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David Swallow

#24   Gold Coast Suns
Age: 31yr 3mth    Games: 222     Born: November 19, 1992     Origin: East Fremantle
Height: 186cm     Weight: 87kg     Position: Midfield
Drafted: Round 1, Pick #1 2010 National Draft by Gold Coast Suns
Supercoach Price: $421,600   Supercoach Profile
AFL Fantasy Price: $626,000   AFL Fantasy Profile
Contract Status: UFA at the end of 2025   AFL Player Contracts
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Bio

David Swallow Biography

Thursday, 25 August 2022
Touk Miller claims back-to-back Gold Coast best and fairest awards after another stellar season in 2022.

The prolific midfielder finished the count on 566 ahead of Noah Anderson (504) and David Swallow (479).

Saturday, 23 July 2022
David Swallow will break Jarrod Harbrow's club games record this week when Gold Coast takes on Brisbane in the QClash.

"It's a great honour, very humbling. When you start your career you want to play a lot of games, and my journey has been a bit different with a few injuries and a bit's happened at the footy club, it hasn't been all smooth sailing. To get to this point is a nice achievement," he said.

Monday, 21 February 2022
Gold Coast will head into 2022 with Touk Miller to join Jarrod Witts to serve as co-captains of the club.

The change comes after David Swallow stepped down from the captaincy following four years at the helm alongside Witts.

Sam Collins is the vice-captain, while Swallow will be joined by third-year midfielder Noah Anderson, Sean Lemmens and Nick Holman in the seven-man leadership group.

Sunday, 5 September 2021
Touk Miller caps a career-best season by winning Gold Coast's Club Champion award for 2021.

Miller hit the lead in round four and ended the night on 562 votes, well clear of Wil Powell (396) and David Swallow (352).

Wednesday, 4 March 2020
Touk Miller will again serve as vice-captain for the Suns in 2020 under co-captains Jarrod Witts and David Swallow, while Brayden Fiorini, Alex Sexton and new addition Sam Collins round out the six-man leadership group.
Saturday, 31 August 2019
Jarrod Witts is named Gold Coast's 2019 club champion, capping off an outstanding 12 months for the towering ruckman.

Witts tallied 553 votes to be well clear of his fellow Suns vice-captain David Swallow (417) who finished second.

Monday, 25 February 2019
Gold Coast appoints David Swallow and Jarrod Witts as co-captains for the 2019 season.

Witts and Swallow will form a new look eight-man leadership group that includes Touk Miller and Pearce Hanley as vice-captains and Alex Sexton, Jarrod Harbrow, Brayden Fiorini and George Horlin-Smith.

"It's very humbling. It's quite a proud moment for myself," Swallow said.

"I'm really confident with the program and the leaders underneath that we'll see success in the near future."

Wednesday, 2 January 2019
David Swallow explains why he has remained loyal to the Suns.

"I missed a couple of years of footy and I want to contribute my part and I felt to leave, not that it wouldn't have been fair, but I just wanted to help the club. That feeling of loyalty is always there," Swallow said.

"I've got a strong sense of Gold Coast being home and I just love it."

Swallow says he doesn't begrudge many of his former teammates who have left the club.

"As much as I'd love them to stay, it's their choice and you've just got to get on with it. I'm still going to be mates with them, it's just how the industry works."

Wednesday, 7 November 2018
David Swallow turns his back on free agency after signing a five-year deal to remain with Gold Coast until the end of 2024.

"I’ve thought about it for a while now, I'm happy to get it done and looking forward to the next few years. I'm committed to helping the club get to where it wants to get to," Swallow said.

"The Gold Coast community has really embraced us in my time up here. My partner Georgia and I love living on the Gold Coast – it's home. We’ve got a young family, we’ve got a business, we’re really settled here."

Saturday, 28 July 2018
David Swallow is ruled out for the rest of the Sun's clash against Carlton after a heavy Patrick Cripps tackle at Metricon Stadium.

Swallow copped the full weight of the Carlton midfielder after disposing of the ball and had to be helped off by a number of Suns trainers.

Play had to be momentarily stopped while Swallow was groggily helped from the field.

Tuesday, 10 July 2018
David Swallow has opened up about what keeps him with Gold Coast when many of his mates have left.

Including the year he was granted special permission to play with the Suns in the VFL as a 17-year-old, Swallow is in his ninth year at Carrara – all of them losing seasons.

"It's just the challenge of it all. Trying to prove people wrong and make this club successful," Swallow said.

"For me personally I like living on the Gold Coast. You have a certain loyalty to the club in terms of what they've given to me and my family.

"I'm certainly committed to try and help the club and get the success that everyone that has been here a long time deserves."

