ROOKIE Swan Ed Barlow sayshis career was at a crossroad eight weeks ago, but some soul-searching helpedhim believe he was good enough to play senior  footy.

His new-found confidencewas on show in a promising AFL debut against the Lions in Brisbane lastSaturday. The tall forward managed 18 possessions and collected a stack ofplaudits.

"It was at that stagewhen, maybe, it was time to lift and you want to do well,” the 20-year-old saidtoday.

"You have to have thatwant to play AFL footy. I guess you look at it and see that you got theopportunities to play and to get paid to do something you love.

“It was me making sure Ijust woke up to myself and started lifting."

And Barlow lifted when itmattered against Brisbane. "The coaches were really good. They said 'Goout and do what you've been doing in the twos. Just back yourself.'

"I don't think Iplayed that well, but the coaches were happy. As long as they're happy, I'mhappy. Obviously the pace was fast but once I got a touch on the ball, I wasfine," he said.

"I was pretty nervousbut then excited and was looking forward to finally getting a run outthere."

The 194cm forward,nicknamed "Cheese", is also studying psychology at university. Hebegan his sporting career playing rugby league in Tathra, near Bega, beforemoving to Melbourne to study. "I'd always kicked the footy, though,"he said.

Swans reserve coach anddevelopment manager Brett Allison said he always believed Barlow had theraw talent to make it.

"He has athleticability and it was right on the mark for what we are looking for thesedays," Allison said.

"Just the self-belieffactors were probably low. We could see he had skill and a reasonable idea ofhow to play but just couldn't find that consistency out on the ground,” hesaid.

Comparisons with the greatAdam Goodes are a little premature, added Barlow. "If I can be a quarteras good as Goodsey, I'd be really happy.”

But after his showing atthe Gabba on Saturday night, Barlow said he's ready to play his part in theSwans' finals push.

"I'm a lot moreconfident now so I guess you could say I do believe [in my ability] a lot more thanbefore."