Sydney’s latest Irish project Tommy Walsh will make his long-awaited AFL debut on Saturday, more than two years after moving to Australia.
Swans coach John Longmire on Thursday confirmed Walsh – a teammate of ex-Swan Tadhg Kennelly’s at Gaelic football side Kerry – will feature against Melbourne at the SCG, predominantly in the forward line.
“At certain stages I thought it would never happen, so it’ll be great to get off the mark,” Walsh said.
“My NAB Cup form wasn’t the best. So John sat me down and we went through a plan about what I needed to work on.
“I suppose it’s taken an eternity in my mind … looking back at it now, I didn’t realise how hard it was going to be. There were a lot of tough times, so hopefully this weekend will make it all worthwhile.”
The 24-year-old first signed with St Kilda in October 2009, but lack of opportunties meant he sought a trade to Sydney.
Walsh’s father Sean, who won seven All-Ireland medals, will fly over from Ireland to see his son don the No.17 Kennelly made famous at the SCG.
“Tadhg’s been really good,” Walsh said.
“Even when I was down in Melbourne he’s always supported me and been there if I ever need to talk to someone.
“We had dinner last night … he said to play your own game and have a crack.”
Longmire said his selection committee had no choice but to pick the in-form Walsh.
“He’s been working at it for two and a half years and improving all the time,” the second-year coach said.
“He’s still been learning the game … we’ve been playing him in different roles and been teaching him different parts of the game.
“His form’s been really consistent over the past five or six weeks. He’s been in our best two or three players every week.
“You look at his consistency and through sheer weight of numbers he’s forced his way into the team.”
Longmire hopes Walsh’s presence will ease the burden on 20-year-old Sam Reid.
“He’ll primarily play forward and give us a bit of structure in our forward line and hopefully just make a real strong contest.”