First-year Sydney Swans speedster Zac Foot will never forget the loud, proud and bitterly cold rendition of Saturday’s Gatorade-drenched victory song.
So much so the 18-year-old Dandenong Stingrays product longs to repeat the mania in the high lights of the AFL.
Sydney chiselled out a 29-point season-opening victory over GWS at Giants Stadium, with the 15.19 (109) to 12.8 (80) win paving the way for Foot and his teammates to enjoy the early-season club-song hysteria.
First-year Swans James Rowbottom, Justin McInerney, Harry Reynolds, Hayden McLean and Ryan Clarke joined Foot in the middle of the post-game huddle – and Foot says he dreams of one day revisiting that moment in the AFL.
“Every first-year player wants to make their AFL debut so that’s in the front of my mind,” Foot told SwansTV.
“I want to do everything I can in the NEAFL and try to get an AFL game.
“But while I’m in the NEAFL I’m really wanting to enjoy my footy, have fun with the boys and get as many wins as we can here.
“During the game there was a big focus on our energy. From the very first goal of the game everyone got around whoever kicked it – and going into the Gatorade shower was a bit like that. The song was pretty loud and there was a lot of Gatorade thrown around, so it was pretty cold in there and it was just surreal.”
Foot starred in the Swans’ win over the Giants, tallying 21 disposals and two goals as he bolstered the side at half-forward and on a wing.
Foot and fellow first-year Swan Harry Reynolds combined for Foot’s first of two goals, and the youngster said both six-pointers made for moments to cherish.
“The first goal I kicked was off a set shot. It was a good delivery from Harry Reynolds to put it down my throat and the energy was really high and all the boys got around me,” Foot said.
“I then kicked one later in the game where Joel Amartey made a really good effort and allowed me to run in to an open goal – and once again, the energy was high and everyone was up and about.”
Foot is among a host of young free-running midfielders emerging in red and white.
Second-year bullets Ryley Stoddart, Matt Ling and James Bell, and first-year draftee Justin McInerney, all have speed to burn, while older teammates Tom Papley, Harry Cunningham, Zak Jones and Oliver Florent are now injecting searing pace into the Swans’ senior outfit.
Foot says his speed is among a number of strengths on which he prides his game.
“I’ve been playing as a half-forward and playing on a wing as well,” Foot said.
“My strengths are my run and carry and my awareness around goal, and I reckon I bring a lot of energy to the club too. So those are the biggest things I focus on heading into a game.”
