NEAFL a pathway to AFL

By Matt Rossleigh

Mitch Morton’s journey from the NEAFL to the AFL Grand Final should be a source of inspiration for all AFL reserves players waiting to break into senior teams, said Sydney Swans reserves coach Jared Crouch.

Morton, who was drafted from Richmond at the end of 2011, played the majority of the 2012 season in the reserves, kicking over 70 goals before starring for the seniors in the AFL Finals Series.

The 26-year-old forward kicked two goals in the Qualifying Final victory over the Adelaide Crows before booting two more in the Grand Final triumph against Hawthorn.

“It’s a great example for younger players, you may get an opportunity in Round 1 or you may get an opportunity in round 22,” said Crouch.

“What you’ve got to make sure you’re doing is working hard and making sure whenever that opportunity presents itself that you take it.

“From a personal perspective I’m so incredibly happy that Mitch Morton is an AFL Premiership player.”

With the anterior cruciate ligament injury to Sydney Swans defender Alex Johnson in the NAB Cup last weekend there could be an opportunity for reserves players to make the step up to John Longmire’s senior squad this season.

“We’ve already seen in this short pre-season injuries to senior players so some of the young guys who were playing NEAFL football last year may get a chance to play senior football early on,” said Crouch at the NEAFL Eastern Conference season launch this week.

“In terms of us it’s about having the players play structurally to a game plan John Longmire is happy with and if there are injuries we can happily take a player out, as with a Mitch Morton example, and they would fit comfortably in the senior side.”

The Sydney Swans reserves kick off their NEAFL Eastern season at ANZ Stadium on March 30 against UWS GIANTS.

The match will be a curtain raiser to the round one AFL clash between the Swans and GWS GIANTS.

Click here to get your tickets for the match at ANZ Stadium.