Brady Rowles struggled to believe the Sydney Swans had drafted him last week, but pulling on a training shirt alongside stars of the game is making the reality a lot clearer.

Sydney secured the former Bendigo Pioneers speedster with pick four at last Friday’s Rookie Draft, and seven days later, his first week at the club’s SCG headquarters is behind him.

Every one of the club’s new draftees – Rowles, Dylan Stephens, Will Gould, Elijah Taylor and Chad Warner – tackled their first training session with their new teammates at Lakeside Oval on Monday.

And while Rowles said it felt make-believe when his name appeared on his computer screen, hitting the training deck with decorated names like Lance Franklin and Josh Kennedy is starting to make everything feel real.

“I couldn’t believe it when my name came up. It didn’t really feel real, to be honest. It’s only starting to feel real now that I’m training with the senior players – Buddy Franklin and Josh Kennedy and those sorts of players,” Rowles told SwansTV.

“If you had said last week that I’d be picked up the Swans I wouldn’t have believed it. I’m grateful for the opportunity. A lot of hard work has been done and I couldn’t have landed at a better club.

“I was up in Queensland on the Gold Coast with my dad when the Rookie Draft was on. It was Friday morning and dad was actually at work, so I was at home by myself. Then when I found out I tried ringing dad but he already knew.

“It’s been a crazy ride, I’m loving every minute and I’m just loving ripping in hard.”

Rowles gathered an average of 12.8 disposals per game for Bendigo in the 2019 NAB League tournament, while he averaged 13 touches per match for Vic Country in this year’s AFL Under-18 Championships.

The young Swan has a knack for running the footy out of defence and linking with high half-forwards when playing on a wing.

He says running and his versatility are his strengths.

“I’m quick. I’ve got a little bit of speed,” Rowles said. 

“I can play at half-back or on a wing. I’m a bit of a utility and just play where I can use my speed."