SUNS’ FAMILY VALUES
THE SUNS RECKON THEY HAVE FOUND THE SECRET TO AFL SUCCESS – AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS ON THE FIELD, AS TOM BOSWELL REPORTS
THE Gold Coast Suns playing group have decided on one key pillar for 2018 – family.
It’s something the club’s first ever draft pick and new father David Swallow is becoming increasingly familiar with following the arrival of son Charlie last month.
The midfielder was presented his 2018 playing guernsey – something the playing group hadn’t done since their debut – by Charlie and brother and former North Melbourne captain Andrew and yesterday.
He was one of a number of players to have friends, family, representatives from local footy clubs and Suns staff to present jumpers to the list.
“It was really nice and something the club hasn’t done in the past so for that to happen was really special,” Swallow said of the surprise.
“We are really building towards becoming a really close family unit and club. We have had a strong preseason with (new coach) Stuey (Dew) and it’s going to be about that continual growth. We will continue to bring it back to that family aspect and hopefully that can take us far.”
Andrew, a father himself, played 224 games for the Kangaroos before retiring at the end of last year and moved up to Byron Bay with partner Elise to be closer to his brother to provide support and help the Suns midfielder.
FAMILY MATTERS
David said his family’s presence has been the missing link he needed while Andrew believed his move would help his sibling gain perspective and balance that could make him an even better player.
“Footy is such a hard game and the Gold Coast Suns are a new club in a new market up here,” Andrew Swallow said.
“Everything they do is a first so they have to work hard to establish themselves and build something special.
“Having kids puts things into perspective and it’s about family and building relationships. The more they can do that the quicker they will build and grow and become a really successful club we know they can be.”
LEARNING ANEW
Last year Gold Coast pinned their hopes on belief, with chairman Tony Cochrane pointing to John F. Kennedy’s 1962 Rice Moon speech convincing the US they would be the first on the moon. Cochrane said this year the theme was even harder to live up to.
“We are going to be an aspirational group,” he said.
“We are going to achieve, and going to do it together.”
Dew’s message for his players was simple: The time for talk was over.
“I have talked for five months, now is the time for action,” Dew said. “We are going to win together and lose together. Good footy clubs keep a level playing field, win or lose you maintain that consistency. The other part is to enjoy the challenge.”