Swift response to love of game
Former West Coast midfielder Tom Swift says "selfish" reasons have convinced him to revive his career in the WAFL next year.
The 24-year-old will play for Claremont in 2015 after a two-year absence to concentrate on academic pursuits.
His game time has been limited to a one-off Foxtel Cup appearance for the Tigers since quitting the Eagles at the end of 2012.
Swift, who played 34 games for the Eagles over four seasons, has just completed his bachelor of commerce at the University of Western Australia.
"I was missing the team environment and just having that real purpose outside of my studies," Swift said.
"From a personal perspective, the hunger came back.
"I'm probably coming back for more selfish reasons in that I just wanted to be involved with the club again and I wanted to get the feeling of running out and playing a bit of football again.
"It's a fantastic club and that was a huge part of the decision."
Swift terminated his AFL career as a 22-year-old, when he walked in to John Worsfold's office just days after winning the premiership with Claremont.
He told Worsfold he intended to enrol full-time at UWA rather than re-sign with West Coast.
He will study honours next year and complete his pre-season around a three-month posting with a bank in Melbourne.
The 2008 No.20 draft pick said he had no regrets about leaving the Eagles.
He predicted the culture of success at his old AFL club would guarantee its return to finals in 2015.
Claremont also met de-listed North Melbourne midfielder Liam Anthony this week.
His original club, East Fremantle, also want to secure the 27-year-old's services and Subiaco have made contact.
Veterans Mark Seaby and Brandon Franz have committed to playing for Claremont again next year.
·Respected pair Matthew Lloyd and Cameron Ling will return to their clubs in part-time roles.
Lloyd will work at Essendon as a part-time coach, working with key forwards Joe Daniher and Jake Carlisle.
Ling will advise Geelong's player leadership group and monitor the player development program.
Lloyd is a three-times Coleman medallist and is seventh on the AFL's all-time goal-kicking list with 926 majors. The former Bombers captain was renowned for his accuracy in front of goal.
"I have no doubt Lloydy will assist us in developing and moulding the methods and skills sets of our forwards," Bombers coach James Hird said.
"I know the players are also looking forward to tapping into his experience and knowledge."
Ling captained Geelong's 2011 premiership team and the master tagger was one of the keys to their three flags from 2007. He had a similar part-time leadership role this year at North Melbourne, but ended it because of media commitments.
DID YOU KNOW? 34 The number of games Tom Swift played for West Coast across four seasons
with Australian Associated Press
