McVeigh led by example in 2013, and excelled in every role he played throughout the year, including his switch to the half-back line to cover injury losses early in the season.
The Swans co-captain enjoyed a number of standout games in 2013, none better than his 42-disposal, two-goal effort in the semi final win over Carlton at ANZ Stadium.
Speaking to sydneyswans.com.au about his many roles this season, McVeigh said he felt he was now a more versatile player.
How did you sum up your season in 2013?
I was pretty happy with it. Personally I thought my form was really consistent throughout the year and I changed through a few different positions, which was good to learn some different roles.
Obviously the way the team finished up in the end would mean that we’d probably call the season a failure because we really wanted to get to that last day and try to replicate what we did the year before, but it wasn’t to be and we weren’t good enough, so we’ll have to have another go next year.
What were some of the positives from the season?
I think the young kids who came into the group were a positive. We had a lot of injuries this year to key players, but those young players really stood up and have become really good players for the footy club.
I think our depth next year is going to be really good, and with a few guys retiring and a few guys leaving we’re going to have that depth there, which is really good.
Dane Rampe has come through really well and Brandon Jack played some good footy this year, so signs are good for the future.
Who would you say was the biggest improver this year?
Someone like Jesse White who had a really good backend of the year, as well as probably Rampe and Pykey probably improved, as well as Parker, so there are a number of guys who took their games to another level. We expect that again next year and we hope that they can really be consistent AFL players.
How did you feel to be named All-Australian for the first time this year?
I was rapt and very humbled to be named in that team. It’s something that I’ll look back on at the end of my career and will be proud of and that week was probably more about the prelim final and getting ready for that, but I am very proud of that, but without your team mates you wouldn’t be able to get those awards.
You played a number of positions this year; did you enjoy playing different roles?
It was good. I knew it had to be done with Shawy and AJ going down and just to play a different role there was good. I was enjoying playing in the midfield early on in the year and then I got back into the midfield late, but you have to adapt every year and in every game and I think I did that quite well.
What improvements do you hope to see in 2014?
I think the way we move the ball has to improve. We got caught doing the same things a lot of the time and in the second half against Fremantle we did do the things we needed to do and we did play some good footy. We have to do that stuff consistently and just those young players coming through have to step up again and the middle-tier of guys we want them to keep improving to be competitive.
You’ve got a well-earned break coming up. What are your plans for the off season?
I can’t wait. I’m actually going to Bali and then I’ll be heading to New Zealand and then to Hawaii, so a few trips booked and I can’t wait to get away.
