Yarrawonga’s two AFL/VFL footballers James Jordon and Caleb Mitchell are in serious pre season training with the Sydney Swans.
Jordon is part of a quartet of new recruits at Sydney who are going all-in on a premiership assault following their 2022 grand final appearance.
He joins Collingwood onballer Taylor Adams, former Collingwood and Melbourne ruckman Brodie Grundy and former Fremantle and Western Bulldog premiership player Joel Hamling.
Jordon, who turns 23-years-of-age today, has moved from Melbourne where he played 65 games, including being part of Melbourne’s 2012 premiership team.
The Swans have a wing vacancy but the former Pigeons’ player is expected to be used in a flexible manner as a half-forward and in midfield.
“That’s something I’m really looking forward to,” Jordon said. “I feel like in 2022 I had a really strong year playing on the wing. That gave me a lot of confidence that I can be a good player at the level. Then last year I obviously played a bit more inside and was thrown around a bit more.”
Jordon’s switch to Sydney has led to a reunion with Swans midfielder James Rowbottom, his former Oakleigh Chargers teammate who was drafted eight picks ahead of him in 2018.
“It makes it a lot easier when you have that sort of connection there. Although we didn’t play a heap of footy together at Oakleigh, it was just very good knowing someone that was already up here,” he said.
“He’s already a good mate of mine, we get along really well and I’m just looking forward to getting to know him and a lot of the other boys a lot better.
“I’m settling in really well, all the boys have made the transition very easy,” Jordon said.
“It took me some time to get my bearings of where everything is in Sydney but it’s such a good lifestyle up here and I’m really enjoying it.
“Training has been pretty solid but I’m loving it and Horse (Longmire) has been great. He has made it really easy to come in straight away and get to work as well as being there to help with anything!”
Before heading into his sixth year in the AFL system, Jordon is looking forward to a short break and being able to head back to Yarrawonga.
“We finished up on Friday, December 15 and go back in early Jan so we get a good break to come home for Christmas and catch up with the family and friends,” Jordon said.
The Sydney Swans also recruited Caleb Mitchell of the Murray Bushrangers with pick 40 of the 2022 NAB AFL Draft. After a strong 2022 season in the NAB League Mitchell was selected for Vic Country in the National Championships.
His first taste of senior footy arrived as he represented the Swans in the 2023 VFL competition, enjoying standout performances in Round 7 against Collingwood with 24 disposals and against Essendon with 24 disposals and six tackles.
A tall wing/midfielder with a booming left foot, Mitchell does not mind dropping into the backline.
“Although the first year was challenging with glandular fever for a good part of the season, I gained lots of experience in understanding what it takes to be a professional athlete,” Mitchell said.
“Sydney is a fantastic part of the world and I’m very grateful to be able to live in a nice area near the eastern beaches.
“To be able to work with Horse and hear firsthand his knowledge of football is something that I feel is a huge advantage for all of us players, but more importantly he has a gift to connect with people and always makes you feel valued.
“Our three week pre-Chrissy block of training finished up on Friday 15 and we go back Sunday Jan 7 so I’ll spend a few days in Yarra before going down to Geelong for Chrissy.”
Mitchell is hopeful after spending a year in Sydney under the AFL system, that he may be able to debut in 2024.
“A year down being in the system I definitely feel fitter and stronger than I previously have and I’m hopeful this allows me to play good footy and constantly improve,” Mitchell said.
“Hopefully off the back of that I can start knocking on the door of the senior side.”
Jordon is a walk up start to play round 1 in 2024. With continued improvement, Mitchell hopefully won’t be far behind. It would be wonderful to see the former Yarrawonga players in the same senior time, taking our minds back to the Joel Smith/Ben Dixon days at Hawthorn.