RAY OF HOPE
Swallow shuts door on exodus of Suns stars
DAVID Swallow has defied the Gold Coast Suns’ player exodus to commit his longterm future to the battling AFL club.
In a massive show of faith following the recent departures of co-captains Tom Lynch and Steven May, classy midfielder Swallow (pictured) yesterday extended his deal with the Suns until the end of the 2024 season.
Coming off a season in which they finished secondlast with just four wins in 22 games, the Suns have also lost a host of experience in Aaron Hall, Kade Kolodjashnij, Michael Barlow, Jesse Lonergan, Jarryd Lyons and Matt Rosa.
But Swallow, 24, was adamant it was not all doom and gloom for Stuart Dew’s side.
“I’m obviously super excited to sign on with the Suns longterm,” Swallow, originally from Perth, said.
“I’ve thought about it for a while now, I’m happy to get it (a deal) done and looking forward to the next few years.
“I’m committed to helping the club get to where it wants to get to. There have been a number of changes throughout the club in recent times and it’s going to be fresh for myself and everyone involved this year.
“The club is well placed, some good appointments in the coaching area and fitness staff and going forward is really exciting and I can’t wait to get stuck into it.
“We’ve got a young list that’s really tight and driven for success. Everyone wants to see the Suns be successful and it’s going to take a collective effort from everyone involved to get there.”
Recruited from East Fremantle in 2010, Swallow has become one of the Suns’ most reliable players throughout his 117-game career.
Now settled on the Glitter Strip, he said re-committing to the club was an easy decision.
“The Gold Coast community has really embraced us in my time up here. Me and my partner Georgia love living on the Gold Coast, it’s home,” he said.
“We’ve got a young family, we’ve got a business, we’re really settled here.”
COLLINGWOOD’S latest international experiment kicked off yesterday with Irish recruits Anton Tohill and Mark Keane training at the club.
Development coach Tarkyn Lockyer put them through a light session.
The Pies believe Tohill can be a tall utility. Keane has shown he’s a strong mark.