Whether fair, or otherwise, extra attention and scrutiny follows the No. 1 pick in any draft, but David Swallow silenced any doubters by turning in his best season in the AFL in 2014.
Gold Coast’s combative midfielder delivered on his enormous potential this season, issuing an ominous warning to the rest of the competition in doing so.
A consistent performer in Guy McKenna’s engine room, Swallow averaged 23 disposals and five clearances in playing every game.
His sensational 2014 saw the joint vice-captain become the first player outside of Gary Ablett to be named Club Champion, snapping the skipper’s three-year stranglehold on the award.
Fellow leaders Tom Lynch and Dion Prestia also finished near the top in the Best & Fairest count, a promising sign of what could come in the years ahead.
Stoppage coach, Matthew Primus, who has been among the leading influences behind Swallow’s rise, told goldcoastfc.com.au the young ball-hunter had produced some magical moments in 2014.
“He won some games on his own boot for us, turning in some outstanding performances against Richmond and Collingwood,” Primus told goldcoastfc.com.au
“He was super-competitive in taking his game to another level, and thoroughly deserved his high ranking in the B&F.”
While members and supporters often marvel at Swallow’s reckless attack on the ball, Primus said the rugged midfielder had found a better balance in inflicting damage on the inside and outside.
“By learning to impact with the outside ball, he inadvertently eased the workload on his body,” Primus said.
“He got better at it this year, and like most great midfielders will have to continue working on that area over the summer, but there is no doubt he found a better balance.”
Primus said the challenge was now for Swallow to build on his breakthrough campaign.
“David was really impressive this year, and while he took his game to another level, he is going to have to elevate that even higher next season.
“The great thing is he is equally focused on getting even better and no doubt has an exciting pre-season ahead of him.”
The stats that matter
Senior matches: 22
Goals: 15
Disposals: 513 (23.3)
Marks: 67 (3.0)
Clearances: 111 (5.3)
Tackles: 118 (5.4)
Contested Possessions: 250 (11.36)
Inside-50s: 44 (4.0)
Rebounds: 34 (1.5)
What they said...
After passing a final fitness test at the squad’s final training session, David Swallow was named to captain Gold Coast for the first time when the team met Carlton in round 20 at Etihad Stadium.
The polished midfielder had been battling an ongoing calf complaint and a Baker’s cyst behind his left knee, but pushed through to take his place in the side, a true testament to Swallow’s brute competitiveness.
McKenna had nothing but praise for his first-year vice-captain.
"He's important. He's had a fantastic year for us," Guy McKenna said.
"It's not the nature of his character to step away. In his eyes that's hoisting the white flag."
Memorable moment
There is no going past Swallow’s round 16 performance against AFL powerhouse, Collingwood, when judging the young leader’s most impressive breakthrough moment for 2014.
With Gold Coast losing star captain Gary Ablett to a shoulder dislocation in what was a pivotal third term, and Charlie Dixon (calf), Trent McKenzie (hamstring) and Sean Lemmens all succumbing to key injuries, the SUNS were without any rotations in the final 20 minutes.
But Swallow was simply magnificent, turning in a 31-possession, seven mark display to lift his young SUNS to its best win in club history.
Senior coaches, Nathan Buckley and Guy McKenn,a were unanimous in their voting for the AFLCA Player of the Year, adjudging Swallow best-on-ground for his impressive performance.
He would also claim the maximum three Brownlow votes over Sam Day (2) and Scott Pendlebury (1) as well as 23 votes in the GC SUNS Club Champion award, the fourth-highest single round tally of the season behind only Gary Ablett (24 votes v St Kilda, Round 9), Steven May (24 votes v Sydney Swans, Round 12) and Harley Bennell (24 votes v Geelong Cats, Round 14).
