The Swans can give thanks to former player Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt for talking up the Club and convincing his younger brother, Andrejs, to come to Sydney.

Andrejs was in Sydney today to check out the city and look for a new house, ahead of the start of his pre-season training on November 8.

Everitt, who came from the Western Bulldogs in exchange for Patrick Veszpremi, revealed he had turned to Spida for advice when he knew the Swans were interested in a trade.

“Once I heard they were interested in me, obviously my brother played here and he was pretty excited about the prospect of me playing here. He ended up convincing me to choose Sydney,’’ Everitt told www.sydneyswans.com.au.

“He pumped it up as much as he could. He said it’s a good place to live, and good to get away from all the Melbourne football side of it. He said you can come up here and be yourself. You play football but then in off time you go and relax and enjoy yourself.’’

Everitt, 21, had been at the Bulldogs since 2006 but could seldom force his way into their best 22 this season.

“I was definitely looking for more opportunities,’’ he said.

“I felt I wasn’t getting my share of games so me and my manager Ricky (Nixon) sat down at the end of the season. He said if you want to move, say so, and I made a decision that it was in my best interests to have a fresh start and get going again.’’

During trade week a couple of AFL clubs were interested in Everitt, who is a rangy 194cms player who has spent most of his time in defence.

Swans coach John Longmire was keen because of Everitt’s flexibility and the fact he could play a number of roles, including running off the half-back line.

That appealed to Everitt. And he was also swayed by the fact that players who had come to the Swans previously through trades - such as Rhyce Shaw, Shane Mumford and Josh Kennedy - had slotted in and played the best football of their careers.

“It really convinced me, especially when I saw Mumford and Kennedy came second and third in the best and fairest this year. The coaches know what they are looking for here. They know what they’re doing and know what they need, and hopefully I can fit into the team,’’ Everitt said.

“They told me I would play a big part in the backline as they need more players around my age.’’

He knows a few players at the Swans, having played junior representative football in Victoria with Daniel Currie and Brett Meredith, which should help him to settle in.

Everitt is looking forward to getting to know the rest of his team-mates when they return for pre-season training in November. And he’s looking forward to getting the chance to make the most of his football talent.

“I think my running ability is one of my strengths. I’m not the fittest but I can use my running as a strength, and also my decision-making, and the ability to play on all different sizes of opponents, they are the main things.’’

He believes the Swans game style will suit him. “Definitely with the younger players like Lewis Jetta and Dennis-Lane, they are nice and quick. Quicker football is easier for me to play.

“I’m not excited about packing up my house, but I’m excited to get training started and get to meet all the boys.’’