Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick reveals retiring club champion David Swallow will play finals
Gold Coast’s much-loved warrior is set to remove one of footy’s most unwanted records with David Swallow a confirmed in for their historic elimination final against Fremantle.
An inaugural Sun and former No.1 pick, Swallow had played a record 247 games without a final but will finally be removed from the top of that list with coach Damien Hardwick, revealing he will line up agaisnt Fremantle.
“The man will play,” he said on AFL360.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“We’re not giving him a game, he’s earned a game, he’s been an outstanding contributor to our football club.”
Swallow has been with the Suns from the very start, and was a member of their VFL team in 2010 before the club officially joined the AFL the following year.
He was the club’s No.1 draft pick in 2010, then made his AFL debut in Round 2, 2011, the Suns’ inaugural AFL match against Carlton at the Gabba.
Earlier on Tuesday, he announced his retirement at season’s end, expressing pride over what he saw as a new beginning at the club.
“I firstly want to say how thankful I am to the footy club and everyone who’s here today, and all the people that have come before me,” Swallow said.
“This club gave me a chance a long time ago. I’ll forever be indebted to the SUNS and am so thankful for the opportunities this club has afforded me and my family.
“I’ve spent my whole adult life here, had two beautiful kids in that time and share a lot of wonderful memories with so many people.
“We’ve got the biggest game in the club’s history this weekend, and I feel like it’s just the beginning for us. I’ve waited my whole career to get to this point, and I’m proud to still be here and get to be a part of that.
“It’s just the beginning for this team and this club.”
With Swallow on the fringes at the Suns and working his way back from injury, many had predicted that Swallow would be a heartbreak story for the finals.
Hardwick admitted there was plenty of heart behind the call, but insists there is a method to the madness, saying the wet conditions predicted for Saturday night played their part.
“When there’s 25 mills of rain, there’s one man I want out there, and that’s David Swallow,” Hardwick said.
“He’s earned the right to play a finals game, and we want to see him play a couple more as well.
“Emotion can go one of two ways, it can go over the top or inspire, and David’s journey is nothing but inspiring, and our players can only benefit from that.”
