Jack Lynch to join Swans rookie list
The Sydney Swans will add another local talent to their playing list for the 2012 season, with Jack Lynch set to be drafted as a rookie under the New South Wales Scholarship program.
Lynch, who is from Sydney, brings the number of NSW players on the Swans’ list to nine, joining co-captain Jarrad McVeigh (NSW Central Coast), Kieren Jack (Sydney), Lewis Roberts-Thomson (Sydney), Craig Bird (Central Coast), Nathan Gordon (Sydney), Dylan McNeil (Albury), Tony Armstrong (Sydney) and Eugene Kruger (Sydney).
Lynch told sydneyswans.com.au he had taken particular interest in the journey of one of the Swans’ NSW born talents, his teammate Nathan Gordon.
“I really looked into Nathan Gordon’s story and how he got picked up on the rookie list and worked his way on to the senior list,” Lynch said.
“It is a big inspiration to me to know that someone can do that and I want to follow in his footsteps.”
Lynch – who stands at 190 centimetres – joined the Swans on a NSW Scholarship in 2009, having only played Australian football for a few seasons.
He was introduced to the game by Kane Murphy, the son of Swans Hall of Famer David, while at Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview. He was spotted by the Swans while playing for the NSW/ACT RAMS and was offered a scholarship.
Lynch says his development has been aided this year by training with the Swans’ squad once a week, training with the QBE Sydney Swans Academy, and playing with the Swans Reserves in the NEAFL.
“Training with the Swans during this year I learned just how hard you have to work at an AFL Club. All the boys like Goodesy and Ryan O’Keefe really show you just how hard you have to work to become one of the top footballers at the club,” he said.
“With the Academy, I’ve had the opportunity to be coached by Paul Roos and Jared Crouch, and they’ve really helped me out with all my skills. Training with the younger boys in the Academy has also helped build up my leadership skills.”
QBE Sydney Swans Academy Talent Identification Manager, Chris Smith, who signed Lynch to a scholarship in 2009, said he has come a long way in a short time.
“Jack probably has surprised me and a few others,” Smith said.
“He has an elite background in basketball and is a great athlete with good speed and endurance. He has worked hard and I am really pleased he has been given an opportunity on the rookie list.”
Lynch is now three weeks in to his first pre-season with the Club and says he is enjoying the challenge.
