The Sydney Swans have selected South Australian forward James Rose with pick 37 in the 2014 AFL Draft.
Rose, who stands at 186cm and 78kg, is a powerful medium forward who is known for his on-field courage and love for the physical side of the game.
The Sturt Football Club junior averaged 11 touches in his five games for South Australia in this year’s NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, and impressed with his strong ability to lead for the ball as well as his penetrating kick.
With strong hands and an outstanding natural leap, Rose also performed well at the 2014 AFL Draft Combine, registering 73cm in the standing vertical jump and 87cm in the running vertical jump.
Speaking to sydneyswans.com.au at Thursday night's AFL Draft on the Gold Coast, Swans Football Manager Tom Harley said the club was thrilled to welcome Rose to the Harbour City.
"We're really excited with James," he said.
"He's a South Australian boy from Scotch College and he played a bit of reserves football for Sturt this year and played in the National Under-18's for South Australia mainly as a half forward.
"We actually flew him over to Sydney on Tuesday, and James is really excited to come to Sydney, which as an interstate player is a really great start."
While Rose has played the majority of his football as a forward, Harley said the Swans recruiting team saw the young South Australian as a versatile player, who could adapt to a number of on-field roles.
"He's certainly got the physical versatility to play half forward or half back as well as on the wing or through the midfield," Harley said.
"He plays with good intensity, he's got good skills and he makes good decisions."
The Swans also officially secured the services of QBE Sydney Swans Academy trio Isaac Heeney, Jack Hiscox and Abaina Davis on Thursday night, with the club selecting the three players at pick 18, pick 38 and pick 70 respectively.
"It reflects the real value of the Academy," Harley said about the three selections.
"I think Isaac's has been pretty well-told now and I think it was great for Isaac and his family to be here on the Gold Coast in a Swans polo.
"Our supporters should be really excited about Isaac, but by the same token taking nothing away from Jack and Abe.
"Those three boys have been training with the senior list since November 17.
"Jack is setting new benchmarks with his running and he's an elite athlete and a national junior champion and Abe is a key position player, so we've picked them on merit."
