Here's one way to stop Andrew Swallow, North Melbourne's emerging midfielder on the brink of moving into the elite level: ask him to tie a Windsor knot.
We're on the 15th floor of a Collins Street building in Melbourne's CBD and Swallow's sheepishness is soon matched by mine and that of the photographer.
As we set up for a photo shoot in his workplace boardroom, it's suggested Swallow dons a blue and white North Melbourne tie to match his sharp dark suit. After taking the tie, Swallow laughs and admits he can't do one up unless he's following a step-by-step guide, and hands it back. He needn't have bothered, and I try to pass on the duty to the photographer. No luck there, either. Together, one tie has the three of us beat.
Thankfully, Swallow's stockbroker boss enters the room to save him, tying his best Windsor knot so we can get the photos out of the way.
Asked if he would mind having his photo taken downstairs, among the public, Swallow is fine with the idea. "Nobody knows me here anyway, they're all businessmen," he says.
Although he might be just another young man in a suit in Melbourne's CBD, Swallow is fast developing a high profile in the blue and white stripes.
Swallow works part-time for stockbroking firm Patersons Securities during the football season.
He started with the company in October, 2008, but is more than a token appointment. He contributes to the daily newsletter sent to clients, is a keen student of financial markets and their fluctuations and has also developed the skills to deal with new clients and help expand their investment portfolios.
"I've always been interested in finance, and the opportunity came up to look into stockbroking so I took it and I've really enjoyed it," Swallow says.
"I suppose it's also got a bit to do with getting used to what it would be like to work a normal day. My dad's an accountant so I've probably got a good sense of it from him.
"It's important for me to get my head into a different space where I'm not constantly surrounded by footy or talking about footy and to do something else I enjoy."
It was the fact football can be cutthroat, however, that led to Swallow wanting to get his mind away from the game.
Of the 10 players drafted by North in 2005, only Swallow remains on the list. It serves as a constant reminder.
"I lived with Tim Hutchison in my first year, a player drafted from Adelaide. He lasted a year and a half and he was out the door. Seeing those guys cut, I'm always aware that your time can be pretty short," says Swallow, who turned 23 at the start of this month and has played 73 games.
Read the full story in the round 12 edition of the AFL Record, available at all venues.
