OFF-season hasn’t stopped Swan Districts Football club from keeping busy, with the club signing SANFL Norwood midfielder Nik Rokhar for the 2024 men’s squad and Ben Bowness as WALFW Swan’s senior coach.

Mr Bowness was the Swan’s WALFW assistant coach last season and also coaches the Kalamunda Cougars.

He has played in three premierships and more than 200 games for the Perth Football League, and said he can’t wait to start.

“I look forward to bringing my style of coaching and to continue adding value to an already great playing group and club,” he said.

“I have a passion and drive for high performance and look forward to building the team’s capacity both on and off the field.”

Mr Rokar’s move west comes after he won the 2023 best and fairest for Norwood, an accolade he has won twice, the first time in 2021.

He also represented South Australia in the 2022 state match against WA and shined in Norwood’s 2022 SANFL premiership victory.

Originally from Shepparton, Victoria, he has also played footy in the Northern Territory, helping Southern Districts to a premiership, and played for Geelong in the VFL.    

He said he is excited to join the club and hopes to help the Swans get their first premiership since 2010.

“Looking at their last couple of years, they’ve been in teasing distance from having a go at finals,” he said.

“I think with a bit of luck earlier on (the Swans) could have got there this year, so with another good pre-season and a couple of less injuries, then we can be well and truly up there next year so that’s exciting.”