SYDNEY Swans draftee Dan Hannebery is already a familiar face to Paul Roos who first spied the talented 17-year-old four years ago while watching his nephew play in a grand final.

Roos was there to cheer on his family connection, but it was the energetic and hard working Hannebery who caught his eye that day.

"I remember him from that. Dan was the star for Kew against Beverly Hills," Roos said on Monday.

"You tend to follow their progress, so when Stuart (Maxfield) threw on his tape I made the comment I remembered him as a bloody good player then.

"And I spoke to my brother about him before the draft camp and Joel my nephew. In fact our IT guy played with Dan's dad, so there's a bit of a link."

Hannebery said he remembered playing in front of Roos four years ago but did not let it affect his game.

"I remember there were whispers that day that Paul Roos was there but you've just got to do what your coach tells you. You can't afford to worry about showing off, you can't afford to do that as you'll lose your focus," Hannebery said.

"But I never really spoke to him until Saturday when he called, which was pretty awesome."

Roos though made it clear that it was Hannebery’s more recent showing at the draft camp, which contributed to him being selected at No.30 on Saturday.

"He's an elite runner, a 15+ beep, so you know as a genuine midfielder he can cover the ground," said Roos.

Kinnear Beatson, the Swans' player acquisition manager, met with the youngster about a week ago to inform him the club were looking at him.

Hannebery will remain in Sydney until December but complete his high school studies in Melbourne in 2009.

"It was pretty emotional for my mum and dad when they found out," the young midfielder said.

"I'll probably play school footy down in Melbourne and maybe with Oakleigh Chargers. So hopefully we can sit down and find a happy medium."

The teenager cites Jarrad McVeigh, the Swans' reigning best and fairest winner, as a player he's looking forward to emulating.

"I like to model myself on a running midfielder like Jarrad, Craig Bird and Jude Bolton, those type of guys who work really hard and get in and under."