decent opposition before I get too excited by what he can do this year.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Looks really confident in what he's doing and how he's using his body. Want to see it against decent opposition before I get too excited by what he can do this year.

Fair point.

And I know there’s been a lot of talk about him being “stuck in a back pocket”.

Against Hawthorn, he looked confident - running and distributing off half-back, which I loved.

Fascinated to see how he goes against the Dees.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Fair point.

And I know there’s been a lot of talk about him being “stuck in a back pocket”.

Against Hawthorn, he looked confident - running and distributing off half-back, which I loved.

Fascinated to see how he goes against the Dees.

He's a much better bet off half back than the pocket. More space to manoeuvre and use his skills. The same is true of Blakey and Florent. I think I need to watch how we structure up when all three are on the field together.
I can't see us moving Blakey or Florent in the near future. Both are going very well.

 

[the hypnotoad]

Perusing this week’s POTY votes (onya scaryness !), I note I’m the only one who has given votes to Braeden.

Perhaps it’s because I’m paying close attention to him - but I’ve been really impressed this year.

He was always a sublime kick, but he’s bulked up and now impacts as a strong, rugged footballer.

Couple that with a nice burst of speed and elusiveness, I’m really excited by his development.

I sense a breakout year.

agreed ... and i've also been a fan from the start last season
maybe it's the haircut but he looks tougher ... ok, he also looks to have strengthened up a bit ...
but i think he's in the team to stay, and i think that development will come quite quickly

 

[Kiama Chris]

agreed ... and i've also been a fan from the start last season
maybe it's the haircut but he looks tougher ... ok, he also looks to have strengthened up a bit ...
but i think he's in the team to stay, and i think that development will come quite quickly

Again creating a nightmare for the Match Committee to leave out our best player from the Grand Final or one of two other young stars. Nice problem to have but....

 

[Superstar swan]

He looks to have alot more belief in himself now and playing with more confidence. Hopefully he keeps building