AT 172cm, new Sydney Swans draftee Byron Sumner is proof that good things come in small packages.

The young South Australian was one of the smallest players invited to this year’s NAB AFL Draft Camp but his efforts throughout the season had already belied his slight stature.

Sumner began 2009 with Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL’s under-18 competition and his early season performances earned him a place in the state team for the national carnival.

As a speedy winger, he also impressed with his defensive efforts at the NAB AFL National Under-18 Championships.

A hard-nosed performance in South Australia’s final-round win against Vic Metro at Etihad Stadium was a particular highlight.

Sumner said playing at the highest under-age level had spurred him to achieve greater heights upon his return to the SANFL.

“I reckon it pushed me a bit more, getting used to having to fly around the country and play footy. That’s the AFL lifestyle, so it was good to get a taste of it,” he said.

“I didn’t really take much notice of the players on the other teams when I was out there. I was there to play footy and that was my only aim.”

He made his senior SANFL debut for Woodville-West Torrens not long after the national titles and impressed with his attack on the footy.

The draft camp followed at the end of the season and along with it came interest from a number of AFL clubs, including West Coast, Collingwood, North Melbourne, Fremantle and the Swans.

But it was the Swans who swooped first on the left-footer at pick No.54 in the NAB AFL Draft on November 26.

Sumner, who joined fellow draftees Gary Rohan, Lewis Jetta, Sam Reid and Trent Dennis-Lane at Swans training this week, said his family was delighted when his name was called out.

“There were some happy tears and screaming at first and then there was a lot of jumping around and excitement,” he said.

Like his fellow new recruits, Sumner will spend the next four weeks at the club before heading home for a well-earned break over Christmas.

He admitted to some nerves at his first session, but they were mixed with a healthy dose of anticipation at the challenges that lie ahead.

“I was used to seeing the other players on the news back home and now to be actually out here with them, it’s exciting. I’m loving every second of it,” he said.

“I just want to train hard and do as well as I can to get a game early next season.”

Did you miss it? Hear from Sam Reid, another player the Swans picked up in the recent draft.