Billy Cootee Drafted by Sydney

Norwood midfielder Billy Cootee has been Drafted to the Sydney Swans with Pick 42 in the 2025 AFL Draft. 

Cootee headed to The Parade ahead of the 2024 season, and has starred for Norwood in 39 SANFL matches, winning this year’s Best and Fairest Award – the Michael Taylor Medal.

Relocating from Victoria, where he had been the captain of Essendon’s VFL side at the age of 20, Cootee fit into Norwood and the SANFL seamlessly from day one, and in 2025 became one of the premier midfielders in the competition.

Cootee was selected in the third Round of the Draft on Wednesday night, following a 2025 season where the 22-year-old averaged 23 disposals, one goal, five tackles and five clearances.

“I am so excited, and grateful for the opportunity, I feel like I’ve worked pretty hard for it,” Cootee said.

“It’s bizaare, I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was with a few boys from the club, stuffing our faces at a pub and then my phone blew up. I got 50 messages in the space of one minute.

“I couldn’t thank the Norwood Football Club enough, they welcomed me with open arms. I’m going to miss the fans, the players, the coaches and all the connections I’ve made in SA. It’s been a home away from home.

“I am going to miss the club, it’s mixed emotions, but I’m so excited.”

Cootee said he was “ecstatic” to be heading to the Swans, becoming the second Redleg to be Drafted to Sydney in as many years, after young forward Ned Bowman was called out last year.

“It’s a massive club, it’s surreal to be rubbing shoulders with Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner who are stars, and I got a call from Brodie Grundy last night which was nice,” he said.

Cootee was selected in The Advertiser’s SANFL Team of the Year for the first time in 2025, and  represented the SANFL in the State Match against the VFL during Gather Round.

Cootee’s career best game came in Round 14 when the Redlegs demolished the Eagles, gathering 39 disposals, two goals, four tackles and six clearances.

He heads to Sydney at the end of this week, to begin life as a Swan. Cootee is the second Norwood player to be Drafted into the AFL system in 2025, after Jacob Newton was taken in the mid-season draft (West Coast).