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Matt Windley
From: Herald Sun
December 29, 2010
ANDREJS Everitt says Sydney's ability to turn AFL recyclables into superstars was a major factor behind him wanting to become a Swan.
As the Western Bulldogs did their best to find Everitt a new home after another season spent mostly in the VFL, the 21-year-old said Sydney's lifestyle and the club's culture helped him make up his mind.
"Sydney was pretty much my first preference," he said.
"I had a couple of days up here getting to know the city a bit better. I had (coach) John Longmire take me around for a day and show me the ropes, which was good.
"What sort of helped the decision was seeing the likes of Shane Mumford and Benny McGlynn and also Josh Kennedy go up there and play really well.
"They know what players they need and obviously they needed a defender, so they came after me and I was lucky enough for it to work out."
Despite his undoubted potential, the defender managed only 29 senior games after being drafted by the Bulldogs with pick No. 11 in 2006.
But after being involved in a trade that saw him swap homes with Patrick Veszpremi, Everitt said there were no hard feelings towards his old club.
"Definitely not," he said.
"Me and Patty were in the same position, we both just wanted a fresh start and it sort of worked out well.
"There's definitely no bad blood between us, at all. It was my decision, I needed a fresh start and the coaches and everyone were supportive of that."
The Everitt-Veszpremi trade shapes as a win-win for both players and clubs.
Longmire said: "Patty was looking for another opportunity in Melbourne and Andrejs was a similar case, looking for more game time in Sydney.
"It's pretty hard to judge it initially, but hopefully you look back in a few years time and both players had had good AFL careers."
The new coach plans to use Everitt in defence.
"We see him playing across half back," Longmire said.
"We think his versatility will be important for us, he's a player that can play on the talls and the smalls and really set up across that part of the ground.
"Obviously he can defend, but we want him to be able to give us that rebound as well. He will really add to the depth in that defensive group we've got down there."
Andrejs is not the first Everitt to frequent Sydney's shores after 'Spida' Everitt spent seasons 2007-08 as a Swan.
Everitt said he had spoken to his older brother about the city and the club before deciding to move.
"He (Spida) just talked to me before I got traded there and gave me a rundown of the club," he said.
"He said that I would really enjoy it up here and said it was my sort of scene, which was really good to hear from him. He's been very supportive of the move."
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From: Herald Sun
December 29, 2010
ANDREJS Everitt says Sydney's ability to turn AFL recyclables into superstars was a major factor behind him wanting to become a Swan.
As the Western Bulldogs did their best to find Everitt a new home after another season spent mostly in the VFL, the 21-year-old said Sydney's lifestyle and the club's culture helped him make up his mind.
"Sydney was pretty much my first preference," he said.
"I had a couple of days up here getting to know the city a bit better. I had (coach) John Longmire take me around for a day and show me the ropes, which was good.
"What sort of helped the decision was seeing the likes of Shane Mumford and Benny McGlynn and also Josh Kennedy go up there and play really well.
"They know what players they need and obviously they needed a defender, so they came after me and I was lucky enough for it to work out."
Despite his undoubted potential, the defender managed only 29 senior games after being drafted by the Bulldogs with pick No. 11 in 2006.
But after being involved in a trade that saw him swap homes with Patrick Veszpremi, Everitt said there were no hard feelings towards his old club.
"Definitely not," he said.
"Me and Patty were in the same position, we both just wanted a fresh start and it sort of worked out well.
"There's definitely no bad blood between us, at all. It was my decision, I needed a fresh start and the coaches and everyone were supportive of that."
The Everitt-Veszpremi trade shapes as a win-win for both players and clubs.
Longmire said: "Patty was looking for another opportunity in Melbourne and Andrejs was a similar case, looking for more game time in Sydney.
"It's pretty hard to judge it initially, but hopefully you look back in a few years time and both players had had good AFL careers."
The new coach plans to use Everitt in defence.
"We see him playing across half back," Longmire said.
"We think his versatility will be important for us, he's a player that can play on the talls and the smalls and really set up across that part of the ground.
"Obviously he can defend, but we want him to be able to give us that rebound as well. He will really add to the depth in that defensive group we've got down there."
Andrejs is not the first Everitt to frequent Sydney's shores after 'Spida' Everitt spent seasons 2007-08 as a Swan.
Everitt said he had spoken to his older brother about the city and the club before deciding to move.
"He (Spida) just talked to me before I got traded there and gave me a rundown of the club," he said.
"He said that I would really enjoy it up here and said it was my sort of scene, which was really good to hear from him. He's been very supportive of the move."
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