Trew excited to be back home with Swans

Zane Trew can consider himself unlucky to not have played more AFL games while at the West Coast Eagles and to not be on a list in 2025, but that's to Swan Districts' gain and he couldn’t be more excited about returning.

Trew cut his teeth in the Swan Districts' zone growing up and had three years in the colts including representing both Western Australia and Australia along the way before being taken in the Rookie Draft ahead of the 2021 AFL season.

He has spent the past four years now with the Eagles where he was able to breakthrough to play 13 games including seven in 2024. When not in the AFL team, he was playing for West Coast in the WAFL where he played 44 matches over the past four seasons.

While he would never say so himself, Trew could consider himself unlucky to not have played more than those 13 AFL matches given he was consistently one of the standout performers in the Eagles' WAFL team.

On the basis of that, he can consider himself mighty unlucky to not be on an AFL list in 2025 given he has proven he can contribute well at the top level and also be a top class WAFL performer.

However, that's to the benefit of Swan Districts for this upcoming WAFL season and he couldn't be more excited to be returning home.

"I’m really excited about being back at Swans again, was a no brainer to head back to the club and I’m looking forward to putting the jumper on this year," Trew said.

"It’s been good to finally get back into pre-season with everyone, after a good break over the off-season it’s good to get down to the club and work hard with all the boys."

While Trew had to keep his options open for the 2025 season just in case another AFL club did come knocking, he knew if that didn’t eventuate that Swan Districts would be the only other place he would be playing.

"Definitely, being from the area and growing up playing for swans as a junior it always felt like the right choice to come back to the club that helped me get drafted," Trew said.

"The way the club is going and where it’s headed there isn’t a better club in my opinion to be playing at right now and I’m excited to see what we can do over the next few years and have some success."

Any young footballer firstly has a dream to get drafted into the AFL and Trew got to realise that back ahead of the 2021 season before he joined the Eagles.

The next target is to then play an AFL game with Trew earning that first opportunity when he made his debut in Round 16, 2022, against Richmond at the MCG where he finished with 13 possessions and a goal.

"Playing my first game was probably one of the best experiences I’ve had yet. Having mum, dad and my brother there as well as other family and friends was so special.

"Had dreamt of that growing up and to play on the MCG for my debut and kick a goal was unreal. I’m so grateful that I got to play 13 games of AFL footy it’s more than I ever thought I was going to achieve as a kid. Was definitely everything I thought it was going to be."

Trew would play again the next week and then added another four matches in 2023, and seven in 2024, and he will always be thankful of the opportunity the Eagles provided to him to live out a boyhood dream.

"It had its ups and downs, personally struggled with injury over my first couple of years and didn’t really get to have much continuity with my football," Trew said.

"Did get to make my debut in the back half of my second year when I got my body right which I think really helped me and set me up for a good third year.

"Played a handful of AFL games that year as well as performing well in the WAFL but was always hard to crack into a side that had such a strong midfield.

"My year at west coast this year was probably my best and I think I really started to understand what it took to be a good AFL player, played solid WAFL football and the back end of the year when Schoie gave me a decent crack at it I put together some good performances at the top level.

"I did really enjoy my time at west coast and made some great mates, being in an elite environment over the last four years has really helped me develop my football and character to another level. So grateful for the opportunity the club had given me."

It's up to others to have an opinion on being surprised that Trew is no longer in the AFL system as of 2025, but from his point of view he knows he gave it his all over the past four years with West Coast and he'll now just turn his focus to giving everything to Swan Districts this season.

"I gave everything into being the best player I could be, and have consistent performances every week in the WAFL to give myself the best opportunity," Trew said.

"I’m not surprised, it’s just the way that it was. I was competing at training against some of the best mids in the comp which I think really helped my development as a player, I always knew that when my opportunity came in the AFL side I would be ready.

"I got to show that in the back end of the year playing a good block in the ones. I did everything I could to give myself the best opportunity to play AFL, unfortunately it wasn’t up to me if I played every week but I’m proud of how I performed and I’m looking forward to bringing that to Swans this year."

While Trew was focused on his football at the Eagles last year both in the AFL and WAFL, he couldn’t help but admire the stunning run that Swan Districts made all the way to the preliminary final.

That was a big reason why it was such an easy decision for him to want to come back to Swans because he wanted to be part of what he saw was building at Steel Blue Oval.

"It was exciting to watch last year, the boys were playing some good footy. I’m keen to be a part of that next year and contribute in the best way I can, it really motivates me to win a flag and bring some success back to the club," Trew said.

"I feel like the team is so well balanced, we have experience and leaders in every line. Getting to play with blokes I was in colts with and the senior boys I watched when I was younger is exiting and I’m looking forward to it. I think it’s a group that can do some good things going forward."

After four years of being a full-time AFL footballer, Trew is going to continue stay working in football throughout 2025 while getting back to playing in the WAFL.

"I’ll be working at the footy club over the next couple of years whilst I finish my study, I’m looking forward to completing that as well as giving as much time and energy into my football which is still a high priority for me," Trew said.

"Keen to see where things go over the next couple of years and enjoy playing at Swans."