Good height as well.
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List Mgmt. Welcome new rookies: Sean McLaren, Nic Newman, Lewis Melican, Jordan Foote
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Reminds me of mcgovern at west coast
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The Sydney Swans have shored up their defensive stocks for 2015, with three backmen selected by the club in Wednesday morning’s Rookie Draft.
In addition to QBE Sydney Swans Academy selection Jordan Foote, who was taken by the club in the ninth round, the Swans selected tall defender Sean McLaren (pick 17) from the Sandringham Dragons, classy half-back and reigning Fothergill–Round medallist Nic Newman (pick 35) from Frankston and young key back Lewis Melican (pick 52) from the Geelong Falcons.
Speaking to sydneyswans.com.au at the conclusion of the Rookie Draft, Football Manager Tom Harley said the club was thrilled with their selections in this morning’s draft.
“We’re really happy,” Harley said.
“If you look at the four picks, we’ve got an inside-mid in Jordan Foote, a key defender-cum-ruckman in McLaren, a really beautiful ball user and experienced player in Newman, and then Lewis Melican, so we’re rapt.”
Harley said McLaren, who was part of the AIS-AFL Academy this year, was an important acquisition for the Swans with the 18-year-old able to play multiple roles.
“(Sean’s) a key defender at 198 centimetres and is a really competitive player,” he said.
“He’s been part of the AIS-AFL Academy, so in the really top-end part of the Academy program.
“He’s spent a bit of time in the ruck also, so he has some versatility and is really servicing a need in both our key defensive stocks and in our ruck stocks.”
Sean McLaren was taken with the Swans in the Rookie Draft at pick 17
Harley said Newman, who took out the 2014 Fothergill-Round Medal as the best young player in the VFL for his standout season with the Frankston Dolphins, was also an exciting prospect for the Swans.
He added that the 21-year-old was a great user of the football and was seen as a potential replacement for Nick Malceski, who made the move to the Gold Coast at the end of the 2014 season.
“We were really surprised that Nic was still there at pick 35,” Harley said.
“Our recruiting staff has kept an eye on him for a while and he is a beautiful kick and plays off half-back.
“He was targeted from our end with the hole that Nick Malceski obviously vacated going to the Gold Coast Suns.
“He actually won the Fothergill Medal, which is the Rising Star equivalent in the VFL, and some really great players have won it in recent times including Michael Hibberd from Essendon, Michael Barlow from Freo and our own Dean Towers also won the award.”
With their final live selection, the Swans selected 18-year-old defender Lewis Melican, who impressed for the Geelong Falcons this year.
Harley described the Birregurra teenager as a ‘terrific prospect’, who has a bright future.
“He’s young in the draft age, but is really task-focused and is a good size at 193 centimetres and a key defender,” he said.
“We really liked the way Lewis progressed this year and he’s got a lot of upside going forward.”
Lewis Melican in action for the Geelong Falcons this year (source: Instagram)
Harley said the Swans were also excited to secure a fourth Swans Academy player, with the club committing to midfielder Jordan Foote with their ninth-round pick in the Rookie Draft.
“We went in with the four picks and we had committed to QBE Sydney Swans Academy player Jordan Foote with our fourth pick in the rookie draft, which is great and is another success story for the Academy and for football in Sydney,” he said.
“He’s an inside-mid and he’s really professional with the way he prepares his body to get himself up to play, so we’re really hopeful that he’s going to have a long career with the Swans.”
The Swans had earlier passed on picks five and eight in the Pre-Season Draft while picks 64 and 69 were not utilised by the club in the Rookie Draft.
Jordan Foote was selected by the Swans with pick 76 in the 2015 Rookie Draft
In addition to QBE Sydney Swans Academy selection Jordan Foote, who was taken by the club in the ninth round, the Swans selected tall defender Sean McLaren (pick 17) from the Sandringham Dragons, classy half-back and reigning Fothergill–Round medallist Nic Newman (pick 35) from Frankston and young key back Lewis Melican (pick 52) from the Geelong Falcons.
Speaking to sydneyswans.com.au at the conclusion of the Rookie Draft, Football Manager Tom Harley said the club was thrilled with their selections in this morning’s draft.
“We’re really happy,” Harley said.
“If you look at the four picks, we’ve got an inside-mid in Jordan Foote, a key defender-cum-ruckman in McLaren, a really beautiful ball user and experienced player in Newman, and then Lewis Melican, so we’re rapt.”
Harley said McLaren, who was part of the AIS-AFL Academy this year, was an important acquisition for the Swans with the 18-year-old able to play multiple roles.
“(Sean’s) a key defender at 198 centimetres and is a really competitive player,” he said.
“He’s been part of the AIS-AFL Academy, so in the really top-end part of the Academy program.
“He’s spent a bit of time in the ruck also, so he has some versatility and is really servicing a need in both our key defensive stocks and in our ruck stocks.”
Harley said Newman, who took out the 2014 Fothergill-Round Medal as the best young player in the VFL for his standout season with the Frankston Dolphins, was also an exciting prospect for the Swans.
