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.
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 on SEN, 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.
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Disposals
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Watson and fellow host Garry Lyon spoke on the comments made by the former's close source, giving Campbell plenty of praise.
“You 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. That’s if he stays on his feet.
“He’s watched this kid for a while. This is 100 per cent fair dinkum.
“He 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.
“And he may be considered one of the best kicks himself that we’ve ever seen.”
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.