Sydney Swans News

Sydney Swans midfielder Daniel Hannebery has been unanimously voted as the 2010 NAB AFL Rising Star.

"One of the things that young players generally go through is a mental lapse or a number of games where they struggle, but this has certainly not been the case with Dan," Sydney coach Paul Roos said.

"His ability to have an impact in all of the games he has played has been really significant and a great number of his games have been of a very high quality We believe he is thoroughly deserving of this Rising Star award."

Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos says Daniel Bradshaw's knee has to be pushed to gauge his availability for the club's finals campaign.

"Really now, we just have to push him anyway. If we pushed him and he got slightly injured, he wouldn't have played anyway," Roos said.

"We won't throw him in definitely next week if he feels he's not confident and we feel he's not confident as well. There's still a lot of things that have got to go right for him to play next week."

Sydney Swans captain Brett Kirk hopes his career has been an inspiration to others trying to achieve lifelong dreams.

"If I sit back and think about my career and the ups and downs and the way I've gone about it and the way I've played with my heart ... I think not only people in footy but other people can get inspired by not giving up," he said.

"There are a lot of people out there who succeeded in all walks of life just because they never gave up on what they wanted to do."

Daniel Hannebery will remain with the Sydney Swans until at least 2013 after signing a new deal with the club.

"It was really easy, really quick and there was no hesitation at all. It's a sensational club and it's a real privilege to be a part of it," Hannebery said.

"As soon as the club came [to me], I was quick to jump on board straight away and I said yes."

Sydney skipper Brett Kirk says Ben McGlynn selfless act in diving for a loose ball which resulted in a fractured cheekbone will be his inspiration as he prepares to farewell the SCG.

McGlynn will miss at least three weeks with his injury.

"I'm sure it will be mentioned going into the game how he sacrificed himself for the boys. There is no doubt we will talk about it this week," Kirk said.

"He does it week-in, week-out and just puts his head over the footy. When you do that you're going to get hurt and unfortunately it looks like it's going to be a significant injury but that's the type of fella he is, he is selfless."

Swans youngster Kieren Jack is relishing having shed the tagger role in 2010.

"I've played on some really good players in the past and they have shown me a few tricks and how to get the footy," Jack said.

"I think I'm starting to show a bit of that and winning my own footy, which is what the team needs. You want the ball in your hands and [to be] making decisions."

Canadian Mike Pyke has been rewarded for his form with a two-year deal from the Swans.

"I am really happy - it gives me an opportunity to feel settled in Sydney and I'm very excited to be put on the senior list," he said.

"Now I need to work on having a sustained impact in games. I've had patches this season where I've been contributing quite well, and patches where I go missing a little bit.

"I've showed that I'm capable of playing but to become really successful you have to do more than that, and that's what I'll be working on in the next two years.''

Sydney Swans ruckman Mark Seaby will have ankle surgery next week, ruling him out for the season.

"This is related to a pre-existing condition in Mark's ankle and he'll have an operation next week to remove bone spurs from the ankle joint," club physiotherapist Matt Cameron said.

Heath Grundy and Kieren Jack have signed new deals that will keep them at the Sydney Swans until the end of 2013.

"We saw in the last off-season, with the traded players and recruits that we picked up, that there is obviously a bright future ahead of us," Jack said.

"It's going to be sad to see older players like Brett Kirk go, but it's exciting that there is a young group coming through and we want to build a successful future for ourselves."

Teammate Heath Grundy agreed with Jack's assessment of the future of the Swans.

"There are exciting times ahead for the club. Kieren is around my age as well so we've sort of grown up here together, and it's great to know we're both committed to the Swans," he said.

"I took a couple of seasons to get going. It was three or four years before I got a regular game but going into defence has been a good thing for me and I'm really enjoying my footy."

Canadian ruckman Mike Pyke feels he has done enough in 10 games this year as Shane Mumford's back-up to earn a new contract for 2011.

"I think now I've proven I can hold a second ruck role. I'm learning where to go on the field and when to be there, so hopefully the club comes to the decision to keep me on, and that's what I want to do," he said.

"I guess if it doesn't work out here, you have to look to all options available. At the moment though, I'm very happy in Sydney and this is where I want to stay."

Henry Playfair retires after injuring his back, bringing an end to an injury-plagued career that saw him play 68 games for the Swans and Cats.

"When I found out I'd done some damage to my back it was a bit of a shock. At first I didn't know what it meant for my season, and then I spoke further to the doctor and the physio and it looked like my season was over,'' Playfair said.

"I then had to make a decision about next year, and coming off the troubles I've had previously with hamstring injuries over the past couple of seasons, the back was another indication that my body is not up to it at this stage.''

Sydney forward Ryan O'Keefe says he supports the decision by the match review panel to suspend Steven Baker for 12 weeks for engaging in illegal harrassment of Geelong forward Steve Johnson.

"That sort of stuff in the game, you can't tolerate and you [must] protect the ball players. If you're going to be a good player, you shouldn't have to fear someone just belting you all day," O'Keefe.

"I think the AFL's made the correct decision and I think we've got to stamp that out."

