Sydney Swans recruit Jackson Thurlow didn’t have to sweat it out through a gruelling opening session of pre-season training on Monday, but the former Cat has set his sights on making his mark from the get-go.
While Thurlow is on the verge of his seventh season as an AFL footballer, the 24-year-old put himself through his paces with Sydney’s first- to fifth-year players at Bat and Ball Oval.
The warm spring day saw him take to the track alongside the likes of Isaac Heeney, Callum Mills and Tom Papley, with Josh Kennedy, Lance Franklin and the rest of Sydney’s more experienced brigade set to return on November 26.
Thurlow says he’s looking to find his feet early at the Swans.
“This is my seventh season now but getting stuck in early is a really good opportunity,” Thurlow said.
“It’s probably a lot easier to meet and get to know people when it’s a smaller group. Hopefully I get to know a few of the boys by the end of the week and then when the older boys come back I can make a few relationships that way. It’s a good way to come into a new club.
“You want to get stuck in as soon as you can to earn the respect of the Club.”
Thurlow played 46 senior games in six seasons at Geelong and signed with Sydney at last month’s AFL trade period.
The former first-round draft pick was traded to the Swans alongside ex-Kangaroo Ryan Clarke.
While Thurlow is set on making his face known in the early days of his time at the Swans, he says he also wants to come to grips with Sydney’s brand of football as quickly as possible.
“It’s a whole new environment for me and a whole new game plan,” Thurlow said.
“So coming back early is a good way for me to learn that process and try to get on top of it as quickly as possible.”
Thurlow is eyeing a position at half-back or on a wing and says he cannot wait to learn from Sydney’s best.
“There are some amazing footballers at this footy club I’m hoping to learn off,” Thurlow said.
“There are some guns at this club so I’m really excited.”