Thanks Thanks:  2
Likes Likes:  6
Results 1 to 6 of 6
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Wherever the dogs are playing
    Posts
    60,862
    Post Thanks / Like

    Dude, Sweet: Jordon finds his ride

    Link



    It’s been a longer journey to the main event than Jordon Sweet perhaps expected.

    But now that he’s reached his destination, he’s been able to appreciate the ride there.

    The rookie ruckman has done it the hard way.

    Overlooked on draft night originally, the South Australian won a SANFL premiership with North Adelaide before getting the call-up from the Western Bulldogs.

    A one-year rookie deal, with no guarantees.

    The debut didn’t come in 2019, but the promise of another year on the list did. The debut didn’t come that year either.

    But just as Sweet was perhaps wondering if it an AFL debut would come, with the rising stocks of Tim English and the recruitment of veteran Stefan Martin, it did.

    The now 23-year-old finally got his chance in round five against the Gold Coast Suns, tasting a win in his first game at the level.

    With both Martin and English sidelined the past fortnight, he’s stepped back into the team – and stepped up – in big wins against Carlton and Port Adelaide.

    “I’m enjoying it, every week’s a new challenge,” Sweet told westernbulldogs.com.au.

    “There’s been so many learning curves.

    “My first year, coming in as a sort of mature-aged player, a 20-year-old, thinking I could play games. But I probably wasn’t really ready.

    “My second year, the hub was different… I just wanted a chance.

    “It was tough, but I had to bide my time and I learned a lot.”

    When Sweet got his chance this year, he knew he was ready.

    And while he knew he may have to bide his time with Martin coming in, it was the opportunity to work with the former Melbourne and Brisbane Lions ruckman that had him feeling well-equipped to play AFL football.

    “Picking up Stef at the end of the year… he’s taught me so much already,” Sweet said.

    “In the pre-season, his hunt after stoppages was unreal. He’s incredible.

    “Us three try to get together as much as we can, scope out who we’re playing against. How to try to expose them.

    “Stef’s been great, he’s someone I can lean on and he’s really helping me which I’m very grateful for.”

    Sweet’s journey came almost full circle on the weekend.

    He grew up a Power supporter – and competed with their ruckman, Pete Ladhams, at every step along their junior pathway.

    Only a couple of years ago, he’d have been in the stands at Adelaide Oval, with a scarf stretched above his head singing along to INXS classic, Never Tear Us Apart.

    “It was very nerve-wracking, running out at home,” Sweet said.

    “But it was great. I probably didn’t really take it in as well as I should have.


    “I didn’t look around, but I don’t know whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing. I was too focused on the game to soak it in.”


    That focus has been well-received by his teammates and coaches.


    “We’ve been really happy with Jordon,” senior coach Luke Beveridge said, earlier this week.


    “He’s only three games into his career now, and he was a bit unlucky to go out of the team after the Gold Coast game earlier in the year, he did well.


    “The last couple of weeks he’s performed extremely well for us, in his capacity as a three-game player.


    “He’s doing similar things to what Stef was doing at the start of the year, providing us some predictability and that’s what we’re always after. It just gives us that stability we probably haven’t had in the past.”


    Surrounded by a star-studded midfield group, it’s Jack Macrae who’s helped Sweet feel at home quickly.


    The two-time All Australian has been known to keep a low profile, but has been only too happy to help.


    “’Nator’ is giving me plenty, which is great… it’s very rare, so I’m taking every bit of it,” Sweet said.


    “He’s a good friend, he’s been very supportive. On the field, he’s always trying to pump me up, he’s my number one supporter I reckon… he’s even gone past Juliet, my girlfriend.”


    His confidence is growing at the level week by week.


    But Sweet says for him it’s about sticking to the basics.


    “Keep it simple, have fun,” he said.


    “(It’s about) helping my teammates and being someone they love playing with.”


    And if Sweet can keep doing that, maybe this is just the start of his journey, and the best part of the ride is still to come.
    FFC: Established 1883

    Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.

  2. Thanks GVGjr, azabob thanked for this post
  3. #2
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Shanghai
    Posts
    9,426
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Dude, Sweet: Jordon finds his ride

    And has a good twitch stream according to 'roaming Talyor Duryea.'

    Congratulations Sweety.
    You don't develop courage by being happy in your relationships every day. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity. ― Epicurus

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Warragul
    Posts
    9,529
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Dude, Sweet: Jordon finds his ride

    Quote Originally Posted by Ghost Dog View Post
    And has a good twitch stream according to 'roaming Talyor Duryea.'

    Congratulations Sweety.
    Did you just call BAD Sweety?

  5. #4
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Hillside. (carn the sharks)
    Posts
    3,906
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Dude, Sweet: Jordon finds his ride

    What does mine say- Dude!
    What about mine- Sweet!

    Love it!!

    For those who don't know what I'm on about, its a quote from the movie "Dude where's my car". That's what the title of the article is alluding to
    They've done studies you know, 60% of the time, it works every time!
    Brian Fantana.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    27,890
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Dude, Sweet: Jordon finds his ride

    Quote Originally Posted by Axe Man View Post
    Did you just call BAD Sweety?
    This is getting like the early '80s when Terry Love was playing with us. Standing in the outer and yelling "good effort Love" would get some funny looks.
    Have you been reading those Roddy Doyle books again, Dougal!?


    I have, yeah Ted, you big gobshite

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    9,574
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Dude, Sweet: Jordon finds his ride

    What’s the genesis of Macrae being called “Nator”?

    Terminator? Haven’t heard it before.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •