Local boy Dane Rampe proud to help lead Swans as club’s NSW brigade grows

As Dane Rampe contemplates the prospect of being a Swan for life, the Sydney co-captain is excited the club’s NSW brigade continues to grow.

Sydney Swans players from NSW.

Clovelly’s own Dane Rampe proudly sees a growing shade of blue swelling the red and whites ranks, and as he contemplates the prospect of being a Swan for life, the club’s new co-captain hopes the NSW trend will continue apace at Moore Park.

The 28-year-old will start the 2019 campaign as one of three co-captains at the club, armed with a new three-year contract extension.

And he is happy to entertain the idea of spending his career with the Swans. He just can’t see himself anywhere else.

SUPERSTAR SWAN: Buddy ‘like another coach’ on ground

CO-CAPTAIN: Giant honour for Davis to continue as leader

As a Sydney boy playing for the club he grew up adoring, he hopes that same ambition burns in NSW youngsters watching today’s red and white stars.

“I’m incredibly humbled and excited at the opportunity (to be co-captain),” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“It’s really exciting with the young group we’ve got going forward and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the club with two pretty special leaders in Parkesy (Luke Parker) and Joey (Josh Kennedy).

“It’s (leadership) a way of moving the team forward as well. Everyone has an interest in improving the players around you because not only do you become a better player but more importantly the team becomes as best as it can be. Plus we have coaching staff and a group of players that bounce off each other and value everyone else’s opinion.”

Co-captain Dane Rampe signed a three-year contract extension in December. Picture: Getty Images

But Rampe admits he’s come a long way from the Swans-mad kid to mainstay of the back line.

“It’s pretty surreal and I have to pinch myself now and again though,” he said. “It’s a huge privilege.

“I grew up in Clovelly. I was coming to Swans games from a young age with the old man and it stemmed from that.

“I was incredibly lucky that the Swans gave me a chance. There are 17 other clubs I could have ended up at and I end up at the one around the corner. It’s a huge result.”

Rampe’s heroes in red and white were Brett Kirk, Jude Bolton and Adam Goodes.

“Ironically I was lucky enough to play with both Goodesy and Jude and last year Kirky’s come into a coaching role at the club.” he said.

He hopes other NSW youngsters will follow their heroes into the ranks in the years to come.

“The game’s definitely growing in NSW,” he said.

“I think we’ve got nearly a quarter of our list from NSW — which five years ago would have been unheard of.

Sydney Swans players from NSW.

“When I started here I think there were only two or three of us. So to have, I think, 10 or 11 now is a huge result, especially for the development of the game.”

As preparations continue for the 2019 season, Rampe has the added security of an extended deal that will see him as part of the squad until the end of 2022.

“You can never say never but I don’t see myself going anywhere,” he said.

“I love the club, I love the city and I’ve no intentions of moving anywhere.”

Rampe believes the defensive stocks are in good shape with plenty of quality options for John Longmire to pick from.

“I think we’ve got a really good mix of experience and youth,” he said.

“I’m really excited with what the potential for the backline is.”

Originally published as Local boy Dane Rampe proud to help lead Swans as club’s NSW brigade grows