David’s number games
PROCEED WITH CAUTION
SUNS star David Swallow will regard his return to AFL football a success if the tough midfield gun can make it through 15 games in 2017.
The 24-year-old former No.1 draft pick went 630 days between AFL games due to serious knee injuries before making his comeback in Round 2 against GWS this year.
Swallow and the Suns are reaping the benefits of resting Swallow at times this year, with his performance against Geelong on Saturday night one off the top shelf. But the star himself is taking a cautious approach to the remainder of the season in a bid to prolong his career.
DAVID Swallow says he will be happy to get through 15 games of his first AFL season back from serious injury if it means it prolongs his career.
Swallow is caught in an inner battle between needing to play consistent football to get back to his best while also requiring critical rest that will stop him from risking further injury and his AFL career.
The former No.1 draft pick went 630 days between AFL games due to serious knee injuries before making his comeback in Round 2 against GWS.
Yet the 24-year-old remains a game-changer for Gold Coast. Swallow was again among the Suns best in the 25point win over Geelong on Saturday, recording 23 disposals, including 20 contested possessions, 10 clearances and a goal.
It came a week after the club rested Swallow for their loss to North Melbourne and while Swallow said he felt no fresher for it, he realised it was a key step in his return.
“It’s a hard one. I need to get some continuity in the body but missing a fair bit of footy I just need to get that rest when I can,” Swallow said.
“I probably lacked a bit of run (against Geelong) but I’ll be better for it and I’ll keep building into the year.”
Swallow has played five of the first seven games and will likely need more rests as the season wears on. The club’s 2014 best and fairest said he’d be happy to reach 15 games.
It’s a tough thing to grasp for Gold Coast’s most selfless and competitive player but one he hopes will help long-term.
“Because I missed so much footy it’s more about listening to my body,” Swallow said.
“I realise I’m not going to play all 22 games this year so if I can play 15 to 18 I’ll be happy.
“I can then really build for next year and the rest of my career. I have got to look after my body as best as possible because I’m no good to anyone if I’m not playing and injured.
“I’ve been a bit more open to it and the doctors and physios have been great in communicating that to me.”
Eade had seen Swallow play just six games under him in his first year before injury took hold, but the coach was never in doubt as to what he’d have at his disposal upon his return.
“David Swallow is really vital to us — just the way he attacks the footy,” Eade said.
“I don’t think he has got back to his best yet and that’s going to take a bit of time.
“We will give him a rest every now and then to manage him because he hasn’t played for such a long period of time.
“His leadership is really born out of the way he goes about it. He leads by example.”
Swallow’s lack of self-preservation is part of what makes him so good but Eade said a better balance between winning his own ball and receiving one may make him better.
“We all talk about having a balance in your game and outside players sometimes have that balance to get a bit more contested ball,” Eade said.
“It would be nice for David to be able to do that but he’s just a warrior isn’t he?”