REACTION from 2010 NAB AFL Rising Star winner Daniel Hannebery's parents Matt and Geraldine, club general manager of football Dean Moore and senior teammate Jude Bolton.
Matt Hannebery on his son's competitive nature
"He did a triathlon up in Ballarat and he was trying desperately to make a state side. He didn't have the gear some of the other kids had, like the flash bike, and he actually borrowed a wetsuit for the day because it was a big race and he had to come fourth.
"The wetsuit broke prior to the race so he got out of the water and he was a long way off where he needed to be, nearly three or four minutes, so he rode as hard as he could.
"On the run, he was chasing this kid and he was basically dry-retching. As a 13-year-old, he was that competitive.
"He didn't get the spot and he was bitterly disappointed but to this day, I look back and remember how it was just insane for a young boy to run himself to exhaustion to get a spot in that team."
Geraldine Hannebery on her son's family life and off-field maturity
"Initially it was really sad, especially for me, for him to move away. I was really emotional because we're all so close as a family. Dan's quite pivotal in the whole family set-up and Molly, Alice, Matt and myself missed him enormously.
"Being part of a very big family - I'm one of 12 kids, number 10 - he's always been inundated with adults and family with a lot of family functions. It's forced him to conduct himself pretty well and he's done a good job."
Dean Moore on his player's attitude and the lessons of his off-field indiscretion
"He has a terrific work ethic, he knows what it takes to play AFL footy, he's shown he's committed, he's dedicated. He listens to the coaches, he's prepared to work on his deficiencies.
"[The Xavier College prank] was a good lesson for Dan. We need to keep it in perspective as well. He was a kid with his mates.
"But when he came back to the club and had a chat with Brett (Kirk) and the leadership group, he realised then that if you're going to be an AFL footballer, you just can't afford to put yourself in those situations."
Jude Bolton on his teammate's life as a Swan
"He's been phenomenal with his willingness to learn. That's just going to put him in good stead for the rest of his career.
"He trains really hard and puts all the effort in on the track. He's constantly asking questions - probably too many, in fact - but it's great to see.
"We knew he was a super-talented player when he was able to play seven games while he was still at school.
"Having a full pre-season under his belt and coming up here and being in an elite environment has put him in great stead."
Cheer on the Sydney Swans in the First Elimination Final against Carlton at ANZ Stadium on Sunday, September 5 at 2:40pm - Purchase your tickets now
For all your match day information, including transport and parking, visit Match Day Info
Show your support in the 2010 Toyota AFL Finals Series by adding Swans colours to your Twitter or Facebook profile picture - tell me more about Twibbons
Everything Finals from ticketing to twibbons, Members' Monday and the path to the Grand Final - visit Finals 2010
