Tough North Melbourne in and under player Andrew Swallow talks to Inform about his off-field study efforts via Open Universities Australia.

What are you studying with Open Universities Australia?

Bachelor of Business in Applied Economics

How long have you been studying?

2 years

How do you plan to utilise your study in the future?

Work in the finance industry once I’ve finished football.

Why is study important to you?

Football is only for a short time so we must be prepared to move onto something else once our career's are finished. I also enjoy having something to take my mind of footy

Is it hard to juggle your AFL commitments with study?

It can be hard at times but you have to keep focused on what you gain at the end

What keeps you motivated to keep studying?

Seeing your mates get delisted and realizing footy is only for a short time

Do you think study helps you maintain a good life balance?

It definitely does, it helps you focus on something other than footy

How did it feel when you were first drafted to play senior AFL football?

It was a dream come true, and completion of my childhood goals and ambitions

What are your memories of your first AFL game?

Playing in my home town of Perth against Freo, with my friends and family there to watch