As the Sydney Swans’ recruitment team closes in on this year’s AFL Draft, set to be held at Marvel Stadium on November 27 and 28, Swans Media looks at a raft of draftees who produced stellar first seasons in red and white.

John Stevens (1997)

John Stevens underwent heart surgery at the age of 18 but fought back to enjoy a 78-game AFL career – and his first season was outstanding. The speedy left-foot winger arrived at the Swans as a 25-year-old via pick 10 at the 1997 pre-season draft and broke through for his senior debut against Melbourne in Round 3, which saw him collect 16 disposals and two goals. Although Sydney had qualified for the 1996 Grand Final and was packed with stars of the game – including Tony Lockett, Paul Kelly, Paul Roos and Stuart Maxfield – Stevens managed 19 of a possible 23 AFL games in his first season.

Former Sydney Swans winger John Stevens in action in 2001. He enjoyed a brilliant debut campaign in 1997.

Lewis Jetta (2010)

A lightning-quick winger from WAFL club Swans Districts impressed from the start after landing at Sydney via pick 14 at the 2009 AFL Draft. Lewis Jetta was of a different mould to most first-year draftees; not only did he turn 21 early in his debut 2010 season, he had tackled plenty of WAFL game time prior to being drafted, preparing him for the intensity of the AFL. The exciting Swan featured in 20 of a possible 24 top-level games, averaging 13.35 touches per match and establishing a reputation as an ultra-clean user of the footy. Jetta ran out for 127 AFL matches in Sydney colours and was a member of the Swans’ 2012 premiership team, before departing for the West Coast Eagles ahead of season 2016. He won a premiership with the Eagles in 2018 and is now just four games short of 200 AFL games.

Alex Johnson (2011)

The footy world is well aware of Alex Johnson’s injury-plagued AFL career, but the key defender enjoyed a blazing start to his time at the top level. The Oakleigh Chargers product arrived at the Swans via pick 57 at the 2010 AFL Draft and played 20 of a possible 24 senior games in his debut 2011 campaign. Sydney lost acclaimed tall defender Craig Bolton to retirement ahead of season 2011, but Johnson starred in his void, helping Heath Grundy and Ted Richards blanket the opposition’s best key forwards. The 2012 premiership backman had played 47 AFL games when Sydney delisted him at the end of season 2018, ending a luckless run at the Swans in which he tore his ACL six times. Coach John Longmire has often said a young Johnson was earmarked as the club’s primary key defender for the next decade, but his body wouldn’t allow it.

Former Sydney Swans defender Alex Johnson belting out the victory song after his debut match.

Isaac Heeney (2015)

Swans fans knew a superstar had arrived when Isaac Heeney snapped the winning goal on his AFL debut, sealing victory for Sydney over Essendon in Round 1, 2015. While a knee injury limited the QBE Sydney Swans Academy graduate to just 14 senior games in his first season, the boy from Newcastle with a mop of blonde hair still managed to win the club’s Rising Star honour. Heeney received an AFL Rising Star nomination after snaring four goals against GWS in Round 3, before posting four goals from 21 touches against St Kilda in Round 22 in another brilliant performance. The rising midfielder, who arrived at the Swans via selection 18 at the 2014 AFL Draft, has now played 102 AFL games and is a member of Sydney’s leadership group.

A younger Isaac Heeney celebrates kicking a goal in his debut 2015 season.

Tom Papley (2016)

Tom Papley’s exceptional debut season was another reminder the Rookie Draft is capable of unearthing a gem. The nippy small forward from the Gippsland Power was called up for his AFL debut in the opening round of season 2016, in which he booted three goals against Collingwood. The youngster then earned an AFL Rising Star nomination after finishing with 20 disposals and two goals against West Coast in Round 5, while he played 20 of a possible 26 AFL games for a return of 29 majors. Papley has now played 82 senior games, he topped the Swans’ 2019 goal-kicking leaderboard and he is a member of the club’s leadership group.