Craig Bird has signed a three-year deal whilst Jesse White, Heath Grundy, Brett Meredith and the exciting Patrick Veszpremi have all signed two-year contracts.
Grundy is the most experienced of the group, making his debut in 2006 and playing 44 games. He will line up today against Collingwood which will take his total to 45, more importantly he hasn’t missed a game all season. Since 2006 he has played in a number of roles but this season has certainly cemented himself in the backline.
Bird was the Swans inaugural scholarship player and after being elevated to the senior list at the start of the 2008 season, he made his debut in round one and only missed three games for the year. This season was cut short due to injury but after signing on for three years, there is plenty more to be seen of the 20 year-old midfielder.
White also made his debut in 2008 but managed just two games in that season. With a basketball background and a big, strong body, he has notched up sixteen games this season. With the departure of Peter Everitt the 21 year-old went into this season playing more as a back-up ruckman but since Barry Hall retired, he has slotted in comfortably at full-forward. He is currently sitting fourth on the Swans goalkicking tally for this season, behind Goodes (32), Hall (31), O’Loughlin (20) and equal with Jolly (16).
The other player to debut last year was Veszpremi, who has been known to provide plenty of excitement, both in regards to his own celebrations as well as what he can produce on-field. He is another to have been struck down by injury this year and will be better for a full pre-season heading into 2010. At 20 years of age, he has played ten games in total and four this year.
The final of the quintet is 20-year-old Meredith. He made his debut this season in round two and played seven consecutive games before suffering a season ending arm injury. He is an excellent kick, good decision-maker and will also benefit from a solid preseason looking ahead to next year.
There are some new faces emerging at the Swans.
