Southern Districts junior Patrick Snell drafted to Sydney Swans

The Territory product has overcome a code switch and a transition in positions to earn his draft selection from the Sydney Swans. Read about his journey.

Southern Districts junior Patrick Snell was on a schoolies trip with mates when he found out he had been selected by the Sydney Swans in the 2023 AFL Draft.

It’s been an up and down journey for the 18-year-old who originally moved to Queensland to pursue rugby before making the switch to Aussie rules at the Brisbane Lions Academy.

Since then the key position utility who started in the forwards has had his struggles with injury, but a move down back in this year’s Coates League proved a stroke of genius from his coaches.

It prompted selection to the Allies squad after a run of terrific form and though he didn’t play in the final game he was a key part of the under-18s Boys Championship win.

Snell’s extreme uptick in form gained interest from clubs across the country but ultimately he was selected by the Swans, where Allies coach Mark McVeigh is an assistant, at pick 53.

“It was just unreal, I didn’t see it coming, it was one of the best feelings I’ve ever felt and hasn’t quite sunk in yet,” he said.

“I was actually at schoolies and around all my mates, it was pretty nerve wracking and then it got to the pick and they all went crazy, it was pretty hectic.

“I just didn’t think I would go, I thought maybe in the 60s, or maybe the rookie draft but I was pretty surprised when they called my name, I had just been hoping.”

Patrick Snell playing for Queensland attempts to spoil Logan Morris of Vic Metro in an AFL Pathways match in 2022. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The switch down back was crucial in his selection and after the Allies campaign the 194cm-tall player was seen as a must-get key defender.

Snell played all his junior footy from the age of 10 at Southern Districts alongside Gold Coast Suns draftee Will Rowlands.

Now they have the chance to play against each other at the top level with Snell excited to get around the guys at the Swans where he is expected to develop into a key back.

“It was so good coming through the junior ranks at Southern Districts and to have all those boys like Will around me,” he said.

“The club helped a lot, I played there since I was 10, won a few premierships though I didn’t get a game in the seniors, but to be a part of that club and culture is unreal.

“I’m pretty keen for the move, I know how nice Sydney is and how good the club is and having already moved, it should make settling in easier, I’m really excited.

“To be around guys like Dane Rampe and Tom McCartin, and Mark McVeigh who was our coach for Allies is something I’m really stoked about, to learn from them.

“I haven’t spoken to Swans much yet about how they want to develop me but I know it will be working as a key back with the potential in a few years to become a lockdown defender.”

Originally published as Southern Districts junior Patrick Snell drafted to Sydney Swans