Andrew Swallow

Andrew Swallow
Swallow in 2012
Personal information
Full name	Andrew Swallow
Nickname(s)	Spitter
Date of birth	(1987-06-02) 2 June 1987 (age 37)
Original team(s)	East Fremantle (WAFL)
Draft	No. 43, 2005 national draft
Height	182 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	80 kg (176 lb)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
2006–2017	North Melbourne	224 (80)
International team honours
Years	Team	Games (Goals)
2011	Australia	2
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2017. 2 State and international statistics correct as of 2011.
Career highlights
3× Syd Barker Medal: 2009, 2011, 2012 North Melbourne captain: 2012–2016 2006 AFL Rising Star Nomination
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Andrew Swallow (born 2 June 1987) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the North Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was the captain of North Melbourne from 2012 to 2016 before retiring in 2017.

He was North Melbourne's third round draft selection in the 2005 AFL Draft, number 43 overall, from the [East Fremantle football club] in the WAFL.

He received a nomination for the NAB Rising Star for his performance against Geelong in Round 17, 2006 when he managed 28 possessions and a goal.

Swallow's form improved during the 2007 season, consistently gaining high numbers of disposals each week. This culminated in the spectacular 1-point win over Melbourne in Round 9 in which he scored the winning goal.^[1]

Swallow played the first 3 games in 2008, before being sent back to the VFL to work on his outside run and spread from the stoppages. After some positive performances at North Ballarat Roosters, he injured his ankle during a game and missed 7 weeks.

But he was back to his best in 2009 returning to the side to be one of North's finest throughout the season. His disposal has notably improved, and he has worked on all aspects of his game to play every game, and is now recognised as one of the best tacklers and clearance players in the North Melbourne side, and the AFL. On 2 October 2009, Swallow was awarded the Syd Barker Medal by North Melbourne for being the club's best and fairest player for the year.^[2]

He had another terrific season in 2010 playing all 22 games for the second consecutive season and finishing just one vote behind Brent Harvey and Brady Rawlings for the Syd Barker Medal.

In 2011, he would have arguably his best season to date again playing every game and taking home his second Syd Barker Medal which he shared with Daniel Wells. He would also be one of four North Melbourne players selected in the 40 man All Australian squad however he missed out on being selected in the final 22. He would however be selected as part of the Australian squad for the International Rules series against Ireland.

In February 2012, Swallow was announced captain of North Melbourne Football Club replacing Brent Harvey. As a captain, Andrew Swallow capped off a fantastic year to win the Syd Barker Medal with 60 votes becoming a three time Syd Barker Medalist.

In December 2016 it was announced that Jack Ziebell would take over the captaincy role at North Melbourne.^[3]

By the conclusion of the 2017 season, Andrew Swallow announced his retirement from AFL

Statistics are correct to the end of round 9, 2016^[4]

Swallow is the older brother of Gold Coast Suns midfielder David Swallow, who was taken at pick #1 in the 2010 AFL Draft. Swallow was born and raised in Western Australia attending Rehoboth Christian College. Swallow is a Christian.^[5]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Andrew Swallow.

• Andrew Swallow's profile on the official website of the North Melbourne Football Club
• Andrew Swallow's playing statistics from AFL Tables
• Andrew Swallow on Twitter