Swans fly firmly into contention

Neil Cordy

The Daily Telegraph, June 16













THE Swans are counting their blessings Tom McCartin decided to put his studies on hold for this year and become a professional footballer.

The youngest player in the competition could easily be at St Joseph’s College in Geelong completing Year 12 instead of making an instant impact in the AFL. He and is family thought long and hard before deciding at Christmas to start playing for Sydney.

The Swans were faced with a similar scenario in 2008 when they drafted Dan Hannebery with pick 30. The teenager chose to stay in Melbourne and complete Year 12 at Xavier College before playing the last seven games of 2009 while still attending high school.

McCartin is becoming the perfect foil for Lance Franklin and has reaped the benefits of full-time training and is backing up his bold call with actions on the field.

Friday night’s hard-fought win over ladder leaders West Coast was just the fifth game of his career but his enormous work rate and competitiveness was there for all to see.

The 18-year-old finished with 16 possessions, including 9 contested, and six inside 50s in his best game at the top level.

Despite being the younger brother of St Kilda’s 2014 No.1 draft pick Paddy McCartin, Swans list manager Kinnear Beatson only started looking at Tom last year.

The then 17-year-old not only looked good on the field but he also presented extremely well when interviewed.

“He’s certainly mature beyond his years,” Beatson said.

“When we interviewed Tom before the draft he presented himself like a man in his mid-twenties. He has a real composure about him, he can hold a conversation and provide context to what he’s talking about.”

AFL: Swans defeat Eagles, young Swans midfielder stars in tight contest

Matt Balmer

Fox Sports, June 15

SYDNEY young gun Oliver Florent has arguably been the Swans’ most consistent player over the last two months.

Florent’s strong form has coincided with a hot run of form for the Swans, who have won their last six games, jumping into second place after their win over West Coast on Friday night by 17 points.

The former Sandringham Dragon now has six games in a row where he has collected over 20 disposals, including a career-high 29 disposals in the victory over the Eagles.

Before the match, former Hawthorn great Dermott Brereton lauded the Sydney Swans’ development, believing they get the most out of their second year players from any team in the competition.

And Brereton was spot on the money — with youngsters Florent and Hayward, standing up at crucial stages in the hot contest.

“Ollie (Florent) has found his feet in the last six or seven weeks, he’s really come of age in this team,” Brereton told Fox Footy.

“I know when he was 17, he did a 15.1 beep test. He’s got really good endurance, got a very good mind, he’s a very good sidestep and he’s suddenly found his feet.

“Since round eight, he’s finding a lot of footy and he gets the Swans out of traffic and if you have a look at some of those midfielders, they pound their way through — this kid crafts his way through it.”