SWALLOW’S SUN SHINE WILL TRULY ENDURE
Simply the best star ever to grace the guernsey is set for a fitting milestone, writes
THE ultimate player, person and clubman – the best the Gold Coast Suns have ever produced.
That is David Swallow’s legacy as described by Jarrod Harbrow, the man whose Suns games record he will surpass this weekend.
One of just three inaugural Suns still at the club from its 2011 inception, Swallow, 29, will play his 193rd – and perhaps most important – AFL game in a must-win Qclash blockbuster against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night.
It will set a new benchmark for the most games played by a single player in a Suns jumper and Harbrow says there is no player more deserving of the honour than his good mate with the perfect hair and “West Australian tan” who quickly proved himself a leader of men.
“I remember the first day he walked in … the hair was perfectly groomed. He was a bit of a rooster. He and Jaeger O’meara, not a hair out of place with their perfect West Australian tans,” grinned Harbrow.
“He’s the same Dave Swallow that walked in as an 18-year-old that he is now as a 29-year-old. He came in a ready-made footballer and became someone you wanted to build your footy club around – a player like him but also more importantly, a person like him. He’s courageous, sometimes reckless with how he goes about it, and he’s a selfless, team-first leader. Beyond that he’s just a really good person. The ultimate teammate and clubman.”
For his part, Swallow hailed Harbrow for his leadership and experience particularly during the club’s fledgling seasons in the AFL.
“Harbs is someone who I’ve always looked up to. I just loved the way he went about it and what he’s done and continues to do for the club, so this is definitely a great honour and I’m very grateful,” he said.
Swallow, the 2010 No.1 selection in the national draft, defied reported interest from Western Australia to sign a five-year extension with the Suns in 2018.
It was a significant deal in context for a club that had been left reeling after the departures of co-captains Tom Lynch and Steven May, only a year after Gary Ablett returned to Geelong, and in Harbrow’s mind solidified Swallow’s leadership credentials.
“We’ve obviously had players in the past who went to other clubs when things were tough but he’s one who stood tall and made a commitment to see it through. He’ll be a oneclub player and I think he’s the best footballer that we’ve had at the club,” Harbrow declared.
“He’s been so consistent and given absolutely everything to this footy club and doesn’t look like slowing down either. He’s still playing some really good football and leading by example.”
Swallow was promoted to the captaincy in 2019 after the departures of Lynch and May and led the Suns alongside Jarrod Witts until handing over to Touk Miller before the start of this season.
He told The Courier-mail this week the decision to step down as captain was one he dwelled on for a
long period before ultimately deciding it was best for he and the club.
“I brought it up with Dewy (coach Stuart Dew) and we sat on it probably for a month … but it was something we all felt comfortable with and felt it was a good time,” Swallow said.
“I had started reflecting a bit on what would be best for the team and myself over the next few years in terms of performance. (I felt) it was the best move for the group and seeing the way Touk has gone about it, it’s been a good move.”
Freed from some of the traditional leadership responsibilities, Swallow has flourished in 2022 playing a number of key roles including deputising in defence early in the year, before a midfield return that has sparked the Suns’ finals push.
It’s a charge that would all but come to an end if they can’t end Brisbane’s run of seven-straight Qclash victories, in what looms as the biggest Queensland derby in history owing to what is at stake for both sides.
“Certainly for us it’s to keep our finals hopes alive, so it couldn’t be bigger in terms of that aspect,” Swallow said.
“And Brisbane wants to keep some form going and cement a top four spot so in terms of stakes it couldn’t be much higher.
“I think that’s what’s been so good about this season, every week there seems to be so much to play for. We’ve probably not earned that right in the past few years so to be in this position is what footy is all about.”
He’s courageous ... and he’s a selfless, teamfirst leader JARROD HARBROW