Harley proud to be next Cummings generation at Swans

Carrying on his family’s legacy means the world to Harley Cummings and he now can’t wait to be part of the Swan Districts’ finals campaign in the colts starting with Sunday’s elimination final.

Not only did Harley’s dad Scott begin his football journey with Swan Districts before going on to play in the AFL at Essendon, Port Adelaide, West Coast and Collingwood, but his family’s legacy stretches well beyond that.

That makes him extra proud every time he walks into Steel Blue Oval and pulls on a Swan Districts jumper in what is now his third colts season ahead of another finals campaign.

Cummings will be part of the Swan Districts team that plays West Perth in Sunday’s colts elimination final at East Fremantle’s The Good Grocer Park where the winner will keep their season alive and take on either East Fremantle or Claremont in a first semi-final.

The 17-year-old is having the best season in his colts career to date averaging 11.2 possessions a game in 2025 on the back of playing some encouraging football in 2024 but ultimately missing out on being part of the finals run and the grand final at Optus Stadium against Claremont.

Cummings is now looking forward to being part of this finals campaign and is hoping it extends beyond Sunday.

“It’s an awesome opportunity to have. West Perth are a very strong side and no doubt will come to play but I back our boys in if we’re switched on we’d be happy to take on anyone,” Cummings said.

“It definitely hurt last year but I never felt left out throughout the whole finals campaign. It is great to be able to have another crack at it though but footy is a tough game and changes quickly. I wouldn’t want anyone to think their spot is cemented.”

Cummings got his first taste of colts football with a game back in 2023 while still part of the futures program and then played 10 games in 2024 as part of a team that ended up making it all the way to the grand final.

Now as still a 17-year-old, he is showing exciting signs as a versatile player already standing 193cm in 2025 and he is happy with the way he is continuing to improve and develop.

“Without a question. I’ve been so lucky to be a part of Swannies now for some time and the skills I have learnt as a player and a person are invaluable,” Cummings said.

“To the coaches I’ve spent most of my time with like Army, Wal and Tommy I’ve learnt so much from them about footy and life. It’s not lost on me how much time these guys give up to make us better.”

It means the world to Cummings now that he not only is playing at the same club and on the same ground at Bassendean that his dad Scott started with, but also that his uncle and grandfather spent time at.

His father played 34 games with the Swans for 104 goals including kicking 85 in 1993 before starting his AFL career where he would end up kicking 349 goals in 128 matches at Essendon, Port Adelaide, West Coast and Collingwood.

To be carrying on that family legacy in a black-and-white jumper continues to be enormously special to Cummings even while still a teenager.

“Well I know what the club means to Dad but not only him my Pa and Uncle who also played here,” Cummings said.

“It’s also a privilege to put on this jumper not a right. To think my Dad, Uncle and Pa were all running around the same track 30 and 60 years ago is crazy and a feeling I’ll never forget.”

Cummings became renowned in his playing career as a burly full-forward capable of great goalkicking feats including 95 goals in 1999 at West Coast when he won the Coleman Medal, and kicking a best of 14 against Adelaide at the WACA Ground for the Eagles in 2000.

However, it’s unlikely Harley is going to spend too much time playing out of the goal square and he’s happy to have a strong running game, and has learned how to deal with his high profile father when he’s on the other side of the fence for his matches.

“I’m lucky enough to not take too much after my Dad and more like more Pa who was an ultra marathon runner. My strong suit on the field is my aerobic fitness and dad definitely lets me know if I haven’t stepped up to that,” Cummings said.

“Dad is one of those loud footy dads that no one has to question what he’s thinking during a game. He’s brought me up with brutal honesty and I think that’s been the best for me through my journey.

“There have been a fair few quiet car rides home after a game because I had the bright idea to ask “what did you think dad?” It took time to realise it’s because he cares so much.”