It’s true that behind every successful AFL player is a good junior club.

The Swans took the time to reflect on where they came from in today’s junior guernsey training session at the SCG.

From Victorian club the Langwarrin Kangaroos to Sydney’s Pennant Hills Demons, the Swans’ players donned their colours in recognition of the start their junior club gave them many years ago.

Click on the video player above to watch Swans players talk about their junior jumpers with Jarred Moore
Speaking to sydneyswans.com.au this week, Swans’ forward Ben McGlynn said his junior club, the Wentworth Roos, played an important role in his development as a footballer.

“I’m from a little town called Dareton, but my footy club was called the Wentworth Roos,” he said.

“Playing in the seniors at a younger age was something that is pretty common back home in the Sunraysia Football League.

“Growing up as a junior watching the seniors to growing up and developing into a player who can go out there and play with the senior guys was a real highlight.

“A lot of the young juniors who are good players get the chance to play senior footy, and that was something that I really enjoyed and probably helped my development.”

McGlynn fondly remembers being a part of the Wentworth football community, including the overwhelming support he still receives from those still involved.

“Everyone back in Sunraysia loves getting down to the footy and supporting their local team,” he said.

“There were always people on the sidelines in their cars, and that’s something that always happens in country footy and it’s a good feeling.

“The support that I’ve had from my juniors right through to now playing at my second AFL club is amazing.

“People from home still come down and support me and keep up with how I’m going.”

In metropolitan Melbourne, Swans’ defender Alex Johnson began his junior football career at the Hawthorn Citizens Football Club.

Against his mother’s best wishes, Johnson played his first game of football at eight years of age.

“I grew up with a brother who was two years older than me, and mum didn’t really want me to play football because I was pretty small when I was younger,” he said.

“I wanted to play under-9s and she said no, so I used to go to train with my older brother and ended up training a couple of times with him and then playing a couple of games with him which I don’t think mum was too happy about.

“I played about six games with them that first season and then joined my own team the next season and played on from there.

“I just loved it. It was close, it was the local team and I had a lot of good mates there who I still keep in contact with today.”

Click here for an image gallery from this morning's Swans training session

It was at the Citizens that Johnson won his first premiership and developed a passion for the game that he still loves today.

“It was also where I had my first taste of success. I won a premiership in the under-10s and that was awesome and something I haven’t forgotten,” he said.

“I think it’s really important and something I’ll always hold onto and it’s important to remember where you’ve come from.

“If you don’t know where you’ve come from then you’ve got no idea where you’re going, so my junior footy and my junior club is something I’ll always hold pretty dear to me.”

Another thing that Johnson still hold dear is his under-10 premiership jumper, which he squeezed into for today’s training session.

“I’ve struggled to fit into it because it’s my under-10 jumper, and it’s pretty short, but it’s the first jumper I won a premiership in so it’s pretty special!”