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

 

[Jimbo OZ]

Then he must have literally the worst tank of any kid we have ever drafted. Plenty of others with developing tanks not-yet-ready for AFL were still managing four quarters in midfield roles at the lower level.

Midfield roles in lower levels does not equate to intensity and fitness of midfield roles at AFL level.

 

[The King!]

umm is he going to contribute anything to the side at any stage?

his first few games in 2021 looked good

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

umm is he going to contribute anything to the side at any stage?

his first few games in 2021 looked good

Been a nothing year from him so far his shuffling around hasn't really helped either.

 

[kickthething]

Maybe he isn’t that good……… I mean, I have had my medicinal cannabis stocks now for a few years, they shot upnicelywhen I bought them, but have since lost 88 percent of their value. No matter how long I hold then, they just ain’t getting any better.

 

[caesar88]

Can I just ask... WTF are we doing with him?

This is how his season has played out to date:

Rounds 1-8: Best 22, in defence.
Round 9: DNP (VFL Bye)
Round 10: Medi-Sub, 43% TOG, at half forward.
Round 11: Best 22, in defence.
Round 12: VFL, in midfield.
Round 13: DNP (VFL & AFL Bye)
Round 14: DNP (Medi-Sub, unused)
Round 15: Best 22, in defence.
Round 16: Best 22, at half forward.
Round 17: DNP (VFL Bye)
Round 18: DNP (Travelling emergency)

Now I know we all have our opinions on what position and what level he should be playing in, and they each have merit I reckon. But surely we can all agree that this kind of instability and lack of continuity in role and level is not good for a 20 year old in his second year. We have got to just decide on a plan for him and let him find his feet in that plan.

 

[kelpie_X]

Can I just ask... WTF are we doing with him?

This is how his season has played out to date:

Rounds 1-8: Best 22, in defence.
Round 9: DNP (VFL Bye)
Round 10: Medi-Sub, 43% TOG, at half forward.
Round 11: Best 22, in defence.
Round 12: VFL, in midfield.
Round 13: DNP (VFL & AFL Bye)
Round 14: DNP (Medi-Sub, unused)
Round 15: Best 22, in defence.
Round 16: Best 22, at half forward.
Round 17: DNP (VFL Bye)
Round 18: DNP (Travelling emergency)

Now I know we all have our opinions on what position and what level he should be playing in, and they each have merit I reckon. But surely we can all agree that this kind of instability and lack of continuity in role and level is not good for a 20 year old in his second year. We have got to just decide on a plan for him and let him find his feet in that plan.

He could be injured?

 

[GoTheSwannies]

I really believe in the kid, and think he plays with a lot of heart, but let's be real, he hasn't been close to cementing his place in the best 22, irrespective of what position he's been played.

He'll take a while to develop, but when he arrives it'll be with a bang. Just be patient and trust that the coaches know what they're doing with him.

 

[The King!]

Can I just ask... WTF are we doing with him?

This is how his season has played out to date:

Rounds 1-8: Best 22, in defence.
Round 9: DNP (VFL Bye)
Round 10: Medi-Sub, 43% TOG, at half forward.
Round 11: Best 22, in defence.
Round 12: VFL, in midfield.
Round 13: DNP (VFL & AFL Bye)
Round 14: DNP (Medi-Sub, unused)
Round 15: Best 22, in defence.
Round 16: Best 22, at half forward.
Round 17: DNP (VFL Bye)
Round 18: DNP (Travelling emergency)

Now I know we all have our opinions on what position and what level he should be playing in, and they each have merit I reckon. But surely we can all agree that this kind of instability and lack of continuity in role and level is not good for a 20 year old in his second year. We have got to just decide on a plan for him and let him find his feet in that plan.

****ing about by the looks

 

[caesar88]

I really believe in the kid, and think he plays with a lot of heart, but let's be real, he hasn't been close to cementing his place in the best 22, irrespective of what position he's been played.

He'll take a while to develop, but when he arrives it'll be with a bang. Just be patient and trust that the coaches know what they're doing with him.

I'm not knocking the kid at all, nor saying he's been good enough for the best 22. I also want to trust that the coaches know what they are doing with him, but I just can't see how the above is reflective of any kind of organised, structured coaching of Campbell. It seems random, unpredictable and disjointed.

