AFL expansion club Gold Coast have recruited the brother of reigning North Melbourne best and fairest winner Andrew Swallow, signing him more than 12 months ahead of the 2010 draft.

West Australian teenager David Swallow, a hard-running halfback/midfielder who was best and fairest at the AFL's Under-18 championships, will join the Coast next month and play in the VFL next year.

Coach Guy McKenna said the Gold Coast's guaranteed draft picks next year presented unique circumstances which allowed them to make an offer for Swallow to move west a year early.

"David will be able to join our program and have the benefits of an extra 12 months conditioning and playing with his new team before we enter the AFL in 2011," he said.

"I am lucky to have two years to get ready for my AFL coaching debut and I think David and his family have also recognised the benefits he will receive by entering our program a year early.

"Ultimately it was David's decision."

Swallow, among a growing number of WA juniors recruited by the Coast, is not one of the eligible 17-year-olds they can recruit for 2010 as his birthday sits outside the six-month window granted to the club.

McKenna ruled out repeating the unusual move with any other 2010 draft candidates.

"Thanks to the West Australian talent pathway he has followed and the work he has done with East Fremantle this year he is well and truly ready to begin his journey to AFL," he said.

"We are excited to have such a unique opportunity to develop him into a first-class AFL player."

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