Geelong coach Mark Thompson is critical of former Cat Shane Mumford's decision at the end of 2009 to leave for Sydney.

"Ultimately, I think most players, if they are made of the right stuff and they stay here, they get a good footy education and they'll get their opportunities when the time comes," Thompson said.

"We are a good club and I think it would be a great shame for a young person who is just on the verge to actually break their way into the team, and it is taking the easy option going to another club."

Mumford responds to his former coach's comments by saying his game has improved immensely since becoming a Swan.

"In the end I just did what was going to be best for me," Mumford said.

"I saw it as an opportunity and the fact Sydney is going through a phase of building good young talent. We're going to be a great side for years to come and we will be up there if not this year within the next few years."

Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss says former teammate Daniel Bradshaw has lost respect for him after the key forward left the Lions for the Swans via the pre-season draft.

"I think Daniel's lost a fair bit of respect for me, which is disappointing," Voss said.

"I played in premierships with Daniel and it was unfortunate that he ended up moving on. In my limited experience as a coach that is absolutely the most difficult thing to be able to do, and how you do it is not always done exactly how you'd like to, but you also know it's part of the job."

Sydney Swan Ben McGlynn says while disappointed to miss the last seven weeks with a quad injury, he is ready to pick up where he left off.

"You're at a new club and you want to make your mark. I was doing that and then I got struck down by the quad," he said.

"It was a little bit frustrating but that's footy. You cop your injuries and you've just got to deal with it. It's a long season. We've got one game before the break and hopefully I can have a solid second half to the year."

Young Swan Lewis Jetta is being rested from the team that plays Port on Saturday, but Paul Roos expects him to be back quickly.

"They all love to play but what you're trying to do as a coach is use your experience a little bit and your knowledge of where they've come from and where they're going," Roos said.

"It's a big effort to play all 11 games and to play the way that he has... with the energy that he plays with, we knew that at some point, potentially we might have to give him a spell."

The Sydney Swans say their first round draft pick Lewis Johnston is on the verge of senior selection.

"He's probably got senior selection within his sights now," Sydney Swans player development manager Stuart Maxfield said.

"What he needs to do is probably string three or four solid games together at reserves level. It's really about consistency for Lewis, and then hopefully forcing his way into the senior side."

Jarrad McVeigh says a successful swith to Australian Rules is possible, as rugby union international-turned Sydney Swan Mike Pyke shows.

"Seeing Pykey first-hand, he really wants to learn and that's the first key component. He's always asking questions, always working on his skills every day," McVeigh said.

"He knows he has to do that so if [Folau and Gold Coast's Karmichael Hunt] can have the work ethic of Pykey, it will go a long way."

Paul Roos is confident a key-position role in place of injured Daniel Bradshaw will help Jesse White regain his 2009 form.

"In some ways, Jesse probably played his best footy last year as that key full-forward so this gives him a chance to do that working with Goodesy and working with Henry [Playfair]," Sydney coach Paul Roos said.

"Having three talls worked for us early on but it probably didn't help Jesse as much as last year playing at full-forward. Now it's a chance for him to step up."

Swan Henry Playfair says his career was close to over after a serious hamstring injury saw him delisted by Sydney in 2009 before being drafted as a mature-aged rookie in 2010.

"The club had told me they were going to delist me so any slight problem I had - even a slight setback for two weeks - doesn't look good in the coaches' eyes. They're going to say 'your hammy's not up to it'," he said.

"It all had to go smoothly and it was really do or die. The pre-season was pretty rigorous so any tear when I was sprinting would spell the end. It's been a good move to have the surgery and I guess it has paid off to this point."

Sydney Swans full-forward Daniel Bradshaw will miss at least three matches after surgery on his troublesome right knee.

Sydney Swan Campbell Heath will play his first AFL game against Fremantle after a strong push by Sydney's leadership group in Brett Kirk, Adam Goodes and Craig Bolton.

"It's always encouraging when the young players know the captains want you in the side as well," Sydney coach Paul Roos said.

"He's a real tough player and physically, he's quite mature at 85, 86 kilos. He's not like your normal first-game rookie."

Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos has labelled Jason Akermanis' comments about gay footballers 'irresponsible and bizarre'.

"Football clubs are very different environments. Locker room nudity is an everyday part of our lives and unlike any other work place," Roos wrote in a column for News Limited.

"I believe it would cause discomfort in that environment should someone declare himself gay."

Sydney Swan Adam Goodes has disputed Jason Akermanis' belief that it would be difficult for a gay player to come out.

"I'd like to think the environment isn't [homophobic]. Does that mean there aren't guys who are gay in our football competition? If you look at statistics purely on the blokes that we have, there probably are a couple," Goodes said.

"Whether or not they're too scared to come out, hopefully it isn't the environment they're in [that is stopping them]."

Sydney Swans co-captain Brett Kirk announces his retirement after the 2010 season, bringing an end to the career of one of the AFL's most respected players.

"I want to enjoy the rest of the year. This is not me waving the white flag, this is not me saying it's too hard or that I'm giving up or that my body's no good," he said.

"I'll continue to fight for my teammates and I'll continue to leave everything out on the ground, which I've done previously in my career, because that's what I'm all about."

