After four-and-a-half years on the Gold Coast, David Swallow admits Australia's tourist capital is now his home.

Even when he returns to Perth, the city where he grew up and first made his mark as a teenage footballer with immense promise.

Swallow will be inextricably linked to the GC SUNS for the remainder of his playing days, after he was the first player taken by the club in the 2010 AFL draft with the No. 1 overall pick. Well before his name was called out, he had made the move to Carrara ahead of the club’s first and only season in the VFL, after he was identified as a certain top-three pick by SUNS List & Strategy Manager Scott Clayton.

It was a bold decision to commit early to a brand new AFL club, especially for a teenager who had just completed high school. It wasn’t a call made lightly, but one that was influenced by the fact his brother and current North Melbourne captain Andrew, was overlooked on draft day the first time he nominated.

In the long run, though, it proved to be right decision. That was reinforced on an off-season trip to Perth last year, when Swallow came to the realisation he had found a home on the Coast, and that played a big part in him re-signing with the SUNS until 2017.

“I think I came home to Perth (at the end of 2013) and started getting a bit bored,” Swallow said.

“I thought ‘nah, there’s not much for me to do here’.

“I’ve still got some really close mates, but they’re all doing their thing; they’re at uni and that sort of thing.

“I love coming home to catch up with them, and obviously Mum and Dad, but definitely the Coast is home.”

Like most of the SUNS’ West Australian contingent, the 21-year-old heads across the Nullabor a day earlier than the rest of the team to catch up with family and friends.

“It gets it out of the way and allows you to concentrate on the game.

“Obviously it’s a long flight, as well, so the extra day gives you a bit more time to recover and make sure you’re feeling good come game day.”