Will Gould was a boy among men as Glenelg powered to the 2019 senior SANFL premiership, always lining up as one of the youngest on the ground and facing opponents more than a decade older.

But the first-year Sydney Swans draftee is now revelling in the challenge of battling some of the best players in the AFL, including a man with 195 senior games, a premiership medal, two Club Champion medals and All Australian selection on his resume.

That man is Sydney co-captain Luke Parker – and while the 27-year-old has churned through countless hours in the midfield in pre-season match-simulation games, he’s often met Gould when catching his breath in the forward line.

“When Parks comes down to the forward line for a rest I sometimes pick him up. I wouldn’t like to play on him in the midfield – that’s for sure – but it’s great being at an AFL club because you get to train with and play on the best,” Gould said.

“That’ll no doubt fast-track my development and it’s just a great experience to be out training with some great players.

“I’ve been playing a similar role to what I played in junior footy where I’m playing off half-back, picking up talls and smalls and fitting into gaps where we need it. I’ve been playing on whoever pops up and defending.”

The Swans secured Gould with their second-round selection, and pick 26 overall, at last November’s AFL Draft.

While the South Australian defender stands at 191 centimetres and weighs 98 kilograms, he has genuine speed and loves running the footy out of defence.

He played 15 SANFL games last year and played a pivotal role in helping Glenelg win its first senior premiership since 1986.

Gould believes his time in the senior SANFL competition laid a strong foundation for his journey as a Swan.

“Playing in the SANFL last year has held me in good stead, and I’ve also got a big frame which definitely helps,” Gould said.

“I feel that playing with the senior boys at Glenelg and learning the game plan there under Mark Stone has really helped from a learning point of view.

“From a physical point of view, I’m just finding that playing at an AFL club is a bit quicker. I’ve found that I’ve got to be quick on my feet so I don’t get cleaned up and tackled all the time, so the speed and the intensity are definitely the biggest step-ups.”

The Swans selected Dylan Stephens (pick five), Gould (pick 26), Elijah Taylor (36) and Chad Warner (39) at last year’s AFL Draft, before locking in Brady Rowles as a rookie and relisting Jack Maibaum.

They also signed Irishman Barry O’Connor as an International Category B Rookie.