Sydney draftee James Rowbottom has signed with the Swans and moved from Melbourne to the Harbour City in the space of three days.
But the 18-year-old midfielder, recruited via pick 25 in the National Draft last Friday, says the Swans have thrown out the welcome mat to make for a seamless transition.
“The boys at the Club and all the coaching staff have made it really easy,” Rowbottom told SwansTV.
“The transition has been smooth so far and even prior to coming to Sydney, getting a few phone calls and texts makes it feel like you’re already a part of the Club.
“(Player Welfare and Development Manager) Dennis Carroll rolled around a couple of hours after the Draft when I was still on a bit of a high. But we rolled through the transition and he made it clear to my parents and myself what was going to take place over the next few days. It all happens pretty quickly so Dennis helped me prepare mentally and laid out what was going to happen.”
Rowbottom was one of seven footballers selected by the Swans at last week’s National and Rookie Drafts.
Every one of the youngsters met the rest of Sydney’s squad ahead of pre-season training at Bat and Ball Oval in Moore Park on Monday.
Although the draftees are being eased into the pre-season grind as Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker, Dane Rampe and the remainder of the seasoned Swans put in the hard yards, Rowbottom says he’s received enough of a taste to know he’ll find his feet early.
“It’s pretty awesome to be here for pre-season training with all the boys,” Rowbottom said.
“It’s pretty surreal to be able to come to such a great club. The Bloods culture is incredible and it’s great to be joining the boys.”
Rowbottom was drafted as an inside midfielder and, now he calls Kennedy and Parker teammates, doesn’t have to look far to find the perfect on-baller’s blue-print.
“That’s where I played the majority of my season this year and my strengths are my stoppage and clearance work,” Rowbottom said.
“My power out of there is probably what put me in the position to be here today.”
