Who have the Sydney Swans selected at the AFL Draft in the past with this year’s picks?

That’s the question that beckons as Sydney’s recruitment team zeros in on this year’s edition, set to be held at Marvel Stadium next month.

Pick five: Jason Spinks (1992), Adam Heuskes (1993), Jarrad McVeigh (2002)

Jarrad McVeigh is unquestionably the best player ever drafted to Sydney with pick five. When the 2002 draftee ran out at the SCG in Round 23 this year for his 325th and final AFL match, he joined Jude Bolton as the second-most-capped Swans in history. He also co-captained Sydney to the 2012 premiership, collected two Club Champion awards (2008, 2013) and was selected in the 2013 All Australian team, while he made a club-high 28 finals appearances, is a Swans Life Member and was named in the greatest NSW team of all time. The club’s most recent pick five began his AFL career as a tagger under former coach Paul Roos, became one of the leading two-way midfielders in the league and was a star halfback in the twilight years of his career.

Pick 25: James Rowbottom (2018)

Sydney fans have every reason to be excited about the club’s 2019 second-round selection after James Rowbottom’s first season at the top level. The club’s first pick 25 in history played 12 AFL games in season 2018, including every one of the Swans’ last nine matches. The Oakleigh Chargers product tackled plenty of midfield minutes alongside experienced campaigners Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker, with his 24 touches (11 contested) against Essendon in Round 16 a stand-out on the stats sheet. Rowbottom also led the NEAFL MVP award voting when it was concealed from the public after Round 12, and he while he didn’t claim the top individual honour, he picked up the NEAFL Goal of the Year prize with a 75-metre bomb.

Sydney Swans midfielder James Rowbottom, secured with pick 25 at the 2018 AFL Draft.

Pick 32: George Hewett (2013)

George Hewett has built himself into one of the most reliable players on Sydney’s list since signing via pick 32 at the 2013 AFL Draft. The South Australian has played a minimum of 22 senior matches every season since debuting in Round 1, 2016, beginning as a forward and developing into a versatile midfielder. The 22-year-old can win plenty of the footy and also shut down the league’s premier on-ballers. Hewett produced a career-best season in 2019, gathering an average of 21.9 possessions (10.9 contested) and 4.5 tackles per match. His impressive season culminated in a runner-up finish in the Club Champion voting, earning him the inaugural Adam Goodes Trophy.

Pick 44: Harrison Marsh (2012), Aliir Aliir (2013), Justin McInerney (2018)

Of the three players the Swans have recruited via pick 44 exciting defender Aliir Aliir is the most successful to date. Speedster Justin McInerney showed promising signs in his first season in red and white this year, although Aliir is now an established member of coach John Longmire’s best 22. Not only does the 25-year-old’s big frame and elite intercept marking make him a dangerous defender, his cat-like athleticism makes him a genuine threat when pinch-hitting in the ruck. Aliir celebrated his 50th AFL appearance in Round 23 this year.

The Swans will also take selections 76 and 81 into November’s AFL Draft, but the club has never recruited a player with those picks.