Player Watch #16 Braeden Campbell

[Kennedy Parker]

Braeden Campbell
Braeden Campbell was drafted with the fifth overall pick of the 2020 AFL Draft and has enjoyed an exciting start to life as a Swan. Recruited from Pennant Hills Demons, Campbell is revered for his brilliant versatility and exceptional left-foot kick. He made his AFL debut in Round 1 of the 2021 season and was voted as the Round 2 NAB Rising Star nominee after recording 25 disposals and six marks against the Adelaide Crows. The 21-year-old has improved year on year missing just one match in 2023 and set several career-best performances in the process.
Pick 5

Braeden Campbell | AFL

Follow Braeden Campbell's progress through AFL

www.sydneyswans.com.au

 

[BloodySwan]

Re-signs until 2028

Great stuff, the kid had the talent to really be something. Just needs to get it all to click

 

[hairy biker]

Re-signs until 2028

I suppose there always has to be the doubter so I'll take that role in this instance.

I know I should be happy, home grown talent, pick 5 in the draft, 23 games last year (71 overall), turns 23 in a week, but I've got to say a 4 year contract until the end of 2028 (was due to come out of contract at end of this season) just seems overkill for what he's delivered to date.

Certainly an argument that he needs to be settled in a spot (fwd half for me) but I'm just not sure on his output so far that he's worthy of a contact of that length.

I guess the adage 'time will tell' comes to mind.

PS The instagram post is a little ambiguous 're-signs until 2028' but the Swans website makes it clear that;
Exciting utility Braeden Campbell has recommitted to the Sydney Swans for a further three seasons, keeping him in the red and white until at least the end of 2028.

 

[Kiama Chris]

I guess there always has to be the naysayer so I'll take that role in this instance.

I know I should be happy, home grown talent, pick 5 in the draft, 23 games last year (71 overall), turns 23 in a week, but I've got to say a 4 year contract until the end of 2028 (was due to come out of contract at end of this season) just seems overkill for what he's delivered to date.

Certainly an argument that he needs to be settled in a spot (fwd half for me) but I'm just not sure on his output to date that he's worthy of a contact of that length.

I guess the adage 'time will tell' comes to mind.

PS The instagram post is a little ambiguous 're-signs until 2028' but the Swans website makes it clear that;
Exciting utility Braeden Campbell has recommitted to the Sydney Swans for a further three seasons, keeping him in the red and white until at least the end of 2028.

Should have read "an additional three seasons". I agree that Braeden has gotten by mostly on potential with flashes of brilliance and I too would like to see him settled into his best suited position and delivering consistently.
His best footy is good enough, just not often enough.

 

[Wheresbuddy]

I thought last year was an improvement with better consistency and impact. This was due to him playing more in the front half which best suits him. Maybe BJ is the one to make the jump this year? Here's hoping

 

[Adnico26Parker]

 

[Nuggetz]

He's kicking 40 goals this year

 

[ashep]

I suppose there always has to be the doubter so I'll take that role in this instance.

I know I should be happy, home grown talent, pick 5 in the draft, 23 games last year (71 overall), turns 23 in a week, but I've got to say a 4 year contract until the end of 2028 (was due to come out of contract at end of this season) just seems overkill for what he's delivered to date.

Certainly an argument that he needs to be settled in a spot (fwd half for me) but I'm just not sure on his output so far that he's worthy of a contact of that length.

I guess the adage 'time will tell' comes to mind.

PS The instagram post is a little ambiguous 're-signs until 2028' but the Swans website makes it clear that;
Exciting utility Braeden Campbell has recommitted to the Sydney Swans for a further three seasons, keeping him in the red and white until at least the end of 2028.

I'm really happy with the signing but I think this is an entirely reasonable take.

His best is definitely good enough. It's up to Cox and the rest of the staff to get him settled in a role and maximize what he can do.

 

[Superstar swan]

Awesome stuff. This should be on a pretty team friendly contract aswell. Locks him into his peak , and should be on the cheaper side as hasn’t reached sky highs yet.

 

[bedford]

Not happy due to his poor return so far , if he wasn't a Sydney boy would he get the same chances , also with him and Wayward there is limited output at times , at least the later is a good kick AT goal.
Hope he can prove me wrong

 

[BloodySwan]

I don't think he's that far off from making an impact. Reckon he'll have a big year in 2025

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Forgot what a good year he had in 2023

 

[strauchanie59]

Coaches need to stop stunting his development and confidence by sticking him in one spot for a good chunk of the season. Seems to always be the first out, first back in despite some decent form.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Coaches need to stop stunting his development and confidence by sticking him in one spot for a good chunk of the season. Seems to always be the first out, first back in despite some decent form.

