Family ties beckon
Swallow hopes his bro can land coaching gig
SUNS midfielder David Swallow remains hopeful of linking up with brother Andrew on the Gold Coast and believes he would be an asset to the club’s coaching ranks.
Andrew retired after 12 years at North Melbourne after failing to get his requested trade to the Suns earlier this month.
But the former Roo has been in talks about taking up a coaching position on the Gold Coast so he can be closer to younger brother David, 25, and his partner Georgie Homer who are expecting their first child.
David consulted with new Suns coach Stuart Dew while the club mulled over whether to recruit Andrew as a player.
He said he was disappointed not to have the chance to play with his brother but was hopeful he would still make the move to Queensland.
“It was exciting for us both,” Swallow said. “It didn’t eventuate but that’s fine, that is footy and that is the way it goes sometimes.
“Hopefully he will still be moving up here and doing something in some capacity.
“He was coming up (yesterday) to sort all that out. He has a young family as well so for him to be close to me and Georgia will be great.”
Swallow said Andrew would fit perfectly into the Suns coaching ranks given his contested style of football is the same Dew wants to implement at the Gold Coast.
Swallow also has a reputation for his toughness and ability to win his own ball and the respected Sun said Dew’s style would help him continue to develop his game.
Swallow and the rest of the Suns’ senior players had their first training session of the pre-season at the club’s Carrara base yesterday.
Michael Barlow – who broke his leg during June’s Round 13 game against Carlton – showed he had no lingering issues from the injury, winning the 2km time trial.