The Sydney Swans have taken Tom Hanily from the Gippsland Power with pick 14 in tonight’s Mid-Season Rookie Draft.

18-year-old Hanily is a 179cm midfield/forward who has averaged 25 disposals from his four games with Gippsland in 2024.

The Xavier College graduate was unlucky to be overlooked in last year’s National Draft but has shrugged off that disappointment to star for Gippsland and the ‘Young Guns’ so far this season.

From Inverloch, located 150km south-east of Melbourne, Hanily currently works part-time on his uncle’s dairy farm, but has always wanted to play football at the highest level.

Sydney Swans Head of List Strategy and Player Personnel, Chris Keane, said he was pleased to have drafted a player of Hanily’s quality.

“Tom was in the mix to get drafted last year, and he is one we have continued to watch throughout the start of 2024,” Keane said.

“We see him as a hard-working half forward who can use his endurance to get up and down the ground, but we really like the way he sees the game. His footy IQ allows him to stay involved offensively and defensively.

“We welcome Tom to the Swans and look forward to what he can achieve when he arrives in Sydney”.