Will Gould’s time at Glenelg had him ready for life as a Swan
Sydney draftee Will Gould may have been playing at South Australian club Glenelg last year but the Swans knew the young defender was always going to be the perfect fit them.
Sydney
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Will Gould arrived at the Swans pre-programmed with the Bloods DNA that has him perfectly placed to seize a defensive slot and make it his own.
The 191cm, 98kg halfback, who has been compared to West Coast’s Shannon Hurn, has made a big impression at the club since arriving as draft pick 26 in late November.
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The retirements of Heath Grundy, Nick Smith, Jarrad McVeigh and Kieren Jack at the end of last season means an opportunity is there to be grasped and Gould — this week picked out as the Swans’ top AFL SuperCoach rookie option — is not about to just wait patiently in the line.
And that’s just fine with the man who works to improve his game on a daily basis, Swans defence supremo John Blakey.
Both player and coach acknowledge the importance of an apprenticeship at 2019 SANFL champions Glenelg.
Gould was part of the victorious grand final team that defeated Port Adelaide in front of 39,000 fans at Adelaide Oval.
Glenelg are led by former Swans assistant coach Mark Stone, with his influence key in helping Gould adapt to life with the red and whites.
“He’s come through a system last year where he was coached by Mark Stone, who was one of our coaches here a few years ago,” Blakey told The Saturday Telegraph.
“And what they learn in Glenelg is similar to what we do here, so Will comes in with knowledge and experience of senior footy. It holds him in good stead.”
Gould added: “I was lucky to have Mark as my coach so a lot of the game plan was similar. A year’s apprenticeship, I guess to come to the Swans. A lot of defensive structures are very similar, which is handy for me (as a defender). I know the basic fundamentals of the game plan and that’s helped me.”
While Gould’s size makes him a formidable prospect for opponents, Blakey said there was so much more to the youngster than his frame.
“(Head coach) John Longmire always says we don’t look at birth certificates here,” he said. “If you’re good enough, you’ll play. That’s the case for Will.
“He’s a good mover and he has a beautiful kick as well. His strength is reading the game.
“He’s able to intercept and you know once he gets the ball he’s going to use it and take us forward. We’re very excited with what we’ve seen.
“He’s got a body that’s ready to play senior footy so it’s just rounding off some edges and some (footballing) education.”
And while Gould is enjoying life on the track — on Friday getting stuck into a match simulation session — he’s also very happy with his new home.
His parents are in town for a visit and popped in for an inspection of the house their son shares with fellow Swans Zac Foot and Joel Amartey.
“They (parents) came and checked out the house last night and made sure my bed was made and no jocks and socks on the floor,” Gould joked. “No, it’s all good.”
And as the 19-year-old and his fellow Swans draftees took a break to tackle the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb, it’s clear Gould isn’t done climbing yet.
Not by a long way.