Former rugby union international Mike Pyke says rugby league players Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau can perform at a high standard in the AFL.

"Money probably is a bit of a motivating factor but you have to understand, these are competitive guys," he said.

"They're not going to come across and cop it from the media. They'll do everything they can to the highest level. They're not going to just sit back and watch themselves become the laughing stock of the AFL.

"I don't think it's guaranteed, but they'll do everything to make themselves successful."

Sydney Swans first-gamer Gary Rohan will make his AFL debut against Geelong, the club he used to barrack for.

"I idolised Andrew Mackie, so I might be lining up against him in the backline," Rohan said.

"They're a great club and I'm looking forward to running out against the team I used to barrack for. Hopefully I can just play well, get a couple of kicks and I'll be happy with that."

Swans ruckman Shane Mumford says playing in a grand final with his new club would be the best way to make up for missing last year's flag with Geelong.

"I've moved on, as they've moved on. We're both pretty happy now," he said.

"Of course, you're going to be upset about missing out on a grand final but I'll look forward to playing in one this year with the Swans, hopefully."

Sydney Swans ruckman Mark Seaby will have surgery on his ankle on Tuesday and will miss up to three months of football.

Daniel Bradshaw could not have written a better script than the one which unfolded against his old side on Saturday night but says a win was all that mattered.

"At the end of the day, [it didn't matter] if I didn't kick any, as long as we won. That's all I wanted to do," he said.

"To contribute six goals was good for myself but it was more important to get the win."

Six months after leaving the Brisbane Lions, Daniel Bradshaw fires the Sydney Swans to a win against his old club with six goals including a 60m torpedo punt after the three-quarter time siren.

"When Braddy pulled out the barrel, you think you're in for a pretty reasonable night when those go through. It's not often it happens on the siren so you're pretty relieved when those go through," Sydney coach Paul Roos said.

Lions captain Jonathan Brown says that he misses former teammate Daniel Bradshaw but that Brisbane's decision to recruit Brendan Fevola and Sydney acquiring Bradshaw has benefited both clubs.

"Braddy's a close mate of mine so at the end of the day, I'm just happy he's playing good footy," Brown said.

"It's always disappointing to see a great player go and a great mate go, but … the players play and management manages. We go along with the decisions that have been made and it's worked out well for both clubs… that's the business of football."

Sydney Swans defender Craig Bolton will miss up to six weeks with an achilles injury after falling awkwardly in a marking contest against West Coast.

"He's struggling to walk and I'd say he's no chance to play this week. It may be a long term injury but we're not sure at this stage," Sydney coach Paul Roos said.

"He's been carrying it a little bit. He just felt it [go] when he took his last step to take off for the spoil on [Mark] LeCras. We've just got to get a scan on it but it could be a three, four, five or six week [injury] depending on how much damage there is."

Sydney Swans ruckman Mark Seaby says after years of whippings on the training track against Dean Cox he is looking for revenge when his new side takes on the Eagles at the SCG.

"I've never really taken on Dean in a full-on contest so I think it's a challenge I've been looking forward to for a while," Seaby said.

"I've learned a lot from Dean. Training against him is probably where I've learned my most and hopefully I've learned a few new tricks I can try."

Sydney recruit Ben McGlynn says the Swans' three-year offer was too good to pass up after being offered only one year by the Hawks.

"It was a little bit disappointing that we couldn't come to an agreement, but I was happy with the security here at the Swans. They gave me an opportunity to play regular senior footy," McGlynn said.

"I always knew I could play at that level, and Hawthorn knew that as well, but I guess some things don't work out.

"(Hawthorn's) contract offer didn't eventuate any further than one year, and it was clearly a difficult position. I didn't feel very comfortable talking to Sydney but in the end I had to look after myself.

''I am really grateful for the four years Hawthorn gave me. Now I am happy to be part of Sydney's side and hopefully I can finish my career here."

Sydney Swans defender Nick Malceski says his return to form should encourage other ACL victims to give the radical LARS (ligament augmentation and reconstruction system) procedure a go.

"I guess it has given them confidence, knowing that it's worked for me. I'd recommend it to anyone and anyone who wants advice, I'm happy to give it," Malceski said.

"You don't miss 12 months of footy and especially if you're out of contract, you're back in three months and it gives you a good opportunity to really set yourself for the rest of the year, especially if you do it early."

Nab AFL Rising Star nominee Dan Hannebery says a tumultuous off-season opened his eyes to the reality of life as a full-time footballer.

Hannebery was kept away from contact drills for several weeks after breaking his cheekbone in a fall during a night out with friends earlier in the year.

"It's just really highlighted how careful you need to be and how aware you need to be of your actions the whole time, not just when you're on the training track," he said.

"You need to be really careful when you're away from the club and you're at home with your mates, because they're living a different life to what we are.

"I'm out to prove to the leadership group, and the club, and the coaches who gave me the opportunity that I've learned my lesson and I'm now a full-time footballer."

A 23-possession game in the Swans' win over the Crows has earned Daniel Hannebery this week's NAB Rising Star nomination.

