Speedy youngster Harry Cunningham has been promoted to the Sydney Swans senior list following his impressive pre-season form.

The 18-year old from Turvey Park in Wagga Wagga, who was selected with pick 93 in last year’s rookie draft, has exceeded expectations in the NAB Cup, playing in all of the Swans pre-season matches and scoring six goals.

Swans coach John Longmire said the club has been impressed by Cunningham from the moment he arrived at the Swans.

“He has really taken every opportunity from the moment he arrived here, and he was training with the club before he was picked up on the rookie list,” he said.

“He has been really positive and is really coachable ever since he arrived and we thought he had the attributes we were looking for to see him get promoted.”

Cunningham was one of the standout performers for the NSW/ACT Rams in the AFL Under-18 Championships, and has also benefitted from the guidance of former Swans captain and Bloods Legend Paul Kelly in the Riverina.

Longmire said Cunningham’s explosive speed on the field as well as his goal-scoring ability impressed the coaching panel over the pre-season.

“He’s got a really good attribute in his speed and he’s fit in really well with some of the other young players at the club,” he said.

“That front and square goal he kicked against Essendon in the pre-season and the other goal he gave off to Jude Bolton, that game against St Kilda, in general was just impressive.”

Longmire said Cunningham should be proud of the transition he has made into senior football this year.

“Etihad Stadium is a long way from Turvey Park, so it really has been a credit to him to step up,” he said.

“He’s just a really good kid who works hard and for him to come in and pick it all up is a credit to him.”

The opportunity for Cunningham to be promoted to the senior list came when Alex Brown was placed on the long-term injury list just under two weeks ago.