In taking on an increased development role at the Sydney Swans, Jared Crouch wants to contribute to, and continue, the pathway which saw five players make their AFL debuts in 2011.

As well as stepping up to the full-time role, Crouch will also take over from Henry Playfair as the coach of the Swans reserves team.

Crouch knows that mastering his new responsibilities will be no easy task, but says he is confident he has the right resources, personnel and players at his disposal to help the next batch of Swans youngsters put their hand up for senior selection.

“We think back to last season with the Swans and the number of players who debuted and the number of players Henry was able to get back from injury through the reserves, and I’m looking forward to that challenge,” Crouch told SwansTV.

“We’ve got a new group of younger players come in, as well as guys like Jed Lamb who is in his second year now but hasn’t quite had a taste of senior football yet.

“To continue to try and develop those players, and to try and see if I can do as good a job as Henry did in getting a few players playing their first senior game, is what I want to be judged on,” he said.

Stuart Maxfield and George Stone will work alongside Crouch, overseeing the development of the Swans young players in 2012. The premiership player, who played 223 games for the Swans, said he was excited to work with the pair, especially Stone who recently made the move from Melbourne to Sydney to take up his position.

“(George) certainly played a role in my career when he was a coach,” Crouch said.

“We all think about how he worked to turn Tadhg Kennelly into one of the elite AFL players and that success he has in developing players.

“So to work with him in developing the young group of players that we do have, as well as Stuey Maxfield - the old stager who has been working with our development group - we hopefully follow in Henry’s footsteps in getting a few younger players their first AFL game.”

Listening to Crouch speak, there is no denying the passion he has for his new role. He feels that if the players under his watch can bring the same drive, then there is no reason why they can’t be successful.

“As much as we have great resources here at the club and the coaches are prepared to spend hours and hours helping you develop, unless you have that burning desire within yourself (as a player), then we can’t do anything,” Crouch said.

“When you think of some of the younger players we’ve had come through in recent years, the Dan Hanneberys and the Sam Reids, they have that desire. And that comes from the Jude Boltons and the Adam Goodes’ who have been at this club a long, long time.

“If you’re not driven, then you’re not going to be successful.”

Crouch’s first competitive game in charge of the Swans reserves will be against UWS Giants - the GWS reserves side - at ANZ Stadium in the curtain-raiser to the 2012 AFL season’s opening match between the Sydney Swans and GWS.