From AFL Sydney to the top

Dane Rampe has shown that the path to the AFL can be taken a variety of ways as he made his debut for the Sydney Swans in last weekend’s Battle of the Bridge.

The half-back flanker collected seven posessions, including two inside-50s, and made three tackles before being substituted off in the final quarter.

The 22-year-old, born and bred in Sydney, has spent years persevering and working hard to pursue his dream of playing AFL football both in Victoria and last year, in the AFL Sydney competition.

Rampe was elevated from the rookie list last week after impressing in the Swans’ pre-season campaign, playing every NAB Cup match for the reigning Premiers.

Rampe was selected by the Swans at pick 37 in last year’s rookie draft, and is a graduate of the AFL Sydney competition.

His debut capped a meteoric rise to professional AFL for Rampe. Last year he was playing in the AFL Sydney competition and made a few appearances for the Swans reserves in the NEAFL Eastern Conference.

After being invited to join pre-season training with the Premiers ahead of the 2013 season, Rampe was selected on the rookie list before impressing so much he was elevated to the senior list and picked to make his AFL debut for the Swans’ Round 1 clash against the GWS GIANTS.

Speaking to SwansTV, Rampe said he was ‘itching’ to get out on field for the team he grew up supporting.

“I’m just unbelievably proud and really excited,” Rampe said.

“I guess this week I was coming in with a bit of anticipation as to what was going to happen with first the elevation, and over the last few days I’ve just been waiting to see if I made that final team.

“To have four games in the NAB Cup was just unbelievable, but to take that next step and to be playing gives me a lot of confidence in knowing that they’ve got the confidence in me.

“Being here playing for the team I love and grew up supporting is just unbelievable and I’m just having so much fun doing it.”

Speaking at last Wednesday’s official season launch at Parliament House, Sydney co-captain Kieren Jack said Rampe’s work ethic was an inspiration for young players.

“He’s been terrific this pre-season, he’s had a really great attitude and it’s a great sign for kids looking up to players to know that even if you get knocked back, you can come back and an opportunity can still present itself.”

Rampe played a starring role for UNSW/Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs in the 2012 AFL Sydney competition, while also making appearances for the Swans reserves.

So dominant was Rampe in the AFL Sydney competition that he won both the Phelan Medal for the competition’s best and fairest player, and the Howarth Trophy for representative player of the year.

The Clovelly product’s rise is testimony to the importance of AFL Sydney in grooming players for the rigours that come with playing with AFL football.

Jack said Rampe’s rise through the ranks was an example of the growing strength of AFL in NSW.

“It’s a great sign for footy in NSW, I think he had a stint down in Melbourne but probably missed a few opportunities there, but he came through the Swans academy too so it’s a great sign.”

AFL Sydney Football Operations Manager, Matthew Graham, said Rampe’s selection was a great advertisement for the value of the competition.

“AFL Sydney provides an excellent platform for talented players to show their wares to AFL clubs and Dane’s elevation is a fine example of this,” Graham said.

“This is an excellent advertisement for AFL Sydney and the quality of player it attracts.”

This will be Rampe’s first taste of elite football after having previously trained with the Western Bulldogs for two years after joining the Victorian club in 2009.

However, he was unable to break into the club’s senior squad, forced to play both seasons with Williamstown in the VFL.