WEST Perth midfielder-forward Sam Swadling came into season 2025 with high hopes after a consistent bottom-age campaign. He averaged 19.4 disposals and kicked 15 goals across 16 WAFL Colts games last year, and has immediately built on those numbers as a top-ager.

>> SCROLL to see Swadling’s highlights

The 187cm prospect amassed 36 touches and five marks in the Falcons’ win over Perth last week, backing that up with another 30 disposals, seven tackles and a goal against Subiaco on Saturday. A smooth-moving talent, Swadling is our Player Focus for Round 3.

>> WAFL Colts: Round 3 recap | Round 3 Scouting Notes

West PerthMidfielder-Forward

Sam Swadling

Height: 187cm

Weight: -

DOB: 16-01-2007

PLAYER FOCUS

2025 WAFL Colts: Round 3
Subiaco 8.3 (51) def. by West Perth 13.7 (85)

#26 Sam Swadling (West Perth)
Stats: 30 disposals (16 kicks, 14 handballs), 3 marks, 7 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal

FIRST QUARTER:

Swadling made a prominent start in the Falcons’ engine room, having little trouble getting his hands on the ball. He roamed around the ground in laconic fashion, only really shifting to a higher gear when the opportunity to take possession or lay a tackle came about.

While he steadily tracked the play into his side’s defensive half, Swadling’s transitional running and ability to flick the switch quickly on turnover presents as an area for improvement. Conversely, he demanded the footy and found space at will, showing good IQ to know where his next possession would come.

With ball in hand, Swadling showcased smooth movement and a handy knack for buying time with deft handball fakes. He could perhaps drive his legs more often to prevent putting too much air on his kicks off one or two steps, but used his size well to lay strong wrap-up tackles.

SECOND QUARTER:

Swadling produced a couple of moments of class in the second quarter. His best was a zig and zag to make his opponent look foolish in the corridor before turning onto his right foot to spear a pass wide. He also positioned expertly to rove a defensive 50 stoppage before baulking and stepping to clear by foot.

While not a massive contested ball or stoppage dominant player in the first half – despite his big frame and clean hands – Swadling showed he knew when to peel off into space and receive as the secondary possession-getter. He maintained his tackle output too, including a robust holding-the-ball effort.

Swadling’s impact extended to the scoreboard, although only for a behind after marking in the pocket. He read the play well to react before his opponent and mark out the back of the intended contest. Attending around half the centre bounces, Swadling also spent a good amount of time up forward.

THIRD QUARTER:

There’s a belief that Swadling is better off as a forward and he started the second half there. It took him next to no time to impact, positioning one-out in the goalsquare where he used his body to take a strong contested mark before converting the goal within the opening two minutes of term three.

The Falcons cleared out their forward 50 to allow Swadling to get dangerous one-on-one. His early goal was the only real opportunity that came his way, although the move out of midfield coincided with West Perth booting four goals to one for the quarter in the face off Subiaco’s ill-discipline.

Swadling moved back into midfield to finish the term but wasn’t as clean or prolific as the first half. The heat of the contest and subsequent perceived pressure meant he had to dispose of the ball a little quicker, and showing the same poise in possession was difficult.

FOURTH QUARTER:

Swadling was back starting in the middle as a permanent fixture on-ball and produced some moments of great poise. He played in a very energy efficient style, able to go at his own tempo with ball in hand and hold out on releasing it hastily. That allowed him to make better decisions.

One of his best moments came as he peeled off out the front of a centre bounce to receive the handball, run his measure, and hit Harvey Spawton-Guy lace out for a goal assist. Swadling’s lateral movement got him out of tight spots, though he could have opted to use his left foot to avoid having to wheel around to his right each time. That may get him into trouble at higher-paced levels.

SUMMARY

It’s clear that Swadling is capable of being a dominant player at Colts level, though not in the usual way for a 187cm midfielder. He wasn’t shown to be a prominent contested ball winner over the weekend but can pick off targets when released into space, and accumulated possessions as a roaming centreman.

He times his runs well and makes up for a lack of straight-line speed with smarts and poise, often demanding the ball off teammates. Compounding Swadling’s impact is his ability to go forward, offering a dangerous option one-out inside 50. Some recruiters believe he is more suited to the attacking third.

Swadling has traits which will see him viewed as draftable, though can certainly improve in a range of areas. His tackling is strong, but his spread from the contest and transition running could be better – especially if he isn’t going to be the primary ball winner. He needs to shift gears more often.

That, perhaps, is why he could end up translating his class to a role up forward. Possessing a strong frame and good hands, Swadling is a difficult matchup. His movement sparks creativity, so if he can continue to make things happen under greater pressure and speed at representative level, he will be noticed.