Sydney rookie Braeden Campbell has been backed to surpass the stellar debut season Gold Coast gun Matt Rowell had last year, with the Swans teenager touted as arguably the best kick in the league.
Campbell joined the Swans via the club's Academy with the fifth overall pick of the 2020 AFL Draft, the second consecutive selection Sydney landed with promising key forward Logan McDonald taken one spot earlier.
Pick No.5 - @sydneyswans have matched Hawthorn's bid for Braeden Campbell (Sydney Academy).
Talk about having lethal skills! #AFLDraft pic.twitter.com/00mAB7HoRK
— AFL (@AFL) December 9, 2020
It was an impressive draft haul for the Swans, with Campbell already starting to gain some serious traction ahead of his first year in the system.
Speaking onย SEN,ย Tim Watson revealed a close source has tipped Campbell to have a sensational opening campaign, so much so they believe it will surpass that of Rowell's dominant debut season of 2020.
While only playing the five matches due to a season-ending shoulder injury, Rowell dominated in the opening four matches of his career, amassing three best-on-ground performances.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Watson and fellow host Garry Lyon spoke on the comments made by the former's close source, giving Campbell plenty of praise.
โYou said that your man said that he has found a player that he thinks is better than Matthew Rowell," Lyon said.
Watson responded by saying his source believes Campbell "will have more impact in his first season than Matthew Rowell. Thatโs if he stays on his feet.
โHeโs watched this kid for a while. This is 100 per cent fair dinkum.
โHe said that he will play across half-back for Sydney, his name is Braeden Campbell, and somebody up there said that he is the best kick that he has seen in the AFL.
โAnd he may be considered one of the best kicks himself that weโve ever seen.โ
Matt Rendell:
The Swans are going to get in Braeden Campbell, a local player who is probably the best kick I've seen in the draft ever. A magnificent looking left foot kick, it's poetry in motion. Can kick it 60, low and hard.
— AFL Trade Radio (@traderadio) October 28, 2020
Rowell averaged 21.25 possessions per match and booted six goals across his opening four games, leading the Suns to a 3-1 start in the opening month of their 2020 campaign.
The dominant midfielder is a short-priced favourite to take out the 2021 AFL Rising Star Award.
