Sydney Swans’ depth pushing No. 5 draft pick Braeden Campbell to add new strings to his bow

Former No. 5 draft pick Braeden Campbell has been in and out of the Swans’ side in 2024, but the fact the Swans have such talent in the wings shows how strong the side is this season. He tells LACHLAN McKIRDY how he plans to cement his spot.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 15: Braeden Campbell of the Swans warms up during the 2024 AFL Round 01 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 15, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Braeden Campbell is determined to prove to John Longmire he should be a certain starter in their best 23 following a slow start to the season.

The number five draft pick from 2020 has been a consistent contributor for the Swans in recent years.

He played 23 matches in 2023 across both wing and halfback, looking more and more comfortable in the AFL as the season progressed.

However, the diminutive left-footer has found himself as the odd man out in an in-form midfield group this year, playing several games as the sub, and even spending two weeks in the VFL.

Braeden Campbell warms up in Round 1 at the MCG against Collingwood. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

After returning against the Dogs last Thursday, his first start since round four against West Coast, Campbell knows he has to do more to lock down his place in the team.

“It’s always nice to be back in the team and had an awesome night for a win with the boys,” Campbell said.

“It’s obviously not as I would have planned it to be (this year), but I’ve just got to take it as it is.

“It can be hard at the moment to crack into the team. But I was happy to play this game and we’ll see what happens from there.”

While there were some injury concerns for the Swans’ midfield before the season, the core group Longmire has picked through the first half of the year have proven themselves to be more than reliable.

Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Errol Gulden, James Rowbottom, Justin McInerney and James Jordon have played in every game, while Jake Lloyd has successfully transitioned to a wing role higher up the ground.

Where other players at a similar age have kicked on in 2024, particularly when you look at Warner and Gulden’s elite standing in the AFL, Campbell hasn’t been able to hit similar heights.

Braeden Campbell collects the ball against the Blues. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

By his own admission, he has been below his best and knows there is pressure on him to deliver.

“I have a few things to improve on still and I wasn’t overly happy with how I played (against the Bulldogs),” Campbell said.

“Our mids are playing so well, as are our forwards and backs, they’ve all gelled. It’s awesome for the team to be doing so well, and I’d like to be in that team.

“We’ll be a great team for years to come and it’s an awesome place to be at the moment. The boys are driving this team to improve and it’s showing on the field.”

After sitting down with Sydney’s coaches, Campbell feels as though he has a clear plan to find that improvement in his own game and get back to the football he knows he is capable of.

In his two VFL appearances, Campbell looked far more damaging taking the ball forward and that’s what his coaches want to see more of.

The 22-year-old is confident his strength is his ability to run with the ball, and he can look to teammates like Gulden to find the balance of working the ball into space and using his lethal left foot.

He also hasn’t found himself short of mentors to provide the right words of wisdom as he fights for his place in the team.

“(The message is) about that run and carry I’m able to give,” Campbell said. “That’s a strength of mine and being hard at the ball.

“It’s nice having the older boys like Heens and Tay (Adams) who make me feel back at home when I’m in the team.

“It’s still a work in progress at the moment, so I’ll just take it week by week.”

Originally published as Sydney Swans’ depth pushing No. 5 draft pick Braeden Campbell to add new strings to his bow