SUNS captain David Swallow had another incredibly consistent campaign in 2021, capped off by a third-place finish in the Club Champion on Sunday night.

Being the modest leader he is, Swallow was quick to brush aside his individual honour on the night and instead called attention to the efforts of Club Champion Touk Miller and Runner Up Wil Powell.

“It’s obviously a great honour to be alongside Touky who’s had a fantastic year and Powelly who it’s been really nice to see his development as well,” Swallow told SUNS Media.

“It’s very humbling and you never take those awards for granted.”

Swallow said he’d been particularly motivated by the performances of his vice-captain Miller, who broke through for his first Therabody All-Australian selection this season.

“The guys that were around me like Touk, to see what he was able to do and watch him and follow how he was going about it, I know he’s younger than me but it was really inspiring,” he said.

“It hasn’t just been one year, it’s been pretty much since he first got to the football club.

“I’m really happy that he’s just seeing those rewards for himself, he’s deserved it the whole way along and as I said he’s inspiring everyone else around him.

“The investment he gives to other guys and the leadership he displays is amazing so you love to run out with him every week.”

With a deserved off-season break on the horizon, Swallow is already looking ahead to what shapes as an important pre-season block for the club.

“Internally we obviously would have liked to finish the season better than we did,” he said.

“But I think collectively as a club we’re in a really good spot, we’ve got great people and the commitment and the buy-in from the players and staff and everyone involved, it’s a really good place to be.

“I’m really looking forward to another pre-season, I know it sounds strange but I’m keen to get back into it already.”