Rampe reaps rewards
This article first appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald
By David Sygall
A couple of years ago Dane Rampe was a beer-drinking Swans supporter somewhere up in the grandstand. On Friday night, he did a lap of honour with his teammates after playing in their win over Carlton.
Now, after just 11 senior matches, his medium-term future is assured after agreeing to terms on a two-year contract that will keep him a Swan until the end of 2015.
It is the ultimate reward for a rookie list player who was elevated to cover for injury and slotted into the premiers’ defence like he’d always belonged.
And, as a Clovelly boy raised on soccer and basketball, his story is a welcome free kick for the AFL.
“I’m really proud to have got here through a different path,” Rampe said at the Swans recovery on Saturday. “When I was coming through there was really no AFL around. I played in just a round robin thing on a Friday night, which a few of the rugby guys at school used to play in, a scout there asked me to start training with a Sydney rep team and it just went from there.”
After high school, Rampe spent a tough two seasons in Melbourne with VFL side Williamstown, but failed to entice the Western Bulldogs. He came home and won player of the season in the Sydney league.
The Swans signed him and his senior opportunity came quickly when Alex Johnson suffered a season-ending knee injury in March.
“A lot of footy is hard work and determination, but it also takes a little stroke of luck every now and then,” Rampe said. “They needed a half backman coming into this year’s draft and then a few injuries happened and I took my chance. That’s why you’ve got to be ready because you might only get one chance. That’s what I’m most proud of, just taking my opportunity.”
Rampe used the lessons he’d learnt from his difficult Melbourne experience, when he put too much pressure on himself to succeed.
“I came back with my tail between my legs a bit and just wanted to play footy for fun again. The biggest lesson was that I learnt about work-life balance. Coming back to Sydney, I had all my mates around me again, my family, I had so much support. My mind was at ease and I’d learnt when to switch on or off. When I came to the Swans I just took the same sort of approach.
“It’s been a whirlwind. I couldn’t thank the Swans enough for the opportunity they’ve given me. I just keep trying to repay their faith. I knew I was good enough, but it was just about getting that chance.”