THE Sydney Swans reserves play the Queanbeyan Tigers this Saturday, starting at 3.50pm, as the curtain raiser for the seniors match against Collingwood.
It will give Swans fans a good chance to assess the form of the club’s up-and-coming players, including rookie listed player, Nathan Gordon.
Gordon, who has been one of the best players for the top-of-the-ladder reserves this season, is looking forward to the game. “It’s the first time in five weeks we’ve played at home so I think we are pretty excited about that,’’ he said.
When all the new Sydney Swans recruits arrived at the Club late last year, Gordon was one who, despite not being listed before, had a good insight into the way the Club functions.
The young midfielder had spent the past two seasons with the Swans as a Scholarship player, and was rewarded for his efforts by receiving a spot on the rookie list for 2010. And he is enjoying his footy so much he hopes that he can be at the Club again next year.
Gordon was the recipient of the Geoff Curran Scholarship early last year in his second season as a Scholarship player with the Club. He spent 2009 training full-time and playing with the Swans reserves. Having the opportunity to train at the Club was a great learning experience for Gordon, who says he was “extremely lucky” to have that opportunity.
“That one year under my belt gave me a lot of an idea of what’s going on around the Club and it’s just been really good,’’ Gordon said.
“I’m pretty happy with where I’ve come from and hopefully I can show enough to get another year because I really love this place. It’s just a really positive place to be and I just want to be here as long as I can.’’
Gordon has been one of the most consistent players for the Swans reserves so far this season, and he says that he’s happy with the way he’s been playing. Gordon hopes that a strong second half of the season can help extend his time at the Club.
“I just wanted to be one of the best players in reserves and I’ve been playing pretty consistently. I wanted to make an impact every week so I think I’ve done that so far.
“I don’t want to get too comfortable where I am now, I’ve got to attack the next half of this year and really try and get another spot on the Swans list for next year.
“My major goal is getting on the senior list and getting off the rookie list. I don’t really mind if I’m on the rookie list next year, it’s just a long term goal to get off the rookie list,” Gordon said.
Improved performances and getting to know the players better has seen the 20-year-old increase in confidence. While Gordon says he was low on confidence when he arrived at the Club, being on the rookie list has seen him gain self-assurance and belief. And his improved self-confidence on has helped his game.
“Last year…I wasn’t that confident but I think this year I’ve got lots of confidence. Stuart Maxfield, Stuart Dew and Daniel McPherson just kept saying ‘keep backing yourself’ and I’ve been doing that and it’s really showing in games,’’ Gordon said.
“I remember being back in my first year, I wasn’t talking as much, I just wasn’t myself. I think this year I’ve really found myself a bit more, being with these players and really getting to know everyone a bit better,” Gordon said.
After spending the past two and a half seasons playing in the reserves, Gordon is now one of the more experienced players in the side. Having a chance to play with some of the current Swans Scholarship players has shown Gordon how far he has come.
“Just to look where I was back then and look where I am now, I’m just really happy to see where I am at the moment from where I was.”
Gordon also hopes he can be an example to the younger players, as teammate and former Scholarship player Craig Bird was to him.
“He came through the ranks as a scholarship player, and I did the same thing. It’s not easy when you get on the scholarship list, you’re not ‘there’…it’s a lot of hard work,” Gordon said.
After living with former Swans development coach Brett Allison last year, Gordon is currently living with Jarred Moore and Dylan McNeil. He shares a special bond with both house mates, with Moore his mentor at the Club, while McNeil and Gordon are both on the rookie list.
“(Jarred and I) have got to know each other really well. We go through the tape with Stuart Dew every week and if he needs to tell me something, he tells me but we’ve got a pretty comfortable relationship.
“Dylan McNeil is another New South Wales boy and I get along great with him. We are just really loving it and helping each other through, being both on the rookie list, so it’s really good,” Gordon said.
