Sam Swadling

Samuel Swadling (born 16 January 2007) is an Australian rules footballer playing for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

State football Swadling played for West Perth in the West Australian Football League (WAFL). He played for the junior "Colts" team, averaging 35 disposals per game, and won the fairest and best award after only seven games. Additionally, he was selected for the senior team, playing four times, averaging 17.5 disposals per game, and represented Western Australia four times at the 2025 AFL National Championships. He impressed at VFL level, collecting 240 disposals in nine games, including a 40-disposal match against Sydney.

Swadling made his AFL debut at the MCG against Port Adelaide in round 15 of the 2026 AFL season. Swadling impressed in his first outing, collecting 18 disposals and a goal playing primarily as a winger.

In round 23, Swadling received the nomination for the 2026 AFL Rising Star Award, following his then-career-high 29 disposals against Hawthorn. Swadling also made the game-saving spoil off the line after the siren, ensuring the game finished a tie.

Personal life Swadling has a younger brother, Joel, who lives with cerebral palsy and has represented Western Australia nationally in wheelchair basketball tournaments, and is a source of motivation for his older brother.

Statistics Updated to the end of the 2026 season.

9 !! 6 !! 1 !! 93 !! 87 !! 180 !! 36 !! 10 !! 0.7 !! 0.1 !! 10.3 !! 9.7 !! 20.0 !! 4.0 !! 1.1 !! 0