Sunday, 29 April 2018
Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew is full of praise for David Swallow after the midfielder racked up 32 disposals while also kicking three goals in the Suns' loss to 48-point loss to Adelaide.

“AFL has changed a little bit in the last three years and I think what he has done is adjust," Dew said of Swallow.

“I think he’s just got a real appetite to compete, so he does get from contest to contest and at times he is spreading on the outside.

“When you see him running like that it’s really impressive.”

Wednesday, 4 April 2018
David Swallow has been through more than most in his time at Gold Coast, but on the eve of his 100th game, says he never really contemplated going elsewhere.

"Obviously there were times when I was struggling to get my body right and it (doubt) does creep into your mind, but the body's feeling really good at the moment and I'm enjoying being out there," he said.

"I had those injuries at a funny time. When I thought I was starting to find my feet I had those unfortunate couple of years.

"The club was really good and stuck by me and I guess I just wanted to repay the faith."

Wednesday, 21 February 2018
Tom Lynch and Steven May will again co-captain Gold Coast in 2018.

Ruckman Jarrod Witts and midfielder Pearce Hanley have been added to a leadership group that again contains David Swallow, Matt Rosa, Michael Barlow and Touk Miller.

Michael Rischitelli has stepped aside from the role.

"Both Tom and Steven have been extremely invested in the program since my arrival," Suns head coach Stuart Dew said.

"The eight-man leadership group will work closely with myself and the entire football department to ensure we can create an environment that is aligned to our values and provides the best possible opportunity for growth both on and off the field."

Thursday, 9 November 2017
Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew has hinted the Suns are unlikely to recruit former North Melbourne captain Andrew Swallow and pair him with his brother David Swallow.

"We certainly know he's a solid citizen, but we've got to make the decision based on the whole group and the whole club," Dew said.

"He's still attached to North, but I think that's just going to play out. It won't be an Andrew Swallow decision; it will be more a club decision and where he's at in his career."

Wednesday, 8 November 2017
Andrew Swallow's chances of joining younger brother, David Swallow, at Gold Coast are looking increasingly remote, with time fast running out on the former North Melbourne captain's bid for a fresh start.

For Swallow to get to Gold Coast as a rookie, North would have to agree to delist him by Thursday's 2pm second list lodgement deadline, something the Roos are prepared to do. The West Australian would then have to nominate for the draft by 2pm next Friday (November 17).

That two-step process is extremely unlikely to get off the ground, however, unless Swallow receives a prior commitment from the Suns.

Tuesday, 17 October 2017
Andrew Swallow has asked for a trade from North Melbourne to Gold Coast to fulfill his dream of playing with his brother David Swallow.

"David's up there and his partner Georgie is pregnant, so apart from wanting to play with David and go and live on the Gold Coast, that will also assist David (by) having his brother (and sister-in-law Elise) around as a young father and both working together at the club," Swallow's manager Colin Young said.

"There was a lot of different reasons and Andrew even was mooted last year that he might want to get up there, and we did raise that last year (in the trade period) but unfortunately it couldn't happen."

Tuesday, 9 May 2017
David Swallow will miss the Suns' game in China against Port Adelaide after sustaining a knee injury against Geelong.

"We’re really conscious and careful of David; obviously he has had some injuries that have been long-term with his knee," Gold Coast football manager Marcus Ashcroft said.

"It’s not a long term issue. He’ll rest this weekend and won’t play. With the long flight over to China we won’t risk him in any way."

Thursday, 30 March 2017
David Swallow will play his first senior game in almost two years this week.

His last game was against the Western Bulldogs in Cairns in July 2015, before knee problems kept him off the field in 2016.

Tuesday, 24 January 2017
Jarrod Harbrow and Gary Ablett are dropped from the Suns' leadership group for 2017.

Harbrow and Ablett are replaced by off-season recruit Michael Barlow and midfielder Touk Miller.

Michael Rischitelli, Matt Rosa and David Swallow have held their spots in the group, alongside co-captains Steven May and Tom Lynch.

"Michael Rischitelli, Matt Rosa and David Swallow are already established leaders at our football club and in Michael and David's case they've been playing that role for some time," Suns coach Rodney Eade said.

"Similar to Matty Rosa last year, Michael Barlow has made an immediate impact on the playing group, leading by example on and off the field, and his elevation to the player leadership group demonstrates the influence he has had on the team in a relatively short period of time."

Thursday, 1 December 2016
David Swallow has quickly quelled any speculation about his future, committing to a new deal that will keep him at Gold Coast until the end of 2019.

"I am excited as anyone about 2017," Swallow said.

