It has been almost two weeks since the newest Swans arrived at the Club. In this interview, www.sydneyswans.com.au caught up with draftees Jed Lamb and Luke Parker to see how they were settling in to life in Sydney, and just what it’s like to be the new kids on the block…
 
How have you adjusted to life in Sydney?

Jed Lamb:  I’m really enjoying it. Obviously it’s a big move from Gippsland. I guess going through the draft process, I had a while to think about moving away from home and Sydney is a great place…except for the wet weather this week!  I’ve only been to Sydney once, for the National Championships at Blacktown, and it has been a big change, especially the traffic. Where I come from there is only one set of traffic lights in the whole town!

Luke Parker:  Really well, the boys have been really welcoming. I’ve moved in with Jarred Moore and Nipper (Nathan Gordon) and they’re really good boys and looking after me at the moment.  I’m still finding my way around the whole place but it’s been really good.
 
This is your first AFL pre-season, how are you finding it?

JL: I knew it was going to be tough, and it is.  I really enjoy hard training so I’m just looking forward to getting fitter.

LP: It’s definitely another level up , but I’m handling it ok at the moment. I’m certainly a little sore after each session but am recovering well.

Tell us a little about your first day here at the Swans and what it was like meeting your new teammates?

JL: It’s pretty nerve-racking when you rock up here on your first day, but all of the players have been really welcoming. It’s a massive thing, because when you’re growing up, these players are your idols and you want to be just like them. So it’s a pretty big thing to walk down to the change rooms knowing that all the guys you’ve been watching for the last few years will be there.

LP: I wouldn’t say it was a daunting experience - it was more exciting. All the players came up and introduced themselves, so they were all really welcoming.

What are the areas you’ll be working on in the pre-season?

JL: John Longmire mentioned the other day that I might not pick up a ball until after Christmas so I can just work on my body size and strength.

LP:  Definitely my biggest goal is to just get through the pre-season, as this is the hardest pre-season I will have done to date.

Good luck boys.