Jude Bolton is coming back for the 2013 season.
It’s been over a month since the Sydney Swans won the 2012 Grand Final and after a couple of weeks celebrating and weighing up his future, Bolton believes he’s got the passion and drive to go around again in 2013.
Testament to this, the 32-year-old is already back at the club preparing for next year even though he’s not officially due to return for pre-season training until December 7.
“I just love the competitiveness; I love footy, it’s the sport I grew up with and I’ve always had this passion to play,” Bolton told SwansTV on his decision to play on again in 2013.
“You hear people say ‘you’re a long time retired’ and I still think I can really compete at this level."
A major factor in his decision to play on again was the development Bolton sees in his younger, up-and-coming teammates who he feels will give the side plenty of confidence and spark heading into 2013.
“I’m excited about the list and it’s certainly going to be better again next year and that’s what excites me the most," he said.
“The younger guys really developed throughout the season and they’re going to be twice as good next year.
“It’s really exciting with guys like Alex Johnson, who has only played around 45 games, so that experience and now having played in a premiership is huge.”
After playing in the Grand Final win with partially torn posterior and anterior cruciate ligaments in his left knee - an injury he sustained in the Round 19 win against Carlton - a few weeks away from football has allowed his knee to recover.
A trip to Hamilton Island for Tadhg Kennelly’s wedding and some family time with his wife Lynette and baby daughter Siarra during the off-season has Bolton feeling fresh and energised.
“I wanted to let my knee settle down a little bit post-Grand Final and certainly it feels really good now,” he said.
“You get that itch to start training again and certainly that happens after a couple of weeks off.
“Some of the guys have been overseas and they’re starting to roll back in now so I’m really looking forward to getting out there training and I’m excited for the 2013 season.”
After 14 pre-seasons with the Swans, Bolton says he’ll have no trouble getting motivated for another pre-season and knows what it will take to get his body right to add to his 301-game tally.
“I’m really looking forward to 2013, I’m excited to start training with the boys ... it’s going to be good to get out there,” he said.
“This will be one of the shortest pre-seasons for us, starting on December 7, it’s pretty quick before Christmas and then after Christmas you’re straight into games.
“It’s not that hard at all to get motivated; I know how to get my body fit, it doesn’t take that long, certainly the maintenance that we do during the off-season helps.
“From there you just look forward to catching up with the boys and hearing all of their stories and their shenanigans from overseas trips and that’s always the great thing, being around all the players.”
Jude Bolton is in for 2013, are you? Sydney Swans 2013 Memberships are now available.