If they gave him as many chances as they gave say Bell we would know more about Campbell

 

[BloodySwan]

Coaches need to stop stunting his development and confidence by sticking him in one spot for a good chunk of the season. Seems to always be the first out, first back in despite some decent form.

hard disagree, he's played most of his career in defence. Spent 2 solid seasons there before moving upfield a little buit. Has spent about 2/3 of his games in defence, with the other 3rd spent mostly on the wing. Has had a lot of opportunity and stability

 

[BloodySwan]

If they gave him as many chances as they gave say Bell we would know more about Campbell

Bell, 28 AFL games over 4 seasons
Campbell, 71 games over 4 seasons

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Bell, 28 AFL games over 4 seasons
Campbell, 71 games over 4 seasons

Sorry i forgot to add without being dropped and used in literally every position

 

[strauchanie59]

hard disagree, he's played most of his career in defence. Spent 2 solid seasons there before moving upfield a little buit. Has spent about 2/3 of his games in defence, with the other 3rd spent mostly on the wing. Has had a lot of opportunity and stability

Since his debut, he's been pigeonholed as a lockdown small defender, which is fine for the first season or two, but it became clear that it wasn't going to work out there long-term. His best assets are his burst of speed, agility and his booming left foot, none of which are generally shown by small defenders.

I would even say that he should've been on the wing in 2022/23 when Stephens was getting decent game-time there. I think now his best position going forward is a small forward with small bursts in the midfield.

 

[Bloods86]

hard disagree, he's played most of his career in defence. Spent 2 solid seasons there before moving upfield a little buit. Has spent about 2/3 of his games in defence, with the other 3rd spent mostly on the wing. Has had a lot of opportunity and stability

And pretty much none of it in his actual positions. Outside mid/half forward.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

 

[bedford]

Coaches need to stop stunting his development and confidence by sticking him in one spot for a good chunk of the season. Seems to always be the first out, first back in despite some decent form.

You don't just go into a set position when starting out , you have to earn a spot and who in the forward line would he replace when he started

 

[bedford]

Bell, 28 AFL games over 4 seasons
Campbell, 71 games over 4 seasons

But ding dong was lucky to play that many ordinary games

 

[caesar88]

I suppose I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, but I dunno how I feel about this re-signing. I feel like this might not've been the best thing for either player or club. I still believe in Campbell so hope he goes well.

Edit: I see Hairy's already touched on this above.

 

[SGBeach]

Great news
Contract stress is over for him, so full focus on footy
Improved every year. Campbell is an interesting one to watch develop, He's got truck loads of talent, just seems to have needed extra time to emotionally mature
Spent his apprenticeship in defence (like other great players in Mills and Dawson - Horse often said said 'defence is a good place to watch and learn'). Moved forward last year, and has been training in the front half this pre-season

Loving the kicking skills on our paying list.

 

[Nool Carpenna]

I've pretty much done a backflip on Braeden after re-watching the GWS final from last year. Just saw a hard manliness in that cameo that has me thinking he is much more than just capable, versatile depth.

Thought he was really good in the early part of last season across that middle band of the park... defensively strong, able to create time and space transitioning the ball forward, and terrier-like in a scrap.

Can't have been easy for him to have gone at Pick 5 and then be over-shadowed by "that other Pick 32 guy".

Really hopeful he'll kick on this year and lock in a place, not just in the 22, but also in the hearts of all the faithful.

 

[Bloods86]

I've pretty much done a backflip on Braeden after re-watching the GWS final from last year. Just saw a hard manliness in that cameo that has me thinking he is much more than just capable, versatile depth.

Thought he was really good in the early part of last season across that middle band of the park... defensively strong, able to create time and space transitioning the ball forward, and terrier-like in a scrap.

Can't have been easy for him to have gone at Pick 5 and then be over-shadowed by "that other Pick 32 guy".

Really hopeful he'll kick on this year and lock in a place, not just in the 22, but also in the hearts of all the faithful.

Probably didn't help comparisons when we put the other academy draftee into familiar positions much earlier in his career, whereas Campbell was given the often thankless task in defence, and then as a 2nd or 3rd string half back/wing.