Sydney recruit Malcolm Rosas Jnr on trade from Gold Coast and life as a Swan so far
Malcolm Rosas Jnr was being courted by numerous clubs before he chose Sydney. He opens up on why the Swans won out — and the past player he looks up to.
For Swans fans, not many players lit up the field this century more than speedster Lewis Jetta.
His foot race against Cyril Rioli in the 2012 grand final brought the MCG to its feet, while his remarkable solo goal a week earlier against Collingwood in the preliminary final will be remembered for some time.
And it's that legacy that new recruit, Malcolm Rosas Jnr, is hoping he can replicate even just a part of as he prepares to begin his career in the red and white.
“Lewis Jetta, I loved watching him play,” Rosas said. “He could run really fast.
“The support I’ve had from people like the GO Foundation and all that has really helped (with the move). I’m looking forward to the bigger picture as well.”
After 49 games at the Gold Coast Suns over the past five years, including just four appearances in 2025, Rosas wanted a fresh start. After being courted by numerous clubs, the Swans eventually won out for his services, and a trade was successfully completed.
Although the facilities and the Sydney lifestyle were certainly a selling point, Rosas said it was the confidence he felt from Dean Cox and the Swans coaches that made the biggest difference.
“It was the coaching staff and what they wanted to bring in and the types of roles they wanted to play,” Rosas said of the trade process. “If I could fit inside the Swans’ system, that’s what I was keen for.
“I want to come here and play a role, and make sure I nail that role. And if I can bring the boys with me, and we can connect better, we’re going to be better. That’s the main focus.
“To come here, I didn’t really know anybody. But the boys have been good, and I’ve made a lot of connections already. I’m living with some other boys at the moment, but I’m moving out this week. The younger boys are good; they do clean and cook for themselves.”
Sydney wasn’t necessarily short of small forwards ahead of the trade period. They have a former All-Australian in Tom Papley, as well as first-round draft pick from 2024, Jesse Dattoli, to call upon. Braeden Campbell and Jake Lloyd also spent portions of 2025 playing around the half-forward line.
But while all their mercurial talents could add more from an attacking perspective, Rosas almost prides himself more on the defensive pressure he can bring to the line-up.
Cox has made no secret of his desire for the Swans to be set up well defensively. And Rosas wants to be a pillar of creating that pressure in the forward half.
“It’s probably the main thing I think about,” Rosas said. “I just want to get those opportunities to turn it over and go forward. I’ll bring my speed on offence and defence.
“Wherever they need me to play, that’s what I’m going to do. And I want to play. But I think I can only control what I can control, I’ve just got to do my best and help out going forward.”
The 24-year-old knows he will have to impress if he wants to earn a spot in Sydney’s best 23 for opening round.
He is one of nine new faces at the club this season, including key forward Charlie Curnow who he conceded he was a bit “star struck” by when they met at the first training session.
But the Swans do believe that Rosas can cement his place in the team and help them improve on last season’s 10th-place standing. And while he thinks he wouldn’t be able to match Jetta’s speed in his prime, the proud Rembarrnga man from Darwin has a chance to create a similar legacy in Sydney.
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Originally published as Sydney recruit Malcolm Rosas Jnr on trade from Gold Coast and life as a Swan so far
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