DANIEL McPherson is revelling in his role as the Swans' second development coach saying his first six months in the job have been an eye-opening experience.

"It's a great role. You get to see the young guys rock up to the club all bright eyed and not really knowing what it's all about,” he said.

"Then, they quickly see it's a pretty serious caper with a lot of work required. It's really interesting to see how they develop and grow as players and people."

McPherson made his debut for the Swans in 1994, playing 111 games for the club before retiring in 2003. He found himself back in the action as a runner last season before taking on the job as the second development coach alongside Brett Allison at the start of this year.

The pair look after 15-16 rookie first and second-year Swans and have the task of coaching the Swans reserves in the Canberra ACTAFL competition on the weekend.

One such rookie with an interesting history is Jake Orreal. The 205cm former basketball junior joined the Swans as a virtual novice AFL player in the off-season, but with enormous potential.

The 18-year-old Queenslander booted a goal last weekend for the reserves against Ainslie and is beginning to shine, alongside talented 19-year-old ruckman Daniel Currie.

After a recent illness which saw him return to his family in Queensland, blonde ruckman Orreal has returned full of fire, racking up four reserve games.

"Jake's come a long way in a pretty short time," says McPherson. "When he first got here he looked a long way out of his depth and I think he knew that too. He was pretty awestruck.

"But since he's returned his attitude has changed and he's really attacked training because he was feeling better. He's got a lot to learn though, but athletically he's a great size and moves well.

"He's a great competitor and he's given himself a chance. He's probably a couple of years away at best though, but as a long-term project, he could be an absolute chance."

The Swans reserves can only have 13 of their players on the field at any one time. The rest of the side is made up of players from Canberra clubs - the idea of the rule being to even up the competition (the Swans are reigning premiers).

"Daniel Currie the ruckman has come on in the last month after a slow start. Matty O'Dwyer has done well, as has Nick Smith," McPherson said. 

And enigmatic midfielder Ryan Brabazon has, according to McPherson, also come on in leaps and bounds over the past few weeks. The 21-year-old from Western Australia – who's been on the club’s list for two years without managing a senior game - was one of the team's best in last week's 58-point win over Ainslie.

"He's a terrific runner… just perhaps his ball use hurts him at times. But that's improving and he's another who's coming along pretty well."

Also putting in a strong showing is Nick Davis, a veteran of 168 AFL matches, he booted five goals for the reserves on the weekend.

The 2005 premiership player hasn't been in the seniors since the round-six draw with North Melbourne. He's only played three AFL games for 2008, and some doubt the likeable 28-year-old’s ability, but not McPherson.

"He's obviously got enormous talent. It's just a consistency thing and also at the moment there aren't a lot of spots in the seniors. He has to perform well week to week."

"The young guys are learning off guys like Nick, and others such as Nic Fosdike and Ben Mathews," notes McPherson.

As an ex-player, McPherson is only too conscious of the way the game is constantly evolving, and how these changes impact on the modern AFL footballer.

"It's just getting quicker and quicker. Guys are expected to be super-professional all year long, pretty much.

"In the past, you're able to relax for six to eight weeks and over Christmas, but these days you can't afford to let yourself go at all.

"It's a 12-month a year job… and those who aren't professional fall away pretty quickly."

The 32-year-old revels in the current-day professionalism of Australian football, and is passionate about his trade.

"Coming in to work with this calibre of athlete … well I can certainly think of a lot worse jobs."