He added that the 21-year-old was a great user of the football and was seen as a potential replacement for Nick Malceski, who made the move to the Gold Coast at the end of the 2014 season.
“We were really surprised that Nic was still there at pick 35,” Harley said.
“Our recruiting staff has kept an eye on him for a while and he is a beautiful kick and plays off half-back.
“He was targeted from our end with the hole that Nick Malceski obviously vacated going to the Gold Coast Suns.
“He actually won the Fothergill Medal, which is the Rising Star equivalent in the VFL, and some really great players have won it in recent times including Michael Hibberd from Essendon, Michael Barlow from Freo and our own Dean Towers also won the award.”
With their final live selection, the Swans selected 18-year-old defender Lewis Melican, who impressed for the Geelong Falcons this year.
Harley described the Birregurra teenager as a ‘terrific prospect’, who has a bright future.
“He’s young in the draft age, but is really task-focused and is a good size at 193 centimetres and a key defender,” he said.
“We really liked the way Lewis progressed this year and he’s got a lot of upside going forward.”
Harley said the Swans were also excited to secure a fourth Swans Academy player, with the club committing to midfielder Jordan Foote with their ninth-round pick in the Rookie Draft.
“We went in with the four picks and we had committed to QBE Sydney Swans Academy player Jordan Foote with our fourth pick in the rookie draft, which is great and is another success story for the Academy and for football in Sydney,” he said.
“He’s an inside-mid and he’s really professional with the way he prepares his body to get himself up to play, so we’re really hopeful that he’s going to have a long career with the Swans.”
The Swans had earlier passed on picks five and eight in the Pre-Season Draft while picks 64 and 69 were not utilised by the club in the Rookie Draft.
Roos is all about himself
swansfan51
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Similar to his dad then
You know him personally then?
Last time I checked we have a lot to be grateful to Paul Roos for.
One of which is an off field culture and administration of team first.
What's the biff?
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Melican is interesting.
Didn't even get an invitation to the state combine (and you only need 2 clubs to nominate you).
Only cost us pick 52 in the rookie draft and if he turns out to be a player then some recruiter(s) deserves a bonus.
Expected it, but still concerned that we didn't bring in a mature age tall back.
And did Harley miss any draft cliches?
"thrilled with (our) selections"
“We’re really happy,”
“If you look at the four picks, we’ve got an inside-mid in Jordan Foote, a key defender-cum-ruckman in McLaren, a really beautiful ball user and experienced player in Newman, and then Lewis Melican, so we’re rapt.”
“We were really surprised that Nic was still there at pick 35,” Harley said.
I know he has to say something positive, but just once I'd love to hear football/list managers/recruiters trot out something other than the usual draft banalities.
Just generally, surprised that Bampton and Keitel missed out completely.
Didn't even get an invitation to the state combine (and you only need 2 clubs to nominate you).
Only cost us pick 52 in the rookie draft and if he turns out to be a player then some recruiter(s) deserves a bonus.
Expected it, but still concerned that we didn't bring in a mature age tall back.
And did Harley miss any draft cliches?
"thrilled with (our) selections"
“We’re really happy,”
“If you look at the four picks, we’ve got an inside-mid in Jordan Foote, a key defender-cum-ruckman in McLaren, a really beautiful ball user and experienced player in Newman, and then Lewis Melican, so we’re rapt.”
“We were really surprised that Nic was still there at pick 35,” Harley said.
I know he has to say something positive, but just once I'd love to hear football/list managers/recruiters trot out something other than the usual draft banalities.
Just generally, surprised that Bampton and Keitel missed out completely.
nottenthagain
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McLaren looks like the insurance policy for Richards and Aliir to me.... Does anyone have a feel on what Grundy will do this year - he's a free agent
Melican interest me, they say he's young for his draft age, which suggests there is still more growth to come - he's already a pretty decent size.
Newman sounds a pretty solid fit for need
Melican interest me, they say he's young for his draft age, which suggests there is still more growth to come - he's already a pretty decent size.
Newman sounds a pretty solid fit for need
nottenthagain
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Me too, don't understand it personally
McLaren is only 18 so I'd suggest Richards and Aliir would both be ahead of him at this stage but much can change during the year.
plenty to work with, glad some defenders were picked. Davis, X, Aliir and McLaren. Only need a 50% strike rate to cover Ted and Reg. Newman a Mal clone? Kinda kicks and moves like him, fingers crossed.
If Grundy doesn't sign during the season he is 100% gone.
I'll trust our recruiters over posters on here
We have got a great amount to be grateful for, doesn't mean he's a great bloke. Steve Waugh is a great of cricket, but is a shit bloke.
Michaelg
Team Captain
How some people are able to make these sweeping character assessments of people they don't know, or perhaps might have met in passing, is completely beyond me. Shits me to be honest. You don't like someone, fair enough. There are lots of people I don't like even though I don't really know them. But to pretend you know them well enough to make such damning judgements about them is bullshit. Calling someone a shit bloke is pretty damning, and you really need to back it up.
Michaelg
Team Captain
Yes you do, if you're going to make comments like that. If you don't want to say what you know, you've got no business making them.
