Sport
16 February, 2023
Maryborough signs experienced BFNL mid Joel Swatton
Maryborough playing-coach Coby Perry has made his first big splash across the Bendigo Football Netball League (BFNL), signing experienced midfielder Joel Swatton from South Bendigo. Swatton will arrive at the Magpies as the club’s new midfield and...
Maryborough playing-coach Coby Perry has made his first big splash across the Bendigo Football Netball League (BFNL), signing experienced midfielder Joel Swatton from South Bendigo.
Swatton will arrive at the Magpies as the club’s new midfield and strength and conditioning coach, having previously played 70 senior games for the Bloods, while also playing two seasons with the Bendigo Pioneers in 2012 and 2013.
The opportunity to make an impact on and off the field for Swatton was one that was too good to turn down.
“It was a massive decision, and one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. It was tough, but I guess the opportunity to be the strength and conditioning coach and a midfield coach was what got me over the line to Maryborough. I’ve had a few injury-prone years, which has played on my mind a little bit, so having the opportunity to help in a non-playing capacity helped convince me to go to Maryborough, as well as the opportunity to develop playing skills and have something that will last long beyond my playing career,” he said.
Swatton, who was flanked by Perry and senior assistant Matt Johnston for the announcement, said having those two at the forefront of discussions made the decision to sign with the Magpies much easier.
“I’ve played against Coby and Matt a fair few times over the years. They knew what kind of player they were going to get,” he said.
“Maryborough are well on the track to developing a really good culture and a good team of people. That was more or less the discussions around that more than the football aspect.
“It’s really important to have good people around the club, and that’s what they want to build — a really professional environment for the team.”
While Swatton said the decision to leave South Bendigo was difficult in the nature of leaving many friendships that he’s made in his decade-long stint, he’s looking forward to imparting his knowledge on the Magpies’ impressionable young list.
“It was pretty tough. Obviously, I have a lot of great mates at South, and I’ve seen a lot of players go through there as well. The club has changed over the years since I’ve been there. But I have been really good mates with all of them, particularly Nathan Horbury, the coach. I had good conversations with him, and he was really supportive,” he said.
“I didn’t expect anything less because they are such quality people, but it’s something that you get at local footy clubs. At the end of the day, footy is just a game — if you can develop people off the field, and make good people in and out of the club, that’s the way to go. South have been doing that as well, putting good people who can develop and grow, so they were happy for me to go and do that at Maryborough.”
Swatton will begin training with the club next week, and is looking forward to getting to work at the Magpies.
“Hopefully people can come along and recognise the exciting talent the club has coming through at the moment. We can play some exciting footy and be good to watch. I’ll compete the best I can and I’m just looking forward to having a run and meeting the boys,” he said.
Perry said he was excited to have a player of Swatton’s quality on and off the field.
“I’m really pumped to have Joel on board. He’s a first-class player and person, so to have him at Maryborough is exciting for the young players coming through,” he said.
“To have him come on board as not only a player, but as a midfield coach and a strength and conditioning coach is fantastic for where we are at as a club. He will be very beneficial in developing players and having them in the right environment to perform.”