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Jordan McArdle
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17 Jun 2026
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West Perth product and former AAMI WA Football State 18s Boys midfielder Sam Swadling is the latest West Aussie to be picked for his AFL debut this weekend.
The prolific ball magnet has been named in Collingwood’s side for Saturday’s clash against Port Adelaide at the MCG.
Swadling follows in the footsteps of fellow West Aussies Jacob Farrow (Essendon), Mitch Edwards (Geelong), Luker Kentfield (Melbourne), Michael Sellwood (Western Bulldogs), Cody Curtin, Zane Zakostelsky (Brisbane Lions), Charlie Banfield (St Kilda), Mitch Zadow (Port Adelaide) and Milan Murdock (West Coast) in making his AFL debut this season.
Swadling was rewarded for his strong run of form for the Magpies’ VFL side, averaging 27 disposals including a 40-possession, one-goal performance against Sydney in Round 7.
The talented teenager was taking with pick 37 in last year’s AFL National Draft after racking up around 35 disposals per game in the EGT WAFL Colts in 2025 for West Perth.
He achieved a lot in a breakout year, earning AFL Under-18s All-Australian selection and getting a decent run in the Falcons’ senior side.
Remarkably, the emerging midfielder won the Falcons’ colts fairest-and-best award from just seven home-and-away appearances, in a sign of his dominance.
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