AFL Draft Watch

Since 1981, the Swan Districts Football Club has produced over sixty players who have gone on to be drafted into the VFL/AFL.

In 2019, the Swans have three players who are in contention in this year’s AFL Draft.

Below are their profiles.

RILEY GARCIA

Despite being one of the smaller midfielders in this year’s AFL Draft pool, the Caversham Junior is tough, and he has an uncompromising attack on the football and opposition. His inside work allows him to win clearances, but he also has the class and the smarts to be damaging on the outside. Prior to sustaining a season-ending knee injury in WA’s match against Vic Country, Garcia had produced an outstanding carnival for the Sandgropers. In the three matches prior, he averaged 24 possessions (11 contested), 6 clearances, 4 tackles, and 4 inside 50s with his best performance coming against South Australia (28 possessions – 15 contested – 8 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 3 tackles and a goal). He also showed encouraging signs for Swans’ League team where he averaged 12 possessions, 2 inside 50s and 2 tackles across three games.

NATHAN IRELAND

Originally from the Bunbury Junior Football Club, Ireland is a key position prospect who can play at either end of the ground. Ireland started the year off in the Reserves, where he averaged 13 possessions, 6 marks, and 3 tackles across the opening four games, including a strong outing against Subiaco in round five (16 possessions and 8 marks). Ireland made his League debut for the Swans in their fixture against Perth in round eight and showed promise with 14 possessions, 5 tackles, and 4 marks. He played a further four games for the League team where he averaged 8 possessions, 3 marks, 3 tackles and booted 3 goals. He was also a member for the WA U18s State Team and showed promise in his only game which came against South Australia (9 possessions – 4 contested – 2 marks, 2 tackles and 2 inside 50s).

JAKE PASINI

The Caversham Junior is a key defender who goes about his business with a minimum of fuss. Comparable to Adelaide’s Daniel Talia, Pasini reads the play well, is strong overhead, can shut his direct opponent out of the game, helps his team-mates out and is a sound distributor by hand or foot. In four games for the Sandgropers, Pasini averaged 10 possessions, 3 marks, 2 tackles and 2 inside 50s with his best games coming against Vic Metro (10 possessions, 6 marks and 3 rebounding 50s) and Vic Country (7 possessions and 2 marks). In seven games for Swans’ Colts team, he averaged 18 possessions, 4 marks and 2 tackles. He also made his WAFL League debut against Peel Thunder in round 19 and looked comfortable with 12 possessions, 5 marks and 3 tackles.

NOTABLE VFL/AFL FOOTBALLERS TO BE DRAFTED FROM SWAN DISTRICTS