"He has areas of his game he wants to continue to work on, there is still a lot of improvement in his game but we're really pleased with the way he's going," Sydney coach Paul Roos said.

"His nomination shows the direction the club is heading. We've got some good young kids and hopefully they'll put pressure on the senior players throughout the year."

Craig Bolton knows that he will face a range of opponents in 2010 as Heath Grundy is groomed to become Sydney's key tall back.

"Heath Grundy showed last year what he can do and I think he's going to develop and be the linchpin of this side in the years to come," Bolton said.

"He's got a lot of potential and he's a great attacking defender as well. Hopefully he'll just continue to develop this year."

St Kilda forward Justin Koschitzke has been offered three weeks for engaging in rough conduct against Swan Nick Malceski.

Sydney coach Paul Roos is angered by Tadhg Kennelly being knocked unconscious by a late Zac Dawson spoil during the Swans' round 1 clash against St Kilda.

"I was expecting a 50m penalty. In the box we were all expecting a 50m penalty. Unless I've got the rules wrong, which obviously I have," Roos said.

Kennelly said he was still feeling the effects of the clash the day after.

"I'm sore all over ... I've got a big lump on my head," Kennelly said.

"I saw him coming ... so I tried to raise my leg and turn my body into him."

Paul Roos says the decision to ignore pursuing Brendan Fevola helped deliver Daniel Bradshaw for free to the club.

"If we were to chase Fevola hard it would have deflected us from Seaby, Mumford, McGlynn and Kennedy," Roos said.

"What you end up doing is have so many balls in the air, you get nothing done by the end of trade week. Then at the end of the the week the fact we didn't go after Fevola helped us get Bradshaw.

"You can't waste effort on something you are 99 per cent sure won't happen."

The Sydney Swans will unveil draftee Lewis Jetta on Saturday night in their 2010 season opener against St Kilda.

"I sort of had a feeling I was going to play, but I sort of had a feeling that I wasn't going to play. It didn't really matter if I didn't play [seniors]... I just wanted to play footy this weekend," Jetta said.

"I'm just going to run with the ball, that's it. Just play my game."

Sydney Swans forward Daniel Bradshaw believes he will be fit for selection against St Kilda in round 1 of 2010.

"In the last couple of weeks I've been doing heaps of agility work just to test out the movement sideways and I've done a lot of one-on-one stuff - wrestling and marking work," he said.

"I feel really confident and I'm not second-guessing myself at all."

Sydney Swans defender Tadgh Kennelly says this year's team reminds him of the breakthrough side of 2003.

"There's great excitement amongst the team and it really has the feeling of 2003," he said.

"We're very unpredictable and we're quietly confident amongst ourselves. The whole AFL world are putting us down, which is great. The Swans love being underdogs."

Swans co-captain Lewis Jetta says his pre-draft faith in Lewis Jetta has been justified by his thrilling pre-season cameos.

"Seeing a bit of footage of him before, you know that he can definitely play the game and if he gets a bit of confidence up ... then he can make anything happen," Goodes said.

"You saw in that first game what he can do when he does turn his pace on, and he's got great skills as well."

Warwick Capper has signed a playing contract as part of a bid to save the 123-year-old Kermandie Football Club in Tasmania from folding.

"I'll have the tight shorts on, I've put on 7kg (since my playing days) so I'm looking all right. I'm 46, but everyone says I look 31," Capper said.

Sydney Swans ruckman Mark Seaby says he is growing in confidence now he is getting more opportunities after struggling to become a regular at West Coast.

"There weren't really doubts in my mind but my confidence was definitely down a bit," he said.

"I feel like I'm starting to regain a bit of that now and I can go at the highest level again, because it has been a while since I've had a game."

Sydney Swans midfielder Craig Bird has a foot stress fracture that will sideline him for up to three months.

"Craig has had a great pre-season prior to this injury which makes this particularly disappointing for him and the club," Swans coach Paul Roos said.

"At least this setback has happened early in the year so he will still have an opportunity to get back into the team and have a good season."

Swan Brett Kirk offered to shake hands with Carlton's Brock McLean at the start of their NAB Cup game in Blacktown, only for McLean to ignore it.

"He never shakes hands before a game, always after, and Kirky was aware of that and that's why he made a fuss," a Carlton spokesman said.

McLean was seen shaking Kirk's hand after the Swans won convincingly with McLean having a decidedly poor game.

Sydney Swans co-captain Adam Goodes says draftee Lewis Jetta was told to run and kick as far as he could in Saturday night's NAB Cup win over Carlton.

"'I want you to run, take a bounce and kick it as far as you can and if that means you're having shots on goal, then that's a win for us'," Goodes said.

Sydney Swans defender Craig Bolton says Tadhg Kennelly is ready to slot straight back into the side this weekend.

"It's like he never really went overseas for a year, so we're looking forward to having him back there in the backline this week," Bolton said.

"I'm sure he'll be fine and play really well. He's been really impressive at training, along with Nick Malceski. They've been standout performers so far on the training track so we're looking forward to see big things from them in the pre-season."

Western Bulldog Jason Akermanis has his doubts as to whether Jonathan Brown and Brendan Fevola can work together in the Brisbane Lions' forward line saying that Daniel Bradshaw was a better complement for Brown.