Membling
Brownlow Medallist
Happy about McLaren. Don't know why. Was keen to get him at 57/in ND so I am happy now
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Once the initial excitement of learning he would be rookie-listed by the Sydney Swans in 2015 had subsided, new recruit Sean McLaren had one thing on his mind.
The 197-centimetre key defender, who was part of the AIS-AFL Academy program and took on some of the top forwards in the 2014 Draft crop, felt a moment of dread when he thought about one of his possible sparring partners in his first pre-season at the Swans.
“The first thing I thought of when I found out I was rookie listed was “How am I going to handle Buddy?!,” McLaren told sydneyswans.com.au.
“I think I’m going to have to put on a few more kilos before I can even get close to him in any way in that department.
“I’ll give it my best shot and hopefully he can help me improve.”
The 18-year-old, who also spent time in the ruck during this year’s TAC Cup campaign, hopes his versatility can help him in his first season at an AFL club.
The Sandringham Dragons product, who battled highly-rated draftees including the likes of Peter Wright, Hugh Goddard and Sam Durdin throughout the season, said he was looking forward to identifying his best position and developing as a player at the Swans.
Sean McLaren wrestles old Sydney Swans foe Quenten Lynch playing for the AIS-AFL Academy earlier this year
“I would say I’m a versatile player who can play a range of different positions whether that is on a small opponent or a tall opponent,” he said.
“I’m still trying to work out where I play my best football, but I do think I was able to play some of my best games against some of the best forwards this year.
“As far as what the club has said to me, they’ve said they see me as a ruck/defender role, so I think I’ll fit well in that position.”
Less than 24 hours after being selected by the Swans, McLaren will find himself in the Harbour City tomorrow afternoon to begin his new life as a Swans player.
While admitting the last day had been a whirlwind experience, the young defender said he couldn’t wait to get started.
“I am so humbled and grateful to be their first pick in the rookie draft,” McLaren said.
“(The club) told me that I would be flying up tomorrow morning, so it’s all happening very quickly.
“I’m excited to come up tomorrow and be at such a great club.”
McLaren said he had no concerns about moving interstate and backed himself to settle in well to life in a new city.
“I’m very excited and I’ve been very much looking forward to having a change of lifestyle,” he said.
“I just can’t wait to get to a club like Sydney, which is in a beautiful location and is an even better club.
“I think I’ll handle the move very well and I’m pretty independent and I think I’ll work very well in that sort of environment.”
The 197-centimetre key defender, who was part of the AIS-AFL Academy program and took on some of the top forwards in the 2014 Draft crop, felt a moment of dread when he thought about one of his possible sparring partners in his first pre-season at the Swans.
“The first thing I thought of when I found out I was rookie listed was “How am I going to handle Buddy?!,” McLaren told sydneyswans.com.au.
“I think I’m going to have to put on a few more kilos before I can even get close to him in any way in that department.
“I’ll give it my best shot and hopefully he can help me improve.”
The 18-year-old, who also spent time in the ruck during this year’s TAC Cup campaign, hopes his versatility can help him in his first season at an AFL club.
The Sandringham Dragons product, who battled highly-rated draftees including the likes of Peter Wright, Hugh Goddard and Sam Durdin throughout the season, said he was looking forward to identifying his best position and developing as a player at the Swans.
Sean McLaren wrestles old Sydney Swans foe Quenten Lynch playing for the AIS-AFL Academy earlier this year
“I would say I’m a versatile player who can play a range of different positions whether that is on a small opponent or a tall opponent,” he said.
“I’m still trying to work out where I play my best football, but I do think I was able to play some of my best games against some of the best forwards this year.
“As far as what the club has said to me, they’ve said they see me as a ruck/defender role, so I think I’ll fit well in that position.”
Less than 24 hours after being selected by the Swans, McLaren will find himself in the Harbour City tomorrow afternoon to begin his new life as a Swans player.
While admitting the last day had been a whirlwind experience, the young defender said he couldn’t wait to get started.
“I am so humbled and grateful to be their first pick in the rookie draft,” McLaren said.
“(The club) told me that I would be flying up tomorrow morning, so it’s all happening very quickly.
“I’m excited to come up tomorrow and be at such a great club.”
McLaren said he had no concerns about moving interstate and backed himself to settle in well to life in a new city.
“I’m very excited and I’ve been very much looking forward to having a change of lifestyle,” he said.
“I just can’t wait to get to a club like Sydney, which is in a beautiful location and is an even better club.
“I think I’ll handle the move very well and I’m pretty independent and I think I’ll work very well in that sort of environment.”
Michaelg
Team Captain
Probably based on similar evidence.
If you only knew. Even Stephen Milne is a good bloke these days. Anyhow back on topic champ. Very happy with what we got today
RW
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Maybe you do, but this thread isn't the place.
Michaelg
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ScrewInStuds
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A little off-topic, but it's interesting to me that we picked up a defender/ruck. With the number of allowable interchanges tipped to continue to fall, the Swan's focus on versatility could really pay off down the track - having a primary ruck, a defender/ruck and a forward/ruck with mids rotating through the small forward role could end up being a very efficient way of managing limited interchanges.
