Will Gould was one of six Swans whose time in Sydney was cut short on Monday.
Gould, 22, was officially delisted after four years in the harbour city, managing just four AFL appearances in that time.
Originally taken with pick 26 back in 2019, Gould showed plenty of promise and was constantly tipped as a young player set to get his opportunity in multiple pre-seasons.
But all of Gould’s senior opportunities came in 2023 – two as sub – as he failed to lock down a spot.
In an admittedly nervy exit interview, the defender said he organized a second meeting with John Longmire and head of footy Charlie Gardiner to get his point across.
“I’ve known since just after my exit interview that I wasn’t going back, I has my exit interview and then went back in and spoke to Horse and Charlie Gardiner… we discussed it a little bit further,” Gould began on SEN SA’s The Run Home of his delisting.
“From my end, there was limited opportunities but if it was going to stay the same there’s probably not much point in coming back.
“So I’ve known for a couple weeks and been able to process that. I’m alright.”
He added: “The exit meeting we just talked about the year and how it was going, a mixture of feedback… I walked out and probably didn’t get to say what I needed to in there, so obviously I had a chat to Horse and Charlie afterwards, that was a good one and then I came home after that.”
Drafted as a half-back, Gould also spent time as an undersized lockdown defender in standing 191 cms.
But his talent is proven at reserves level. In 2022 he was named the VFL’s Player of the Year and has consistently put up strong numbers.
Gould puts down his development to the professionalism at the Swans and believes that holds him in good stead to make it at the top level with a fresh start.
“I’ve learnt a lot coming in overweight and not too fit to the Swans, the guys up there that hold themselves to elite standards… I’ve learnt so much on how to be professional,” Gould explained.
“I’m a more rounded athlete than I was when I got there, and through experiences on and off the field, I’m a more rounded person, more mature.
“I’d be absolutely ready to grab another opportunity as they come.
After catching up with his manager, Gould plans to spend his time in Adelaide, training and getting as fit as possible.
While another AFL opportunity may not be forthcoming in 2023, Gould will keep his options open going into the new year.
“Ideally another opportunity at AFL level, whether that’s through the delisted free agency period or pre-season train on and pre-season supplementary period,” he added of his future plans.
“But if not I’ll certainly be back in the SANFL. I’m settled back in Adelaide and not looking to move anywhere else.”
Gould was joined by Ryan Clarke, Hugo Hall-Kahan, Cameron Owen, Lachlan Rankin and Marc Sheather in not being offered new contracts.
The Swans have plenty of free list spots and are set to be active across the trade and draft space, already receiving Joel Hamling as a free agent from Fremantle.