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

 

[Nuggetz]

Problem is, does Horse even consider this to be something we should be focusing on?

I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact he named a team with one small forward and no elite pressure players in his forward line for the finals.

Tbh it doesn't seem like Horse or the coaches will get enough pressure for their strategy & selections. They'll look at the season as a whole & say they did well. That's a bit of the tone I got from club statement & players statement. One game won't define us, great year etc.

I don't think our fwd set up was a reason for our 'good' attack. I thought our attack would've been better with a more mobile fwd line.

 

[TheMase]

He won't get it

Has been my concern. I think he was tried off halfback to use his kicking with other players help to get him into the game, but it didn’t work.

Previously, I didn’t like him up forward (however fleeting it was) as I felt like he got a bit lost.

His sub performance was promising however and he needs to watch those tapes back and play at that intensity as a rule not an aberration.

I think him being “thrown around” is making excuses for him too personally.

Big year for him in 2025. Needs to come of age.

 

[mcs095]

The King! and I said this throughout the season. I don't think Campbell got more than a month in any set role or position at either level.

This was his year:

Mar 7 - Defence in AFL side
Mar 15 - Wing in AFL side
Mar 23 - Wing in AFL side
Mar 31 - Wing in AFL side
Apr 6 - Wing in AFL side
Apr 13 - Bye
Apr 21 - Senior sub
Apr 28 - Senior sub
May 4 - Inside mid in VFL
May 11 - Inside mid in VFL
May 17 - Senior sub
May 23 - Wing in AFL side
May 30 - Bye
June 9 - Senior sub
June 15 - Wing in AFL side
June 22 - Wing in AFL side
June 29 - Defence in AFL side
July 7 - Wing in AFL side
July 13 - Defence in AFL side
July 21 - Defence in AFL side
July 28 - Wing in AFL side
Aug 3 - Bye
Aug 9 - Defence in AFL side
Aug 16 - Half forward in AFL side
Aug 24 - Half forward in AFL side
Aug 31 - Bye
Sep 7 - Senior sub
Sep 14 - Bye
Sep 20 - Wing in AFL side
Sep 28 - Senior sub

An absolute mess.

That says a lot.

He certainly hasn't come on as anyone hoped to this point. But how can that possibly be good for his development as well. Pick a spot, wherever - and if he isn't good enough to be in the Seniors, play him there in the VFL.

2025 is a really important season for him, but its time for them to pick a spot and leave him there.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Named in the 2024 NSW Origin Side - which doesn’t come with positions.

Poor bloke, no matter which side he’s named in, it’s without a position.

 

[Punts]

Still think he will struggle to cement best 22 next season much like his career to date

 

[kickthething]

Still think he will struggle to cement best 22 next season much like his career to date

Needs to put on a few kegs.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Needs to put on a few kegs.

More that he needs to attack the game instead of holding out. Ball, opponent, 4 quarters. He has what it takes if he applies it. The goal he scored off JJ's pass showed it.

 

[kickthething]

More that he needs to attack the game instead of holding out. Ball, opponent, 4 quarters. He has what it takes if he applies it. The goal he scored off JJ's pass showed it.

A few more Kegs and the confidence that brings will go a long way to deliver what you speak of eventuate.

 

[Kiama Chris]

A few more Kegs and the confidence that brings will go a long way to deliver what you speak of eventuate.

75kg at draft. 79kg currently. Warner is 82kg. It's more about power than weight. That's what took Warner from ordinary to star. Work to develop the power through hips and thighs. Braeden has the build. You might be right but I wouldn't want him to lose his speed.

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

Named in the 2024 NSW Origin Side - which doesn’t come with positions.

Poor bloke, no matter which side he’s named in, it’s without a position.

Horse must love coaching the Origin side. Players without positions, players in wrong positions and wrong players in wrong positions.

 

[BloodySwan]

Braeden was attacking the ball and the player over his last few matches. If he continues to bring that pressure he'll cement his place in no time. However if he goes back to his previous mode he'll struggle again.

When he gets the ball he is a good user, but he just doesn't get the ball enough. We have good users in our team, so rarely will they be looking out for him. In a midfield containing Gulden and Heeney Campbell will struggle. He needs to get his own ball