While injuries to senior players were a significant downfall for the Swans in 2013, the rise of a number of new and young players signalled the future was bright for the club.

For the first time since 2008, the Swans blooded six debutants in 2013, beginning with Dane Rampe in round one followed by Jed Lamb in round six, Tom Mitchell in round 10, Brandon Jack in round 11, Xavier Richards in round 14 and Shane Biggs in round 23.

Of this year’s group of debutants, Dane Rampe’s season was among the most remarkable, with the young Sydneysider playing 23 games, including all three finals, in his first year at the Swans.

After being recruited to the club as a rookie, Rampe made the most of the opportunities put in front of him and was able to fill the role left by premiership defender, Alex Johnson, who missed the season after tearing his ACL during the pre-season.

Rampe’s brilliant debut season was rewarded at the 2013 Club Champion Dinner, when he was awarded the Rising Star Award, which was coincidently the same award Johnson won the year before for his role in Swans’ defence.

Young midfielder Tom Mitchell also made his mark in 2013 and debuted in the round 10 clash with Essendon at the SCG.

The son of former Sydney star Barry Mitchell, it took Tom just two matches to earn an AFL Rising Star nomination for his 31 touches and one goal against Adelaide in round 11, which was one of the many highlights of his 14 games in 2013.

The round 11 win over the Crows also marked the debut of Brandon Jack, the young brother of co-captain, Kieren. The 19-year-old went on to play nine games in his debut year, including an impressive four-goal performance against Melbourne at the MCG.

Jack was on field in round 14, when Xavier Richards, the younger brother of defender Ted, played his first game for the club. It was the first time in 32 years that two sets of Swans brothers played a senior match together, following on from Paul Morwood and Tony Morwood and Michael Wright and Stephen Wright, who played alongside each other in 1980.

Rookie defender Shane Biggs was the final Swans debutant for 2013, and made his debut in the last round of the season against Hawthorn at ANZ Stadium. In his first match, Biggs collected 18 touches, before having his best game of the year two weeks later in the Swans’ semi final against Carlton, where the 22-year-old had 21 disposals and laid two tackles.

What they said

“I just wanted to get on a list and get a senior spot, so to be able to play 23 games is just an absolute dream come true,” Dane Rampe reflects on his first season (04/10/13)

"Tommy is certainly a talented player, but most importantly he is hard at the football and a really strong competitor," John Longmire about Tom Mitchell’s Rising Star nomination (11/7/13)

"He was a very skinny raw kid. Athletically he was sound but he improved over three months. His fitness, his ability and his skills just came a long way really quickly. I just had a big smile when I ran out alongside him," Kieren Jack on Brandon’s debut (11/07/13)

“I think Ted was just really proud and extra proud that we won and that he got to play with his brother and there was just some real joy after the game,” Xavier Richards following his debut match (03/07/13)

“I think running out will be a real eye-opener and just experiencing that and then hopefully once the game starts the nerves will drop down and I can just play and do my bit,” Shane Biggs ahead of his debut (29/08/13)

Coverage

Rookie Rampe-d up for debut

Mitchell steps up in debut

Mitchell's Rising Star nomination

A pair of Jacks

Xavier's late call up

Biggs to debut

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Post by Sydney Swans.
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