Tom Swift - 2008 AFL Draft Profile

Know how every year, there’s a few highly promising young players with a huge question mark over their heads because of injury. Tom Swift fits this bill. In the U/16, there was no more promising midfielder in the country, but his career was interrupted by an ACL knee injury. Unlimited potential, yet unlimited risk. A big dilemma for any recruiter in this year’s draft.

Height: 191cm
Weight: 85kg
Position: Midfielder
Club: Claremont

Who we think he may turn out like: Chris Judd (!)
Who we hope he doesn’t turn out like: Leigh Walker

 
Imagine this. This year, clubs have the chance to draft someone who led division one in handballs, marks, short kicks, contested possessions, uncontested possessions, handball receives, clearances and frees for in their U/16 Championships. 40 possessions in his first game, 45 in his last. In U/16, he was rated just as highly as Daniel Rich - projected to go at pick 3.

Yet this player is not even guaranteed to go first round. Why? Three letters: ACL.

Tom Swift was an absolute freak for the WA U/16 side, as the statistics above suggest. Unfortunately, he did his anterior cruciate ligament in his first game for the AIS/AFL Academy side, and missed the next 12 months. In this past season, he then injured his other knee, fortunately less seriously, but still missed out on playing in the U/18 Championships.

Swift’s upside is obviously incredible. Blessed with great height for a midfielder, Swift is the prototypical midfielder of the modern game. He can win his own ball with the best of them, and has outstanding endurance that enables him to get to a ton of contests. Don’t let his knee injury fool you - he showed at the draft camp he has done all he can to get his body right, highlighted by a number of impressive tests:

• Equal 3rd in the Standing Vertical Jump (72cm)
• 5th in the 20m Sprint (2.89 seconds)
• 9th in the Beep Test (Level 14.1)

I’m sure you’ll agree these are hardly the numbers of someone still struggling with a dicky knee.

The downsides? Again, his knee. Very few players go in the first round with such a big cloud hanging over them, and in such a deep draft, Swift is probably a late first round pick at best. Also, because of injury he hasn’t played a whole lot in the past 2 seasons, and U/16 success doesn’t quite equal sure thing AFL footballer.

All that combined, it looks like Geelong or Hawthorn could be the ones to pick up Swift, which could mean very bad news for the other 14 teams looking to catch up if he does live up to his potential and put his injury worries behind him - he really has the potential to be a star.

Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below - is Tom Swift worth the risk? Would you like your club to shell out a first rounder, or would you prefer to try and snag him later on. Or is he simply the next star addition to the Hawks/Cats juggernauts?!?