 

[Superstar swan]

His lack of form is purely being played out of position.

Poor bloke has had to slave away in the backline whilst guys like Stephen's (When he llays) largely gets midfield minutes

 

[Maximumlnsanity]

His lack of form is purely being played out of position.

Poor bloke has had to slave away in the backline whilst guys like Stephen's (When he llays) largely gets midfield minutes

Stephens primary strengths really only suit the wing, whereas Campbell's strength is his cannon leg which can just sorta be plonked anywhere

 

[Dan87]

Campbell probably wants to play AFL and get experience so he'll do what he's told.

He's not going to get broken being a role player.

I think his best shot at cementing a spot is that kicker role off half back. But he gets rag dolled.

No dramas he's 20

 

[Dan87]

People see pick 5 and go crazy but he's just another foot soldier no guarantees

Just happens to have that leg on him

 

[scaryness]

My concern is that regardless of position he doesn't get ball in hand. Can he actually win his own ball at this level or does it have to be fed to him, and does he know where to be to receive the ball? Because if his only strength is his kicking but he never ends up kicking the ball he is never going to be a good player.

 

[caesar88]

People see pick 5 and go crazy but he's just another foot soldier no guarantees

Just happens to have that leg on him

Not sure what him being a pick 5 has to do with anything. No player - top pick or rookie - should be dealt the last ten weeks that Campbell has been dealt. The only time he's had consecutive weeks doing the same thing are when he hasn't been playing...

 

[Dan87]

Not sure what him being a pick 5 has to do with anything. No player - top pick or rookie - should be dealt the last ten weeks that Campbell has been dealt. The only time he's had consecutive weeks doing the same thing are when he hasn't been playing...

If he wants to play AFL, get best 22, get a contract he does the job the club think he's capable of. I think he's being dealt a fair hand and being fed games at times tbh. The club is trying to set him up to have a career not grooming him to be a Brownlow medallist

 

[caesar88]

If he wants to play AFL, get best 22, get a contract he does the job the club think he's capable of. I think he's being dealt a fair hand and being fed fames tbh. The club is trying to set him up to have a career not grooming him to be a Brownlow medallist

Name me one other player who has had a ten week period like Campbell has had.

 

[GoTheSwannies]

I'm not knocking the kid at all, nor saying he's been good enough for the best 22. I also want to trust that the coaches know what they are doing with him, but I just can't see how the above is reflective of any kind of organised, structured coaching of Campbell. It seems random, unpredictable and disjointed.

I know you weren't knocking the kid. I was just trying to say that if Campbell was ready to play seniors, he'd be finding a way to impact the game whatever position he's playing.

There's always the argument that player x or y isn't developing because they're being played out of position, but the reality is young players need to be played in certain positions in the seniors given they haven't fully developed the skill set or tank to take on a role that's critical to us winning / losing.

The fact is, they'll play him in his preferred position when he's proven he's the best player to play that position. He's still a small way off that, but give him a year or two and he'll be a regular senior player. I'm sure the coaches have open dialogue with him about what he needs to do to get there.

 

[the hypnotoad]

Campbell probably wants to play AFL and get experience so he'll do what he's told.

He's not going to get broken being a role player.

I think his best shot at cementing a spot is that kicker role off half back. But he gets rag dolled.

No dramas he's 20

yep, agreed ... he needs to physically strengthen, that's all i can see ... class player, has leadership qualities, will be best 22 soon enough
i trust the club ... it was right with mills, blakey, et al ... it's frustrating because i see so much in him (not as frustrating as it is for campbell himself, i'm sure) and i always prefer to see kids of his calibre playing as much senior footy as possible (same with mcdonald) but it'll come

 

[caesar88]

I know you weren't knocking the kid. I was just trying to say that if Campbell was ready to play seniors, he'd be finding a way to impact the game whatever position he's playing.

There's always the argument that player x or y isn't developing because they're being played out of position, but the reality is young players need to be played in certain positions in the seniors given they haven't fully developed the skill set or tank to take on a role that's critical to us winning / losing.

The fact is, they'll play him in his preferred position when he's proven he's the best player to play that position. He's still a small way off that, but give him a year or two and he'll be a regular senior player. I'm sure the coaches have open dialogue with him about what he needs to do to get there.

