When Swans forward Ben Ronke runs out for his AFL debut on Saturday it will make for a “dream come true”.
The 20-year-old will make his senior debut in Sydney’s clash with Geelong at GMHBA Stadium as he realises “the highlight of my career”.
“It’s something I’ve worked towards for a number of years and for it to finally happen – it’s still sinking in but I’m stoked,” Ronke said.
“In the team meeting on Thursday morning I was sitting there and John Longmire walked up and a few embarrassing photos came up of me that the boys had dug up and I thought I had some idea I could be a chance.
“Then John told me I was getting my first game and I was stoked and my mum and dad were very happy for me.
“Mum and dad will be at the game on Saturday and my grandparents will both be there and hopefully I’ll get a few mates down there as well.”
Ronke will form part of a new-look Swans forward line after Lance Franklin (heel) and Dean Towers (eye) were struck down by injury during the week.
The Victorian will join forces with the likes of the smaller and speedier Tom Papley, Will Hayward and Oliver Florent as the Swans look to return to winning ways.
Ronke is confident he will slot right in.
“I like to think I bring a bit of energy and aggression in the forward line,” Ronke said.
“I base my game on pressure and tackling and if I can get on the end of a few goals it’s always good as well.”
Ronke signed with the Swans at the 2017 Rookie Draft through pick 17.
He was recruited from TAC Cup side the Calder Cannons where he took out their best and fairest in 2016.
It followed a stellar 2015 season for St Bernard’s in the Victorian Amateur Football Association in which he bagged 16 goals in 14 games to help the Snowdogs to their first Premier Division flag in 13 years.
The St Bernard’s junior grew up in Essendon in Melbourne’s north-west and saw the Bombers and Port Adelaide Power as his most likely AFL options.
Although the Swans would secure his signature, Ronke’s first season in red and white didn’t take the smoothest of roads.
He broke two ribs across two different games in the 2017 pre-season and didn’t make his NEAFL debut until Round 11.
But he collected 16 disposals and a pair of goals in his first outing in Swans colours and became a key fixture in the reserves as they powered through to a grand final clash with the Brisbane Lions.
“I’ve developed a lot through the NEAFL system,” Ronke said.
“It’s very quick footy which suits me and plays to my strengths. It’s been good for laying the foundations of my game, like pressure and tackling, and my game has definitely grown in my time in the NEAFL.”
Ronke carried his strong NEAFL form into 2018, finishing with 24 disposals and eight tackles in the Swans’ season-opener and 19 touches, 10 tackles and two goals in Round 2.
He told The Daily Telegraph when he was drafted the thought of training alongside Lance Franklin and Luke Parker was “surreal” and has enjoyed a rapid rise under the tutelage of Franklin, Parker and mentor Kieren Jack.
But he said the transition from Melbourne to Sydney had also been a success from a personal point of view.
“I’ve loved the move to Sydney,” Ronke said.
“Even though I’ve ended up here, if I had chosen to go somewhere interstate it would have been Sydney. I love the coast, love the beach, so it’s a good environment to be in at summer time.
“The boys and the club have been great and welcomed me in and made me feel right at home.
“It’ll feel pretty good to run out with the other 21 boys on Saturday and hopefully we can grind out a win.”
