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Swannie a Sydney boy at heart
April 4, 2004
NICK Davis was one of Collingwood's up- and-coming stars and could have played in the last two grand finals for the Pies, but he only had one thing on his mind.
Getting home to Sydney.
The exciting forward with one of the most accurate kicking boots in the AFL grew up in Cronulla and all he wanted was to play in his home town.
He was drafted to the AFL's most hated club as a youngster but, while he enjoyed a healthy profile at one of the most recognised sporting teams in the country, he was a Sydney boy at heart.
"I just wanted to come back to Sydney, where I spent my childhood," Davis said
"People told me it was going to be a backward step leaving Melbourne to play in Sydney but I never thought that way at all.
"As it turns out, we have a great team and, on our day, can beat anyone."
A great team that included, in last week's heartbreaking two-point loss to three-time premiers Brisbane, four players who learned the game in Sydney ? Davis, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Jarrad McVeigh and Paul Bevan.
The same four will get a chance against Fremantle at the SCG today.
Add to those players Aaron Rogers, an emergency last week, and Nick Potter on the club's rookie list and there are no fewer than six genuine Sydney boys on the Swans' books.
It's a far cry from years gone by, when ruckman Greg Stafford, now with Richmond, was the only Sydney player with the Swans.
"It supports the Swans' identity a lot more with so many Sydney boys now coming into the ranks at the Sydney club," Davis said.
"It's great for the Swans and great for AFL and the progress of the game in NSW. The kids playing the game now can hopefully identify with so many Sydney players in the team.
"Hopefully they can see a path in that if they have a dream and do the work, you can end up playing for the Swans."
Davis said the Swans' success in the mid-to-late 1990s has spawned a new generation of fans wanting to play AFL.
"The numbers in Auskick are a lot bigger than six or seven years ago," he said.
Swans football director Andrew Ireland was the man credited with starting the Brisbane Lions dynasty.
The former Lions CEO built the three-time premiers from the ground up and superstars Michael Voss and Jason Akermanis are both born and bred Brisbane boys.
"The fact there are now six genuine Sydney boys on our list is excellent," Ireland said.
"It is important and it's a credit to the development programs in place and the time that people like Brett Allison, the club's full-time development officer, have spent on the young talent."
Ireland said there was some luck involved in building the Lions. Players like Voss and Akermanis were genuine talents in their own backyard.
"You wouldn't expect to find two Brownlow Medallists just like that," Ireland said.
"But as far as Sydney is concerned, you never know if you keep identifying and developing the right talent, which is what has been happening.
"I know the AFL is particularly pleased with the surge in numbers in the Auskick area, but there is still a lot to do in terms of school football for example."
Roberts-Thomson went to Shore school and played rugby union, but he always loved his AFL.
"The times are changing," he said in reference to the Swans' healthy list of Sydney players.
"I love my rugby but Aussie Rules always interested me more and I'm exceptionally happy my dream has come true and I'm being able to play for the Swans.
"The number of kids playing is growing dramatically. I travel to a lot of schools and there are a heap of kids who want to follow in our footsteps."
McVeigh was the Swans' No 1 draft pick last year.
He grew up at Forresters Beach on the Central Coast alongside his brother, Essendon star Mark, and played his early football for the Killarney Vale Bombers before moving to Pennant Hills and eventually the Swans.
Last week he impressed with his debut against Brisbane.
"It was a dream come true," McVeigh said.
"Making my debut alongside guys like LRT (Roberts-Thomson) ? we played each other in junior footy ? it's great."
So great that he has no intention of ever leaving, even if it means never playing with his brother.
"The only way that will happen is if Mark comes to Sydney," McVeigh said.
"I certainly won't be moving to Melbourne."
The Sunday Telegraph
The last line is certainly good news!
Swannie a Sydney boy at heart
April 4, 2004
NICK Davis was one of Collingwood's up- and-coming stars and could have played in the last two grand finals for the Pies, but he only had one thing on his mind.
Getting home to Sydney.
The exciting forward with one of the most accurate kicking boots in the AFL grew up in Cronulla and all he wanted was to play in his home town.
He was drafted to the AFL's most hated club as a youngster but, while he enjoyed a healthy profile at one of the most recognised sporting teams in the country, he was a Sydney boy at heart.
"I just wanted to come back to Sydney, where I spent my childhood," Davis said
"People told me it was going to be a backward step leaving Melbourne to play in Sydney but I never thought that way at all.
"As it turns out, we have a great team and, on our day, can beat anyone."
A great team that included, in last week's heartbreaking two-point loss to three-time premiers Brisbane, four players who learned the game in Sydney ? Davis, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Jarrad McVeigh and Paul Bevan.
The same four will get a chance against Fremantle at the SCG today.
Add to those players Aaron Rogers, an emergency last week, and Nick Potter on the club's rookie list and there are no fewer than six genuine Sydney boys on the Swans' books.
It's a far cry from years gone by, when ruckman Greg Stafford, now with Richmond, was the only Sydney player with the Swans.
"It supports the Swans' identity a lot more with so many Sydney boys now coming into the ranks at the Sydney club," Davis said.
"It's great for the Swans and great for AFL and the progress of the game in NSW. The kids playing the game now can hopefully identify with so many Sydney players in the team.
"Hopefully they can see a path in that if they have a dream and do the work, you can end up playing for the Swans."
Davis said the Swans' success in the mid-to-late 1990s has spawned a new generation of fans wanting to play AFL.
"The numbers in Auskick are a lot bigger than six or seven years ago," he said.
Swans football director Andrew Ireland was the man credited with starting the Brisbane Lions dynasty.
The former Lions CEO built the three-time premiers from the ground up and superstars Michael Voss and Jason Akermanis are both born and bred Brisbane boys.
"The fact there are now six genuine Sydney boys on our list is excellent," Ireland said.
"It is important and it's a credit to the development programs in place and the time that people like Brett Allison, the club's full-time development officer, have spent on the young talent."
Ireland said there was some luck involved in building the Lions. Players like Voss and Akermanis were genuine talents in their own backyard.
"You wouldn't expect to find two Brownlow Medallists just like that," Ireland said.
"But as far as Sydney is concerned, you never know if you keep identifying and developing the right talent, which is what has been happening.
"I know the AFL is particularly pleased with the surge in numbers in the Auskick area, but there is still a lot to do in terms of school football for example."
Roberts-Thomson went to Shore school and played rugby union, but he always loved his AFL.
"The times are changing," he said in reference to the Swans' healthy list of Sydney players.
"I love my rugby but Aussie Rules always interested me more and I'm exceptionally happy my dream has come true and I'm being able to play for the Swans.
"The number of kids playing is growing dramatically. I travel to a lot of schools and there are a heap of kids who want to follow in our footsteps."
McVeigh was the Swans' No 1 draft pick last year.
He grew up at Forresters Beach on the Central Coast alongside his brother, Essendon star Mark, and played his early football for the Killarney Vale Bombers before moving to Pennant Hills and eventually the Swans.
Last week he impressed with his debut against Brisbane.
"It was a dream come true," McVeigh said.
"Making my debut alongside guys like LRT (Roberts-Thomson) ? we played each other in junior footy ? it's great."
So great that he has no intention of ever leaving, even if it means never playing with his brother.
"The only way that will happen is if Mark comes to Sydney," McVeigh said.
"I certainly won't be moving to Melbourne."
The Sunday Telegraph
The last line is certainly good news!
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