"Bradshaw was a great sort of swingman for 'Browny' and 'Browny' was happy to play the lead role," Akermanis said.

"What will happen if two guys are playing the lead role? 'Hang on man, this is my show'. I know they are both very dominant guys, so they're both going to want their piece of the pie."

Sydney Swans forward Daniel Bradshaw is expected to resume light duties on Friday despite last week's knee arthroscope.

"It was a bit frustrating when I found out, but we decided it was worth getting it done now because there's still plenty of time before the season starts," Bradshaw said.

"It's a pretty minor operation and it's all been going smoothly so I'll start bike riding and swimming tomorrow. I should be back running in a week or two."

Sydney Swans forward Daniel Bradshaw will miss the entire NAB Cup but he is expected to be fit for round one of the premiership season.

"Being an experienced player, Daniel should come around quickly and doing the operation now means his season won't be unduly interrupted," Swans coach Paul Roos said.

Adam Goodes says he will need to re-invent himself as a centre half-forward in 2010 after spending most of his career in the ruck and midfield.

"I'm in the forward line to play a role for our team. If I'm doing my job right with my leading patterns, the ball will be kicked to me, but I'm hopefully creating space and forcing other players to lead, creating opportunities for them as well," Goodes said.

Tadhg Kennelly says that being part of Paul Roos' final season as Swans coach was a big reason he wanted to return to Sydney.

"Kind of in a subconscious way knowing that it was Roosy's last year as well I thought I'd love to be part of it," Kennelly said.

"Him and (assistant coach) George Stone have been the two biggest influences on my career. He has enabled me to express myself in football and really express my opinions on and off the field."

New Sydney Swan Ben McGlynn says he has been impressed with the club's sense of responsibility and leadership.

"This pre-season has shown that everyone - right from the youngest bloke on the list - has been pushing hard at training and getting the most out of each other," he said.

"If we can carry the Bloods through this season and into the next generation, it will hold us in good stead."

Sydney premiership defender Tadhg Kennelly says taking a break from AFL to win a title in the Gaelic Football National Championship has been beneficial to his physical condition.

"Missing last season to return to Ireland has turned out to be a blessing in disguise," he said.

"The body is the best it's been for a long time and I just can't wait to get going.

"I have signed for another two years but, the way I'm feeling, playing beyond 2011 is a real possibility."

Swans midfielder Daniel Hannebery has recovered from a fractured cheekbone that prevented him from flying back to Sydney.

"I am disappointed that my pre-season has had this interruption. I was feeling good before the break and wanted a good start to the new year," Hannebery said.

"I am eager to get back to Sydney and join the rest of the team in pre-season training."

Disappointed with his efforts in 2009, Sydney Swans defender Nick Malceski says he wants to revisit his form of 2007.

"After doing my knee and playing 12 games in 2008, I thought my form was just going to come to me. That is where I fell in a trap," Malceski said.

"I thought I was doing everything right but now I realise I needed to work a lot harder than what I did.

"At the end of the 2009 season I sat down and reviewed every year that I've been here, what I achieved and what I wanted to get out of each year. Last year was a nothing year for me and it was a waste."

Adam Goodes is taking indigenous recruits Lewis Jetta and Byron Sumner under his wing, much like Michael O'Loughlin did with him.

"It was fantastic. We haven't had any new Aboriginal brothers at the club for a while and to get Byron Sumner and Leroy Jetta - two quality kids - is great," Goodes said.

"I'll look after those boys and encourage them along, just the same as the other boys, but it's good to have a little more brotherly love around the place."

Former Lions forward Daniel Bradshaw has completed the formalities and can now begin life as a Sydney Swan after being selected in the pre-season draft.

"I was a bit nervous this morning because you never really know until your name gets called out," Bradshaw said.

"I felt like I was 17 again, waiting for the draft. It would have been a surprise if another team had picked me up but I'm just over the moon to be able to play footy with the Swans."

Tadhg Kennelly says draft concessions to the new Gold Coast and Western Sydney teams will result in a flood of Irish recruits to the AFL.

"There are two new clubs coming into the competition and a lot of the clubs around the country are going to lose draft picks because of concessions," Kennelly said.

"They're going to be looking for the next ready-made talent and I definitely think there's a pool of talent in Ireland that's ready to be tapped into."

Sydney Swans defender Tadhg Kennelly says St Kilda's Irish recruit Tommy Walsh has the raw athleticism to match Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke.

"Tommy's a big, strong guy; he's a monster of a guy," Kennelly said.

"He's extremely strong and that's raw, natural strength.

"He would have done a very, very little amount of weights but he's a very explosive type of player, in the build of a Koschitzke or Riewoldt type at St Kilda."

Former Swan Michael O'Loughlin has won the 2009 Madden Medal, awarded by the AFLPA to a player who has recently retired and who demonstrated outstanding on-field football achievements.

"I think I got everything out of myself by playing through injuries and getting through that side of things. The off field stuff was certainly important, particularly in Sydney where we are trying to promote the game," O'Loughlin said.

