The 2016 AFL National Draft will mark the retirement of two stalwarts of the Sydney Swans Recruiting Department.

Ric Barham and Andrew Scholefield have each devoted more than 20 years to seeking out young football talent.

The likes of Tony Lockett, Brett Kirk, Adam Goodes, Paul Roos, Michael O’Loughlin, Dan Hannebery, Luke Parker and Isaac Heeney are just a handful of the players Barham, Scholefield and the Swans recruitment team have helped bring to the Club.

Barham commenced with the Swans early in 1996 and held the position of Recruiting Manager, playing a key role in delivering the talent that brought home the 2005 AFL premiership. Since 2006 has has worked with the Swans as a consultant and this season has overseen the ‘futures market’, assessing 16 and 17-year-old players to assist Sydney with the potential trading of draft selections in the future.

Scholefield commenced with the Swans at the beginning of 1994 and has held the position of South Australian Recruiting Manager for much of his tenure. He has also been heavily involved with the assessment of players from Western Australia and Victoria.

In recent years both men were awarded Sydney Swans Life Membership, an honour that recognises their tireless work and dedication to the Club.

Sydney Swans Manager of Recruiting and List Strategy Kinnear Beatson said both men have had an immense impact on the Swans.

“Both Ric and Andrew are extremely talented in the field of talent identification and are highly respected not only by all at the Swans but by their peers in the AFL community,” Beatson said.

“It would be impossible to calculate the kilometres they have travelled and the hours they have spent – often in remote locations – while searching for the next champion to wear the red and white.

“Their service to the Swans was rightly awarded with Life Membership, an honour I know both cherish deeply.”

Sydney Swans CEO and Managing Director Andrew Ireland thanked both recruiters for their contribution to the Club.

“The Club is indebted to both Ric and Andrew for the tireless work and dedication they have devoted to the Swans in the area of player recruitment,” Ireland said.

“Their part in our 2005 and 2012 premierships cannot be understated. Finding the right players is crucial to premiership success and Ric did a superb job heading up our recruiting team in the lead-up to 2005.

“We wish them all the best for the future and I’d like to take this opportunity, on behalf of everyone connected to the Swans, to sincerely thank them for their contribution over many years.”