"We have recruited so well, I am super impressed with the new players who have joined the club and the boys are training the house down.”

After a tough run with injuries, Swallow says he has regained fitness and confidence in his knee and is already training strongly with the main group.

"This is probably a strange thing to say, because many players hate the thought of the long hard yards of pre-season training, but I am really enjoying being back out on the track," Swallow said.

"Feeling the pain from training as hard as you can is a pain I haven't experienced in a long time and I can't tell you how happy I am to be in that position."

Monday, 7 November 2016
Michael Barlow has met with Gold Coast as he looks for a club to continue his AFL career.

The 28-year-old ex-Docker met with potential new teammates David Swallow and Matt Rosa on the Gold Coast on Sunday to discuss a move to the Suns.

Gold Coast confirmed the club had spoken to Barlow, but the midfielder is understood to be considering his options.

Saturday, 20 August 2016
David Swallow has suffered another setback on the comeback trail, with the club reporting the midfielder had sustained a "suspected hamstring strain" in the NEAFL.

Suns coach Rodney Eade told 3AW he was not overly concerned about the West Australian's injury.

"At worst, if he was going to play again, (he might miss) maybe a week or two. It's nothing too severe … but they just erred on the side of caution, especially with him not playing many games," Eade said.

Tuesday, 1 March 2016
David Swallow is set to miss up to half the season after an arthroscope on his left knee revealed bone bruising.

The 2014 best and fairest winner could miss up to eight weeks in rehabilitation and another eight with training to regain fitness, which would take his return date to the season's mid-point.

Wednesday, 24 February 2016
David Swallow undergoes arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and no timeframe has been given on a return.

The setback continues a frustrating run for the 23-year-old, who played just six games in 2015 after suffering back-to-back posterior cruciate ligament injuries.

"David had an arthroscopy after experiencing some discomfort in his left knee," general manager of football operations Marcus Ashcroft said.

"The arthroscope revealed that David’s recovery hadn’t progressed as well as he had hoped and as a result his return to football will be delayed."

Tuesday, 26 January 2016
David Swallow concedes he returned from a knee injury too soon last year, but says he is benefitting from a "smarter" approach that has him on track to play in the NAB Challenge and season proper.

"I rushed back too early last year and probably paid the price for it," Swallow said.

"In my first few years in general I probably didn't look after myself as well as I could have and always wanted to train as hard as I could.

"Hopefully I'm a bit smarter now, listening to my body more and being more patient to make sure I get my body right so I can stay out there longer."

Tuesday, 14 July 2015
David Swallow will be sidelined for the remainder of the season after aggravating his right posterior cruciate ligament during Gold Coast's match against the Western Bulldogs in Cairns.

"David aggravated his PCL during Saturday's game and as a result he will miss the remainder of the season," Gold Coast general manager of football operations Marcus Ashcroft said.

"Our medical staff, David and specialists will discuss the options available to him in the coming days before determining the most appropriate way to rehabilitate the injury."

Tuesday, 28 April 2015
David Swallow will miss eight to ten weeks with a strained posterior cruciate in his right knee.

Gold Coast general manager of football operations, Marcus Ashcroft, said Swallow would consult with a specialist on Wednesday to determine if surgery was required.

"The timeframe David will be sidelined for is still to be determined. We do know that if no surgery is required he will miss a minimum of 8-10 weeks," Ashcroft said.

Saturday, 6 September 2014
David Swallow has won his first Gold Coast club champion award, edging out fellow vice-captains Tom Lynch and Dion Prestia in a thrilling count at the Sharks Event Centre.

Swallow is the first man to unseat captain Gary Ablett as the Suns' best and fairest in the club's four-year history.
Wednesday, 26 March 2014
David Swallow extends his contract with Gold Coast and will remain a Sun until at least the end of 2017.

"I'm really pleased to re-sign with Gold Coast," Swallow said.

"We are continuing to move in the right direction and I really believe we are not too far away from achieving the success we spoke about during our establishment, even before we joined the AFL."

Thursday, 30 January 2014
After being named as joint vice-captain of the Suns, David Swallow signals his intention to remain at Gold Coast after this year when his contract runs out.

"I love the boys I play alongside," Swallow said.

"I'm really looking forward to what this year brings and hopefully the next couple of years.

"My manager is talking to the club and hopefully we can work something out."

Wednesday, 29 January 2014
Gary Ablett will remain Gold Coast's captain for a fourth straight season, while the Suns have elevated youngsters David Swallow, Dion Prestia and Tom Lynch into their leadership group.

Swallow, Prestia and Lynch will join Nathan Bock and Michael Rischitelli as vice captains.

"We have been really pleased with the way our playing group has evolved," Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna said.

