The Sydney Swans have finalised their list for the 2017 season, recruiting five new players at today’s AFL Rookie Draft.
Just three days after brining in four exciting players at the AFL National Draft, the Swans have added rookies Ben Ronke, Robbie Fox, Shaun Edwards, Toby Pink and Sam Fisher to their crop of emerging players.
Swans Manager of Recruiting and List Strategy Kinnear Beatson says he looks forward to welcoming the new recruits to Sydney.
“Whether they are the first pick taken in the national draft, which was Oliver Florent, or the last pick in the rookie draft, Tony Pink, the match committee won’t care. Opportunities will be presented to those who put their head down, work hard, train hard, learn how to play their role and play the Swans way,” Beatson said.
“They’ve all been really excited … so it’s pleasing that they’re so keen to get here and be part of what the Swans stand for.”
Sydney used its first pick in the Rookie Draft, No. 17 overall, to recruit powerful midfielder Ben Ronke from Victoria.
Fast and agile, Ronke can run all day, break the lines and kick goals – the attributes that helped him claim the Calder Cannons’ best and fairest award this year.
Rebounding defender/midfielder Robbie Fox, who was a former under-20 state basketballer in Tasmania, joined the Swans with their second selection, pick 34.
The mature-aged recruit played with VFL side Coburg this year, where he started on the half-back line before improving his fitness and pushing into the midfield. He finished the year among his team’s best.
Former Essendon and GWS utility Shaun Edwards will join his third club after Sydney secured him with pick 49.
Originally from the Northern Territory, the fast-paced Edwards is a versatile player who can play forward and back.
With pick 54, Sydney secured forward Toby Pink who made headlines this year after kicking a miraculous 70m behind in Glenelg's under-18 grand final victory.
A mobile, tall target at 195cm, Pink has a strong overhead mark and is a good set shot for goal.
Canberra product Sam Fisher, who was pre-selected as a Category B rookie, was the fifth and final player to join the Swans for the 2017 season.
Swans welcome five new rookies
The Sydney Swans have finalised their list for the 2017 season, recruiting five new players at today’s AFL Rookie Draft.