New recruit Shaun Edwards began his journey to Sydney even before his name was called out in Monday’s rookie draft.

The former Essendon and GWS forward was given a third lifeline at AFL level when the Swans called out his name with pick 49.

The 22-year-old was so excited by the prospect of joining the Club that he began the drive to the harbour city even before his name was announced in the rookie draft.

“I am over the moon, I got here last night after driving up from Melbourne,” Edwards said.

“I got a bit excited and had a feeling that I might have got up here so I drove up and left at 10am.

"I pulled over just past Gundagai to check online and saw that my name had popped up at pick 49 so there were a few nervous moments but now I am just stoked to be here.”

After 24 games spanning across four season the livewire forward is certain he still has plenty to offer at AFL level.

“You always think you have something left in the bank especially because I am only 22 and I have been at three clubs,” he said.

“With that comes experience and I have got to meet a few different people but I am super grateful that they saw something in me and I get another opportunity at it.

“It starts tomorrow on the training track so I just have to work hard to earn the respect of my peers and the coaching staff.”

Edwards said he had some discussions with former teammates Craig Bird during his time at Essendon about what it was that made the Swans a special place.

He also highlighted the Swans work within the indigenous space as an important factor in wanting to join the Club.

“Talking to Craig Bird throughout the year about how they go about it was great,” he said.

“I have had a few dealings with Michael O’Loughlin and Adam Goodes over the time and they are just champion blokes both on and off the field.

“I thought it would be the best thing for my footy to get up here and surround myself with good people.”

Recruiting and List Strategy Manager Kinnear Beatson is confident Edwards can have an immediate impact in his first season at the Swans.

“We saw Shaun late in the year playing for Essendon in the VFL and he was doing some good things there,” Beatson said.

“He is a good ball user and he runs really well.

“He has been doing some training with a personal trainer and has been smashing the running so he adds to our running stocks on the outside.”

Edwards and rookie Sam Fisher met with their new teammates on Tuesday morning with the remainder of the rookie listed recruits to be welcomed to the club on Wednesday.