But they're not playing him in any position at any level!

I really don't see how anyone can look at this and think this is what's best for Campbell.

Round 9: DNP (VFL Bye)
Round 10: Medi-Sub, 43% TOG, at half forward.
Round 11: Best 22, in defence.
Round 12: VFL, in midfield.
Round 13: DNP (VFL & AFL Bye)
Round 14: DNP (Medi-Sub, unused)
Round 15: Best 22, in defence.
Round 16: Best 22, at half forward.
Round 17: DNP (VFL Bye)
Round 18: DNP (Travelling emergency)

 

[Big Blood]

Can I just ask... WTF are we doing with him?

This is how his season has played out to date:

Rounds 1-8: Best 22, in defence.
Round 9: DNP (VFL Bye)
Round 10: Medi-Sub, 43% TOG, at half forward.
Round 11: Best 22, in defence.
Round 12: VFL, in midfield.
Round 13: DNP (VFL & AFL Bye)
Round 14: DNP (Medi-Sub, unused)
Round 15: Best 22, in defence.
Round 16: Best 22, at half forward.
Round 17: DNP (VFL Bye)
Round 18: DNP (Travelling emergency)

Now I know we all have our opinions on what position and what level he should be playing in, and they each have merit I reckon. But surely we can all agree that this kind of instability and lack of continuity in role and level is not good for a 20 year old in his second year. We have got to just decide on a plan for him and let him find his feet in that plan.

Looks like pretty good preparation for the capriciousness of an AFL career. He's already been with us in various forms for ten years and the club believes he's got a 10-15 years ahead of him. What happens over six weeks or 12 weeks doesn't amount to much. There's a lot of development that takes place in the gym and on the training track and just watching and listening to senior players.

He's not unique in being too good for the 2s but not quite A grade. Remember it took at least three years before we figured out how to play Dawson and Blakey.

He can't complain he's not getting opportunities but other players keep going past him. Let's keep rewarding them.

 

[DobmusEdge]

If he wants to play AFL, get best 22, get a contract he does the job the club think he's capable of. I think he's being dealt a fair hand and being fed games at times tbh. The club is trying to set him up to have a career not grooming him to be a Brownlow medallist

Contracted to end of 2025

 

[caesar88]

Looks like pretty good preparation for the capriciousness of an AFL career. He's already been with us in various forms for ten years and the club believes he's got a 10-15 years ahead of him. What happens over six weeks or 12 weeks doesn't amount to much. There's a lot of development that takes place in the gym and on the training track and just watching and listening to senior players.

He's not unique in being too good for the 2s but not quite A grade. Remember it took at least three years before we figured out how to play Dawson and Blakey.

He can't complain he's not getting opportunities but other players keep going past him. Let's keep rewarding them.

How can you look at that run of games and call that getting opportunities? I may not know much but I sure as hell know it's not part of any young players coordinated development "plan" to have 10 completely different weeks in a row.

Have I entered the Twilight zone or something? This is absolutely insane to me

 

[scaryness]

But they're not playing him in any position at any level!

I really don't see how anyone can look at this and think this is what's best for Campbell.

Round 9: DNP (VFL Bye)
Round 10: Medi-Sub, 43% TOG, at half forward.
Round 11: Best 22, in defence.
Round 12: VFL, in midfield.
Round 13: DNP (VFL & AFL Bye)
Round 14: DNP (Medi-Sub, unused)
Round 15: Best 22, in defence.
Round 16: Best 22, at half forward.
Round 17: DNP (VFL Bye)
Round 18: DNP (Travelling emergency)

Weirdly his best game in that bunch was easily Round 10 when he barely played, though I recall him being a loose defender pushing up the ground or a defensive wing type. Way more influence in one half then any other full game he played this year.

 

[caesar88]

Weirdly his best game in that bunch was easily Round 10 when he barely played, though I recall him being a loose defender pushing up the ground or a defensive wing type. Way more influence in one half then any other full game he played this year.

I'd agree with that, so maybe that's when we needed to decide that that's a role he could explore and flesh out over 4-5 games in the VFL if he couldn't do it in the AFL side, rather than being non-commital about what role we wanted him in and at what level. I mean what's next? Match-sim as a small forward with the AFLW side?