Goulburn Valley League young gun and Shepparton Swans swingman James Auld is the latest to attract interest from the southern part of the state as he joins Shepparton’s Jake Watts as a train-on player for Essendon’s VFL team.
Auld, 19, was like a duck to water during his first full season of senior football at the Swans, playing a variety of positions through the midfield, wing, half-back and forward line.
While his side again missed finals, Auld impressed onlookers throughout his 18 matches, kicking 22 goals and featuring in the best seven times.
Auld’s versatility and fine run of form caught the eye of Essendon’s VFL side and, throughout the summer, the young swingman has worked hard to earn the respect of the coaches at Windy Hill.
“I did the pre-season with them over the summer and sometime at the beginning of March, I found out they had finalised the list and I was a train-on.
“I was pretty proud and excited just to be involved in something like that, so yeah, it was good news.
“Probably my work ethic and ability to stick to processes stuck out.
“It’s all about how you can support your team and your teammates.
“Listening to the coaches and just the development over the summer probably was a standout.”
Shepparton Swans will remain Auld’s home side when he is not playing for the Bombers, with the malleable star set to be a valuable asset at Princess Park this season.
Although playing regular games for the Bombers may still be a little while away, Auld said one of his goals was to make his debut in the red and black this season.
“Just to keep developing really and become the best teammate that I can and also maybe play a game towards the end of the year, that would be a big effort,” he said.
“I’ve been a bit of a swingman at Shepp the past couple of years, just sort of filling in a few holes.
“Over pre-season, I have mainly been training off half-back and the wing as sort of a running player, but also with the ability to go forward and hopefully hit the scoreboard.
“It’s been great they have a fairly new list this year with a heap of young players, so it is a great club to be a part of.
“Everyone is developing well and the coaches have done a good job of building a solid list and a good culture, as it’s a place that I enjoy being around.”
One key takeaway Auld has obtained from his first pre-season in a professional environment is the need to focus on the minor details, not just the big picture.
“Getting the details right and always being switched on when you are in the game we talk a lot about, and we refer to it as ‘blue brain’, so being in the moment while you are playing.
“Playing in that league (VFL) you always have to be concentrating and focused on what you have to do even when you don’t have the ball.”
After kicking one goal during the Swans’ first match of the season against Euroa, Auld’s next game for the Swans will be round two against Mansfield.
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