Fremantle’s newest recruit Adam Sweid says the excitement of being selected by the Club with the last pick on night one of the 2025 Telstra AFL National Draft outweighed the nervy wait among friends and family.
“The nerves were skyrocketing. I’m so grateful for the opportunity,” Sweid said.
“It was a long night. Obviously, we came here at 7 o’clock for picks one to 25, but it was an amazing experience and I’m just so happy you guys (Freo) chose me, and I’m excited to go to Perth.
“I trusted you guys. I had a chat with Wallsy (David Walls) a couple of days ago and he said that Freo was really interested, so I just trusted him and felt like Freo would bid on me, and you did, so I’m just so happy.”
A whirlwind couple of days awaits Sweid and fellow draftees taken on night two on Thursday before they board a flight West to meet their new Club and teammates for the very first time, an opportunity Sweid says he can’t wait to embark on.
“I was a Hawthorn fan, but I’m a Freo fan now, that’s it forever,” Sweid said.
“It was amazing (to have his name called out among family and friends). I was so stressed. I was aware Freo was interested but no matter what, you are always going to be nervous. I was shaking,” Sweid said.
As his chapter as a Freo player begins, Sweid says he will turn to the Club’s first pick in last year’s draft for advice.
“Similar to Murphy Reid, the example he showed last year, to come in as an 18-year-old and just look so calm and poised in the way he went about it, I’m excited to have a chat with him and ask a lot of questions,” Sweid said.
“I’m a small midfielder, a contested player. I love to go offence and defence and I’m a hard-working player. I can play high forward, I did that at Metro level and thought I suited that role well.
“I love to hunt the footy. I’m so excited.
“Hopefully I can excite Optus Stadium a few times.”
Essendon’s Saad El-Hawli became just the sixth Muslim to play in the AFL when he made his debut against Port Adelaide during Ramadan in March, following Sedat Sir, Adem Yze, Bachar Houli, Ahmed Saad and current Carlton half-back Adam Saad. Sweid hopes to add his name to the list as Fremantle’s first Muslim player.
“A hundred per cent (on joining that list), as soon as possible,” Sweid said.
“I want to show Freo that I’m ready for Round 1, or whenever it is, I’m just excited to go.”
Fremantle will return on night two of the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft with pick 39 as its current next selection.