Former Geelong captain Tom Harley will work with Team GWS in the football, corporate and marketing departments.

"I know what it means to be involved [in a new club], particularly from a player's perspective," he said.

"Now that I've moved to Sydney, I want to be a part of the growth of the game and its development in a market that's new to both me and the code.

"This is as much about the learning experience and tapping into the great resources at the AFL as it is for me sharing my knowledge and experience."

Former Sydney Swans star Daryn Cresswell will appear in a Maroochydore court next March on fraud and forgery charges.

Sydney recruit Lewis Jetta plans to make the city his long-term home.

"If I could play 150 games and win a premiership with Sydney, I'd be happy with that - that's at least what I'll try to do," Jetta said.

Lewis Jetta was expecting to be picked up by Sydney after having a chat with Adam Goodes prior to the 2009 NAB AFL draft.

"He told me good luck and said something about pick 14," Jetta said at his first day of training at his new club.

"I did not believe him until when I had my name called out and I was thinking in my head, 'You just spoiled the moment Goodesy'. I wanted to be surprised ... but it is alright, I am here now."

New Sydney Swans recruit Lewis Jetta expects to play AFL in his first year after overcoming the disappointment of being overlooked in the 2007 draft and playing against bigger bodies all year.

"I just tried to work hard, went back to the country and got used to the bigger bodies in the league," he said at his first day of training at Lakeside Oval.

"After that, I went back up to the Swans [Swan Districts] and turned it on."

Sydney Swans recruit Gary Rohan never imagined he would be a first-round selection in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft at pick No. 6.

"I never thought it would happen," Rohan said.

"I had a good year and got a heap of support from people back in Cobden and my family and friends."

West Coast is expected to surprise at the national draft when it overlooks wingman Lewis Jetta with its first pick.

The Eagles are believed favour of East Fremantle defender Brad Sheppard instead.

After 25 games in four seasons, Sydney Swans utility Ed Barlow knows 2010 is a make-or-break year.

"This year is a make or break year for me. I'm really looking forward to it and I'm really excited by the challenge," he said.

"I need to work on being in the game for the whole time and not dropping off. If something goes wrong, I can't dwell on it but instead, I need to always try to be positive and keep in the game."

Luke Ablett has asked the Swans not to re-draft him after being delisted by them.

"Luke felt that he still had something to offer to AFL football and has asked that he not be re-drafted by the Sydney Swans," Sydney coach Paul Roos said.

"We're very supportive of Luke's decision and certainly agree that he does have something to offer AFL football, and wish him luck in Thursday's draft."

Tadgh Kennelly says he is glad to be back at the Swans and is looking forward to working in tandem with Rhyce Shaw and Nick Malceski.

"Obviously it will be great to have Rhyce Shaw and Nick Malceski up and going ... it gives one of us the opportunity to go into the midfield or half forward," he said.

"I'm sure there will be a rotation policy that will happen and it's something that the club was looking forward to last year before I made the decision to leave. Obviously we can look forward to doing it now in 2010."

Kennelly also believes he'll be a better player following his time in Ireland.

"I owe the Swans a lot and feel I'll be a much better player because I don't have that drawcard of going back to Ireland any more," Kennelly said.

"I feel that weight is off my shoulders. I feel like I can now express myself a lot more."

New Collingwood recruit Darren Jolly is keen to repay the faith shown in him by the Magpies.

"I suppose I feel a little bit of pressure The club's put a fair bit of faith into me [by] giving me a four-year deal," he said.

"I'm not really paying much attention to it; I'm just trying to get out there and have a really good crack over pre-season and get to know everyone and get as fit and as strong as I can."

Sydney coach Paul Roos reveals that St Kilda counterpart Ross Lyon tried to snare Tadhg Kennelly.

"Rossy rang me during trade week and was up front with me, and just said the Saints wanted to explore the options with Tadhg," Roos said.

"But I said to him at the time, 'If Tadhg comes back to Australia, I strongly believe he'll come back to us at the Swans'. He's a huge part of this footy club and we knew his heart lay in Sydney."

Tadhg Kennelly's Swans teammates are delighted that he has returned from Ireland.

"Having recruited the likes of Rhyce Shaw and Marty Mattner, and with Nick Malceski back there, we're going to have some great run with bringing Tadhg back into the team," Swans co-captain Brett Kirk said.

"Those guys haven't played a lot of footy together so we're really looking forward to having some real rebound, which you need in AFL footy these days."

The Sydney Swans have delisted Luke Ablett and Henry Playfair, allowing them to nominate for the NAB AFL Draft although Sydney coach Paul Roos says there is a chance they may be re-drafted.

"We've delisted them to give them a chance elsewhere but both of them are still training here," Roos said.

"We'll assess them against how many picks we want, and what Luke or Henry brings compared to a young player coming into the list."

Premiership defender Tadhg Kennelly has returned to the Swans after achieving his ambition of winning an All-Ireland title with Kerry.

"It's great news for the footy club," Sydney coach Paul Roos told SEN radio.

"He's a terrific player and the year off has only helped him from a footy point of view get his body back right and we look forward to seeing him next week."

