After riding that high – and numerous planes – all weekend, reality set in for the Swans’ new draftees on Monday morning when they started pre-season training with the club’s one-to-four year players plus a smattering of more notable stars who had returned for their first days back.
For 19-year-old Toby Nankervis, making the trip from George Town, Tasmania to an AFL-list in Sydney was the realisation of plenty of hard work after initially missing out on being selected in last year’s Draft.
Following the disappointment of 2012, Nankervis improved his game this year to win the Harrison Medal as the best player in Division Two of the AFL Under-18 Championship, gained selection in the ruck of the All-Australian side, and ultimately became a Swan with the 35th pick in the National Draft.
“I was over the moon when I found out I had been drafted and it’s just a childhood dream,” Nankervis told sydneyswans.com.au.
“I worked by backside off (after missing out last year) and just really wanted to take my game to the next level.
“I was pretty happy with myself at the end of this year, but didn’t spend too much time reflecting on it though because it doesn’t mean that you’re going to get picked up.
“I just worked really hard on my testing at the AFL Combine, and after all of that, I was really happy to hear my name on Draft night.”
The 200-centremetre ruckman briefly displayed his finely-tuned left boot and contested marking skills at his first training session on Monday morning, which he hopes can also make him a dangerous target in the forward-line.
For now though, Nankervis is focused on getting stuck into training and settling in to his new surrounds.
“I knew I’d had to move interstate either way, but I don’t feel too bad about moving because I’m 19 and am pretty independent,” he said.
“Sydney is only a short flight away from Tassie, so it’s going to be pretty easy to keep in contact with family and friends.”
Another of the Swans draftees not daunted by a move interstate is the youngest player selected in Thursday night’s Draft, 17-year-old George Hewett.
“I went to a boarding house and really enjoyed it, so I can’t wait to get Sydney and think it will be a good experience,” Hewett said.
“I’m excited but a bit nervous at the same time.
“I’m most looking forward to meeting the players and the coaches and just settling in.”
The dual-sided midfielder, who has played for Prince Alfred College and North Adelaide, did just that this morning when he met the coaching group and took part in a few handball drills with Zak Jones.
Selected with the Swans’ second pick on Thursday night - pick 32 overall - Hewett admitted to a few nerves as the selections went on.
“I watched the Draft in a room by myself, and when my name was called out I heard my mum and dad yell; well mainly my mum,” he said.
“The later the draft went on the more nervous I got.
“A few people were texting me but I just didn’t really want to look at it.
“I had no idea the Swans would pick me, but I was pretty stoked when I saw my name and face on the TV.”
- with Tanya Paolucci
