THERE was one thought running through Braeden Campbell's mind when the Sydney Academy prospect trained with the Swans last year.
In a kicking drill it was Campbell's job to pass to Lance Franklin. The pressure was on.
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"All that was going through my head was 'Don't stuff up this kick'," Campbell told the Road to the Draft podcast.
"I ended up with a pretty good kick to him, but I was nervous."
Campbell trained with the Swans last year and has been involved on and off with the club's program in recent years as a member of their Academy. They'll get first access to the local half-forward/midfielder at this year's NAB AFL Draft.
The 18-year-old said training with the club had taught him about the step up he hopes to take at the end of this year.
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"I did pre-season with the Sydney Swans and that was a week training with them and I learned what level the skills need to be at, how much it changes from under-18s footy to seniors footy, and they've really helped me," he said.
"The Swans have been awesome and provided me with every opportunity to hopefully get drafted and be put on their list. Doing pre-season an training sessions with them, and then with the under-18s Academy, it's been unreal as we're a really tight group.
"I see every training session with them as an opportunity to improve."
The Swans have enjoyed brilliant success from their Academy, with Isaac Heeney (2014), Callum Mills (2015) and Nick Blakey (2018) all products who drew first-round bids in their respective drafts.
Campbell could do the same, with many scouts viewing him as a potential top-10 choice after an excellent season that was capped by his standout three-goal in the under-17s NAB All Stars 'futures' game on Grand Final day.
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He had aimed to play for the Swans' NEAFL side this year before the COVID-19 shutdown of the season threw out plans.
"That would be my dream to be picked up by the Swans. I've grown up here all my life, I go for the Swans as well. But I'd also be keen to go to any club if that's achieving my dream to be drafted," he said.
The Swans will also have access to Errol Gulden, a small forward who shapes as a possible top-30 pick, while wingman Marco Rossman is another Academy prospect who has some promising attributes.