Guy O'Keefe, Dan O'Keefe and Bryce Carroll will join Geelong's pre-season training in the lead-up to the NAB AFL Draft.

Barry Hall will undergo minor ankle surgery prior to training with his new Western Bulldogs teammates.

Sydney elevates Rhyce Shaw into the club's leadership group for 2010.

"Rhyce has been terrific. He finished second in our best and fairest, but the days are gone when you just get in the leadership group just for finishing first, second, third or fourth," Sydney coach Paul Roos said.

"His impact around the club has been really positive. He is working really hard, he is training really hard, so he brought a lot to the club which has been terrific."

Tadhg Kennelly reveals how close he came to cutting short his AFL career in his new book Unfinished Business.

"I was hit by a serious bout of homesickness," Kennelly writes.

"Every time I was at my local shopping centre, I would stand there and stare at the fares for London and picture myself walking inside and booking a ticket. So many times I wanted to do it, not tell anyone, hop in a taxi to the airport.

"I was in a very dark place; in fact, I would say I was depressed. Each night I would cry myself to sleep. I would hide in my room and ask myself over and over again, 'What the f--- am I doing?'"

New Swan Josh Kennedy says Sydney's track record with recycled players was a factor in his decision to head north.

"They've got a good record with Craig Bolton and Ted Richards - just a couple of names that come to mind," Kennedy said.

"Obviously I've got a fair bit of improvement to go and a bit of hard work to do to create a name for myself, in a sense, but it was certainly a factor in making the decision."

Sydney coach Paul Roos believes Daniel Bradshaw will fit in perfectly at the Swans next to young forward Jesse White after the departures of Barry Hall and Michael O'Loughlin.

"Bradshaw is just the perfect player who can play out of full-forward with Jesse White next to him, so being able to emulate what Mick's been able to do and kick goals and help Jesse and tackle and set up things," Roos said.

"In terms of the number of goals, who knows? But in terms of the amount of experience, we know he can be a quality player and person who can provide some experience that we've lost."

Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos says the club has not yet set a deadline for Tadhg Kennelly's decision on his AFL future with Kennelly currently in the middle of a book launch.

"Obviously he's been really busy with the book launch and the grand final and all that other stuff, so I haven't spoken to him," Roos said.

"But I think he's smart enough to know. He's got a manager over here who deals with a lot of other players and he'd be aware of that."

In his book, Kennelly describes the emotions involved in deciding between Gaelic football and AFL.

"I described how my heart was with Kerry and how I felt I hadn't yet become all I could be as a Gaelic footballer," he wrote.

"All of this was true but the reality was I didn't know what I was going to do. There were so many factors to consider.

"My family, my life with Nicole, my financial future, my sense of unfinished business in Australia."

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse hopes the addition of ruckman Darren Jolly will help the club win more ruck clearances.

"He's a premiership ruckman. He's competed against the best ruckmen and performed very well. We believe he will give us more offensive clearances," Malthouse said of Jolly while adding that the new addition may free up opportunities for Fraser to play in other areas of the ground.

"Josh might play as a ruck rover. He might play as a half-forward," Malthouse said.

Young Sydney Swan Tim Schmidt has retired at the age of 23 to pursue a career in real estate.

Daniel Cross says Western Bulldogs players threw their support behind recruiting Barry Hall just two days after bowing out of the AFL finals.

"I think looking forward, having big Barry down there is going to give the forward line more help," Cross said.

''Hopefully, he's going to open more options for the team and for the coaches going forward."

Promising young Sydney Swans midfielder Dan Hannebery has been suspended for his part in a prank involving the throwing of eggs at Melbourne's Xavier College.

The Swans, however, have decided that they will not take any further action against the youngster.

New Sydney Swans recruit Josh Kennedy explains it was in his best interests to leave the club where his father and grandfather were legends.

"It was a really tough decision. I made sure that I took the time and spoke to the right people - family, friends, all the people at Hawthorn including Alastair Clarkson and everyone else involved, just to see where they thought I sat and what was the best path for me in terms of opportunity and being able to play senior football," Kennedy said.

Daniel O'Keefe, Ryan Brabazon and Matthew Laidlaw have been delisted by the Sydney Swans.

New Collingwood ruckman Darren Jolly has sets his sights on winning a premiership for the Magpies.

They will be very exciting times at Collingwood in the next few years. I am happy to play my role and do my bit for the team and help them get that next step further and hopefully get a premiership," Jolly said.

Hawthorn midfielders Josh Kennedy and Ben McGlynn have been traded to the Sydney Swans for draft selections 39, 46 and 70.

"While we are disappointed to be losing both Josh and Ben to the Sydney Swans we understand that both players have been presented with opportunities that they see as attractive and wish them well for the future," Hawthorn general manager of player personnel and strategy Chris Pelchen said.

Collingwood seals deal to secure Swans ruckman Darren Jolly in a trade.

The Magpies ultimately exchanged draft picks 14 and 46 in exchange for Jolly after being unable to come to terms with the Swans on Magpie players available for trade.

New Bulldog Barry Hall says he has a great deal to offer his new team and says he will do his best to rectify his on-field issues.

