THE SYDNEY Swans plan to play schoolboy Daniel Hannebery in his first AFL game this Saturday against Carlton at Docklands.

Hannebery has been playing for Xavier College in Melbourne and has only spent the last three weeks in Sydney as he has been busy completing his year 12 studies.

Hannebery said he was surprised to get the call-up after only playing five games for the Swans’ reserves side this year.

“I definitely didn’t think I would be playing AFL senior footy when I came to Sydney three weeks ago,” Hannebery said. “It was more about development and learning and getting the most out of three weeks up here and being part of a professional set-up.

“It was an awesome feeling when Roosy called me into his room and told me that I would be playing this week.

“It is good that I have been in form in the reserves and I am hoping to take that into the match on Saturday.”

Coach Paul Roos said that while the club was initially hesitant to play Hannebery, his consistent good form in the reserves made it almost impossible not to pick him.

Roos also had no concerns about Hannebery’s slight build, with the youngster standing 182cm tall and weighing 77kg.

Roos said that although Hannebery had not trained with the team a great deal or been to many team meetings he was still too good to ignore.

“He played so well in those three reserves games that it was an obvious and exciting choice,” Roos said.

“He is a real ball-winner with nice skills and good hands. He may not be super quick on the field but he is super quick of the mind. He is a really smart player.

“He is coming in on good form. His greatest football attribute is his football mind as he knows where the football is and how to get the football. He is a good ball user and decision-maker.”

Drafted at No.30 in last year’s draft, the 18-year-old Hannebery comes from a fine footballing background with his father Matthew having played 32 games for Footscray and his uncle Mark taking the field 60 times for Collingwood.