Twelve months ago making the Vic Metro squad was only a dream for Calder Cannons’ Adam Sweid.
An ACL injury meant he spent much of last season on the sidelines before being part of Pascoe Vale’s under-18.5 Essendon District Football League grand final side.
A brilliant start to the Coates Talent League season has seen Sweid named as one of five Cannons’ named in the Vic Metro under-18 squad.
“It is really good,” he said. “I’m happy with how I’ve trained over the last two to three months.
“It has been a good experience, learning a lot. It has been good.”
Sweid said he knew his potential on the football field and had trained pretty hard, but thought that making Vic Metro was a stretch from how far back he was coming from.
He said it wasn’t easy to get to this point.
“I put in my mind that if I could have a good month before Metro starts, I can give myself a chance and Cannons will provide that for me.
“Cannons have looked after me. I’ve trained hard and had great teammates around me, they have been extremely positive towards my comeback.
“I had a lot of mental thoughts. They looked after me and treated me well.”
Sweid said while he was confident that he would have a good start to the season, he has exceeded his own expectations.
He said the first practice match and round one and having a great start, he knew that he would be able to show his skills for day dot.
Sweid said he was keen to continue to showcase his talent for Vic Metro.
“Obviously everyone wants to get drafted and get to the highest level,” he said. “My goal is to showcase my talent, show what I’m good for and show my traits.
“Learn things with new mates. Everyone is different and all come from different backgrounds and different cultures.”
Sweid said a few years ago he was dreaming of being drafted, now it could be a reality.
He said the process goes pretty quick and he thinks that he is ready for it.
“I trust the work I’ve done, I’ve worked hard,” he said. “I have to stay consistent and hopefully get on a list.”
Sweid started football when he was just six when his mum wanted him to get out and get active and he has never stopped.
He played at Hadfield before moving to Pascoe Vale to play at a higher level.
Sweid has also been part of Essendon’s Next Generation Academy, which means the Bombers can bid on him at draft time.
“My dad is originally from Lebanon and moved here when he got married to my mum,” he said.
“Extremely grateful for. The opportunities I get with Essendon is amazing, I get to train with the Essendon squad once a week.
“To be in that environment with AFL culture and get to be involved with an AFL organisation which is nice.
“My parents as well, they are the reason I’m at Essendon.”
Sweid is joined in the squad by Hussien El Achkar, who is also part of the Vic Metro squad.
Former Cannons Isaac Kako and Jayden Nguyen were picked by the Bombers through the NGA last year
Sweid said they were very close with the pair and talk about how the process feels.
He said after the national championships, he wants to help the Cannons win a premiership.