"I guess there's always going to be question marks, and I'm certainly not going to shy away from that. I'm going to do my very best to repay the Bulldogs for showing faith in me," Hall said.

"I can't promise anything. I'm not going to beat around the bush or anything like that, but I think I can get on top of it.

"It can end pretty badly if it does happen, and I'm very aware of that."

Barry Hall will play with the Western Bulldogs in 2010 after the club agreed to terms with the Sydney Swans.

"It was a tense couple of days. I thought it would get done with a couple of minutes to go on Friday," Hall said.

"The uncertainty is out of the way now, which is great, and we can look forward to setting up down here and crack into training. The hard work begins now, and I'm really excited."

Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade was pleased with his new acquisition.

"He's such a team-orientated person. I think he can mentor our young forwards as well so there's a dual role there for him. It's certainly pleasing to get it done early in the week," Eade said.

West Coast, the Sydney Swans and the Lions look to have arranged for four players to change clubs.

Amon Buchanan and Brent Staker will head to Brisbane, Sydney will acquire Mark Seaby while the Eagles are set to gain Brad Dalziell.

"It's a good opportunity for him (Buchanan). We had some discussion with him at the end of the year - both us and Amon were undecided - should he stay at Sydney or should he go," Sydney coach Paul Roos said.

"He's a premiership player and a fantastic player, but probably his past couple of years he's been battling a little bit.

"Brisbane was interested, so we were happy to facilitate that, which means we can get Seaby in."

Barry Hall's path south is not as clear as it seemed, with the Bulldogs reluctant to meet the Swans' initial demands and saying they are prepared to pick Hall up in the pre-season draft if necessary.

"The big issue for us is Barry is prepared to go to the draft. I'm not sure how much interest there is from other clubs, and he's made it very clear that he wants to play at the Western Bulldogs," Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia said.

"We are the club of his choice and we'd love to get him, there's not issue about that, but it might need to be a pre-season draft situation."

As St Kilda prepare to face Geelong in the 2009 grand final, Barry Hall recalls the pain of being a part of the St Kilda side that lost in the 1997 grand final to Adelaide.

''When we (the Swans) lost the 2006 grand final, it was different because we were in that game until the final siren, but in 1997, running around with five or 10 minutes to go, knowing the game is out of your reach, it was such an empty feeling, and you just wanted it over,'' Hall said.

Hall says his heart wants St Kilda to win for those who have stuck by the club.

''There's a lot of trainers who have stuck it out and done the hard yards, it would be reward for them, and of course the fans,'' he said.

The Western Bulldogs' search for a key forward appears to be over with Barry Hall almost certain to join the club for the 2010 season .

"There remain a number of issues the parties involved need to work through, however the Western Bulldogs remain hopeful an agreement can be reached," Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia said.

Scott Welsh retires from football after giving two years of service to the Western Bulldogs since moving over from Adelaide.

Welsh's retirement provides salary cap room for the Bulldogs to pursue former Swan Barry Hall.

Former Sydney star Tadhg Kennelly appears to have turned his back on a return to the Australia and the AFL saying he is committed to County Kerry in Ireland.

"I've had a great time at Sydney. I haven't really thought about it at the moment, but I will sit down and have a good think about it," Kennelly said.

"My head is truly, truly set on Kerry. And my heart. That's probably the main thing that has come out here."

The chances of Tadhg Kennelly rejoining Sydney are boosted after Kerry wins Gaelic football's final.

Kennelly scored twice to help Kerry to beat Cork in Gaelic football's All-Ireland final.

Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos will travel to Ireland to watch Tadhg Kennelly's Gaelic football grand final this weekend and says Kennelly returning to play for the Swans is still a possibility.

"If at some time in the future he wants to bring it up, I'm certainly happy to talk and see where he's at and where his body is and what he's thinking," Roos said.

Swans club champion Ryan O'Keefe says he's grateful to the supporters who welcomed him back after a failed transfer bid.

"I was a little bit hesitant, not so much with the players or internally at the club, but with fans and members," he said.

"I wasn't quite sure what sort of response I'd get from them. I suppose after a while they warmed to me again, though."

Sydney's reigning best and fairest winner, Jarrad McVeigh, signs a new contract until the end of 2012.

''It's nice to get it done and we're really pleased, he's obviously one of our quality players, he won the club champion award in 2008, has been another very good player for us this year, and the other thing is he's a really well-respected person around the club and probably one of the emerging leaders from our younger group,'' Swans football manager Andrew Ireland said.

Geelong midfielder Joel Selwood has been recognised as the AFL's most courageous player by his peers after winning the Robert Rose most courageous player award at the AFLPA's awards dinner.

Selwood - fifth in the MVP voting - polled 248 votes ahead of Sydney's Brett Kirk (132) and St Kilda's Lenny Hayes (91).

Swans ruckman Darren Jolly subscribes to the view that big men take longer than small men to develop into elite footballers after having one of his best seasons in 2009.

"I started when I was 19, so naturally you're going to have to grow into your body to have a bit of strength and a bit of size about you," he said.

"They've been saying for years and years that big blokes take longer to develop and it's probably true. I've had my best year so far and I'm enjoying being in my footy prime."