"Our experienced guys, like Gary, Nathan and Michael, have had a huge task in not just establishing and growing our club but also our players, and for us now to be in a position to elevate some of our inaugural season debutants can be attributed to their great work."

Monday, 13 August 2012
Suns coach Guy McKenna praises David Swallow for his strength as the midfielder ends his 2012 campaign due to a knee injury that has plagued him for most of the year.

"For him to go through that, it's something you don't want to do with young players, and there'd be only a select few you'd do it to, but he's of that character you know he's always going to end up on top of things," McKenna said.

"He's seen enough action and duty for this year and we'll make sure he's right and ready to go for the end of the season."

Tuesday, 19 June 2012
David Swallow's recovery from a knee injury is taking longer than expected, with the Sun facing another month out.

"He's just started to move around and do a bit of running and strengthening work," Gold Coast football operations manager Marcus Ashcroft said.

"When he first did it, it was always around the eight-10 week call, so he's still on track. I think everyone thought we had the bye mid year and he'd be right after that, but it's still a similar timeframe to what was initially diagnosed."

Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Gold Coast youngster David Swallow is set to miss up to six weeks with a posterior cruciate ligament injury.

"Scans on David's left knee have confirmed that he has strained his PCL," Gold Coast general manager of football Marcus Ashcroft said.

"We will treat the injury conservatively and at this early stage we anticipate that he will miss six weeks with the injury."

Saturday, 14 April 2012
Gold Coast youngster David Swallow will re-signs with the Suns until the end of 2014.

"I'm really excited to re-sign with the Suns," Swallow said.

"We have a young group who are building something pretty special and together I think we will share some success in the future."

Friday, 24 February 2012
Gold Coast has moved to secure David Swallow beyond 2013 as his manager admits interest from rival clubs.

"I've had a few calls from clubs, and I've just said nothing's happening at the moment," Swallow's manager Colin Young said.

"David is in a great position. Whether he wants to stay at the Gold Coast, whether he wants to go back to Perth, whether he wants to stay with his brother or play with another Melbourne club; there are lots of options.

"But it's pretty way off now to have a chat to him about what's going on. He just wants to have a big year."

Wednesday, 22 February 2012
David Swallow, at just 19, is still one of the youngest players on the Suns' list and is now part of the seven-man leadership group.

"I'm looking forward to having a say in what goes on around the club," Swallow said.

"Last year Bluey (coach Guy McKenna) talked to me about it (leadership), and over the pre-season I thought it was something I'd like to be part of coming into this year.

"Last year it probably wasn't on my radar, but pre-season is pretty long and I had some time to think about it and I put my hand up and was lucky enough to get in."

Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Gold Coast midfielder and pre-season favourite David Swallow is the Round 14 nominee for the NAB AFL Rising Star award.

"You can't really control where you get picked up and what number," Swallow said about being the no. 1 pick in last year's draft.

"I guess there was probably a bit of pressure at the start of the year but you just concentrate on the things you can control - that's to play good footy and play your role within the team."

Thursday, 23 June 2011
After a slow start, David Swallow's combination with Gary Ablett is improving by the week.

"Definitely the bond is getting there, just knowing where he runs to and how he sets up at stoppages, we're definitely getting better," Swallow said.

"The more time we have together hopefully the better we'll get. He's the ultimate professional. He's an absolute freak on the field. He's averaged 30-35 touches a game I think. The way he goes about it in all aspects of his life is outstanding."

Saturday, 2 April 2011
David Swallow makes his AFL debut for Gold Coast at the Gabba with 17 disposals (5 kicks and 12 handballs), 2 marks and 4 tackles in a 119-point loss to Carlton.
Monday, 13 December 2010
Just weeks after securing David Swallow with the No. 1 draft pick, the Gold Coast Sun extend their prize recruit's contract by 12 months.

"I'm now going to be here beyond next year so I'm rapt," Swallow said.

"It [pre-season training] is definitely a step up from last year that's for sure but it's going really well. They're really pushing us hard but that how it's got to be if we're going to be ready for next year."

Thursday, 18 November 2010
former AIS-AFL Academy coach Jason McCartney says 2010 No. 1 draft pick David Swallow is the complete package.

"There's not much missing from him," McCartney said.

"His work rate is massive, he plays with great physicality, he loves winning contested footy and he's got super endurance."

No. 1 draft pick David Swallow has set his sights on making his AFL debut when Gold Coast plays its first ever match in round two next year.

"I found out yesterday, officially, that I was going to be taken at number one and it's a great honour," Swallow said.

"There's going to be pressures associated with being a number one pick and I've still got a long way to go. I've got to prove myself in the coming years."

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