Sport
16 March, 2023
Magpies optimistic
A PRODUCTIVE off-season has Camperdown coach Neville Swayn optimistic about his club’s 2023 Hampden League prospects.
A PRODUCTIVE off-season has Camperdown coach Neville Swayn optimistic about his club’s 2023 Hampden League prospects.
The Leura Oval-based club announced the recruitment of Aiden Dann (Broome), Jason Baird (East Arnhem Land) and Desmond James (Halls Creek) along with the return of midfielder Riley Arnold (Noosa) on Thursday, just two weeks out from the opening round.
They join the previously announced returns of Sid Bradshaw (season off), Will Rowbottom (Palmerston), Brendan Richardson (returning from injury), Hugh Gordon (ACL) and James McVilly (Cobden) in committing to the Magpies for the upcoming season.
Swayn was pleased to have a host of locals among the inclusions.
“If you put in Rowy, Sid and Riley, you get a ruckman back, you have Sid who is one of the best kicks in the club and Riley can probably play anywhere, so it’s really crucial to get those three back,” he said.
“Richo and Hugh both didn’t play a game last year and are both like recruits.
“Richo will go to full-back and Hugh’s had a massive season and could play through the midfield or forward and we’ve also had a look at him down back too.
“Getting four or five experienced guys that are big bodies and are leaders out on the ground, that’s invaluable to us.”
Swayn was also thrilled to welcome Baird, 19, and Dann, 21, with the pair likely to line-up across the forward line, while James is only 17 and expected to be a development prospect for the Magpies.
“Getting these three new guys has just created a buzz around the community,” Swayn said.
“They’re excited, they’re new faces and the way they’re going to play is exciting, yet they’re are all very different in their characteristics.
“Aiden is more an in-and-under player and will get into good spots as a forward, while Jason is taller and will develop into a key position forward for us.
“I can imagine both are going to hit the scoreboard but in different ways, while Dessy is more of a wing-type player.”
The influx of additions caps off a summer of change at the Magpies, with Swayn implementing a new-look gameplan following a tough 2022 campaign.
The side won five games, but the fifth-year mentor is confident his side is well placed ahead of the upcoming season.
“This time 12 months ago we weren’t sure but this year we’ve got really good direction on how we want to play,” Swayn said.
“We’ve changed a fair bit and we’ve done a lot of that over the summer but I think we’re not going to play our best footy in round one, two or three.
“We’ve seen in training and our practice matches that the guys are getting the changes, so I think we can really develop (as the year goes on).
“With the list we have now, with those inclusions, I’m excited about the type of footy we can play.”
Camperdown will finish its pre-season on Saturday with a practice match against Modewarre before turning its attention to its round one contest against Terang Mortlake on April 1.