A young talent, having only turned 18 just last month, Melican came to the club via Wednesday morning’s Rookie Draft and arrived at Swans training on Friday morning.
Happy to go into an extra year as a top-aged player at the Geelong Falcons next year, while commencing his studies at Deakin University, Melican’s selection by the Swans certainly altered his 2015 plans – not that he minds too much.
“I’m still trying to get it through my head that (being rookie listed) actually happened,” Melican told sydneyswans.com.au.
“It came as a massive surprise and I really wasn’t expecting anything to happen this year, but it’s happened now!
“I’m pretty excited about the move, but I am a bit nervous because I have always lived at home.
“It will be a big change for me, but I’m still really excited.”
Competing against drafted defenders Hugh Goddard and Zaine Cordy for a spot in the Falcons side this year, opportunities were hard to come by for Melican, but regional manager Michael Turner – a proven judge of a player – knew that the 193-centimetre backman had the talent to get a look in at the AFL level.
“I actually tried hard to get him to the state screening because I rate him as a fantastic prospect – he’s big and tall and he’s getting stronger every week,” Turner told the Colac Herald earlier this year.
“He played really well with us this season and played well on some really good players, AFL clubs don’t forget that sort of thing.
“I don’t think Lewie is a big risk; he’ll develop into a really good player.”
While competition was fierce in the Falcons side, Melican played all 19 games in the TAC Cup competition and averaged nine disposals a game playing on a variety of different opponents.
A feather in his cap was the job he was able to do on Dandenong Stingrays forward and elite runner, Tom Lamb, who has since been picked as a second round selection by West Coast.
“This year I either played on quick forwards or smaller forwards, so I’ve got a bit of speed,” Melican said.
“My speed sort of surprises some people and that works in my favour.”
Like all the other youngsters taken by the club over the last few weeks, Melican now gets his chance to take part in pre-season training and impress in the lead up to the beginning of the 2015 season.
“I’m just looking forward to meeting everyone and getting to know some people,” he said.
“Hopefully I’ll get my fitness right up and aim to have a big year.”
- with Tanya Paolucci
Lewis Melican (right) battles Dandenong's Tom Lamb in the TAC Cup earlier this year
