billy cootee

Billy Cootee: Sydney Swans Secure Midfield Talent in 2025 AFL Draft

The Sydney Swans have made a calculated move to bolster their midfield depth, selecting Norwood’s Billy Cootee with Pick 42 in the 2025 AFL Draft. This acquisition represents a strategic recruitment of mature-age talent, bringing a player with proven SANFL performance and leadership credentials directly into the AFL system. For the Sydney Swans, securing Cootee is a move towards immediate list stability, while for the player himself, it marks the culmination of a remarkable journey from the NAB League to the elite level of Australian Rules Football.

A Dream Realised: The Draft Day Call

The 2025 Telstra AFL Draft was a pivotal moment for Billy Cootee. After a standout season in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL), the 22-year-old midfielder-forward received the call he had been working toward for years.

According to the Sydney Swans' official announcement, Cootee was selected with the 42nd pick. The club identified him as a "mature age selection" from Norwood, a decision that reflects a shift in modern AFL recruiting strategies where proven performance at senior level is highly valued.

Speaking on the selection, the Swans' recruiting team highlighted Cootee’s consistency throughout the 2025 season. "Cootee was drafted with pick 42 as a mature age selection from Norwood in South Australia," the club noted in their draft coverage. "The 22-year-old midfield-forward stands at 178cm and played 21 senior matches for the Redlegs in 2025, winning their best and fairest."

This selection underscores the Swans' intent to bring in players who can potentially slot into the senior lineup with minimal developmental time compared to teenage draftees.

From Western Jets to Norwood Star: The Career Trajectory

To understand the significance of Cootee’s draft selection, one must look at his trajectory through the Victorian football pathways. Before making his mark in South Australia, Cootee was a highly regarded prospect in the NAB League, playing for the Western Jets.

In 2021, Cootee was appointed captain of the Western Jets, a testament to his leadership qualities and character well before he arrived at The Parade. This leadership history is a crucial piece of context. It illustrates that Cootee arrives at the Swans not just with footballing skill, but with the experience of holding responsibility at a high level in his younger years.

His transition from the Victorian system to the SANFL proved to be a masterstroke for his career. Joining Norwood ahead of the 2024 season, Cootee quickly established himself as a vital component of the Redlegs' engine room.

The 2025 Season: A Masterclass in Consistency

The verified statistics from the 2025 SANFL season paint a picture of a player who was simply too good to ignore. Cootee played all 21 matches for Norwood during the home-and-away season, showcasing remarkable durability—a trait highly prized by AFL clubs.

His performance culminated in winning the Michael Taylor Medal as Norwood’s Best and Fairest winner. This is the highest honour a player can achieve at the club, placing him in elite company.

Norwood Football Club officials were effusive in their praise for Cootee following his draft night success. "Billy Cootee is Norwood's Best and Fairest for season 2025," the club stated. "Cootee played all 21 matches for the Redlegs this season, was named in The Advertiser's SANFL Team of the Year and represented SA in the State Game against the VFL."

These achievements highlight three key attributes that Sydney fans can look forward to: 1. Durability: Playing every available game in a gruelling state league season. 2. Consistency: Being named in the SANFL Team of the Year indicates he was among the best players in the competition, not just at his own club. 3. State-Level Prowess: Representing South Australia against the VFL is the pinnacle of state football, proving he can compete with the best players on the fringe of AFL selection.

Playing Style: The Midfield-Forward Hybrid

Billy Cootee is described as a "midfield-forward," a versatile role that is becoming increasingly valuable in modern AFL. At 178cm, he possesses the size to win the contested ball in the midfield but likely retains the agility and goal-sense to rest forward.

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence regarding his attacking flair comes from video highlights of his 2025 season. In Round 9 of the SANFL, Cootee was captured snapping a goal from 45 meters out on the run. This specific play demonstrates his elite aerobic capacity and ability to hit the scoreboard from midfield—a trait that makes him difficult to match up on.

For the Sydney Swans, who have historically relied on midfielders who can contribute to the goal tally (such as Luke Parker and Isaac Heeney), Cootee fits a specific and desirable profile. He is not just a ball-winner; he is a ball-winner who hurts the opposition on the scoreboard.

The Norwood Connection: A Proven Pathway

Norwood has become a fertile recruiting ground for AFL clubs in recent years. The Redlegs have a reputation for developing talent that translates to the elite level. Cootee is the latest in a line of players to make the jump.

His time at Norwood, spanning 39 senior matches in total, has provided him with a solid grounding in senior football. By the time he steps onto the SCG for his first senior training session, he will have experienced the physicality, pressure, and tactical complexity of state-level football. This background should allow him to transition smoothly into the Swans' system.

The move to Norwood in 2024 was a calculated risk that paid off. Leaving Victoria for South Australia allowed Cootee to stand out in a different market and showcase his wares on a big stage. His success serves as a blueprint for other aspiring AFL players: sometimes, a move to a different state league environment is the catalyst needed to launch an elite career.

Immediate Implications for the Sydney Swans

The acquisition of Billy Cootee has immediate implications for the Sydney Swans' list management strategy. Coming off another strong season in 2024, the Swans are in a "win-now" window, but they also need to manage the transition of their veteran players.

Cootee offers a unique solution. He is 22 years old, fitting the age profile of the Swans' core group, but he arrives with the maturity of a seasoned state league player.

From a tactical perspective, Cootee gives the Swans' coaching staff flexibility. He can be deployed as an inside midfielder to release stars like Callum Mills and Luke Parker, or he can be pushed forward to provide a marking target and resting option. His recruitment adds depth to a midfield unit that has faced injury challenges in recent seasons.

For Norwood and the SANFL, the loss of a player of Cootee's caliber is a blow, but it also reinforces the league's status as the premier breeding ground for AFL talent outside of the elite system. It validates the efforts of the Norwood coaching staff in molding a player who was ready to step up.

Future Outlook: What Lies Ahead for Cootee and the Swans?

Looking ahead to the 2026 AFL season and beyond, the expectations for Billy Cootee will be high, though realistic.

The Pre-Season Challenge The immediate hurdle is the AFL pre-season. Cootee will need to acclimatize to the increased speed and precision of the Swans' ball movement. His aerobic base, established through 21 full SANFL games in 2025, should serve him well here.

The Path to Debut Mature-age draftees often make an impact early. The pressure to perform at VFL level (Sydney's reserves) will be intense. If Cootee can replicate his SANFL form—where he was a Best and Fairest winner and State representative—in the VFL, a debut in the first half of the 2026 season seems inevitable.

The "Swans System" Sydney is known for its disciplined, team-first culture, often referred to as "The Bloods." Cootee’s documented leadership history suggests he will fit this culture seamlessly. His selection as Western Jets captain and his rise to Norwood's best player show a player driven by standards.

Risks and Challenges The primary challenge for any mature-age recruit is the mental and physical leap. The AFL season is longer and more intense than the SANFL. However, Cootee’s durability in 2025 is a strong indicator that his body can withstand the rigors of professional sport.

A Verdict on