[1] After leaving to come to Australia, Sawatzky and his family where placed in the Rushworth Internment Camp in Victoria during World War II.
Inside the camp Sawatzky was exposed to Australian rules football for the first time.
Sawatzky's family relocated to Rutherglen, Victoria, where Sawatzky was schooled and learnt to speak English, before relocating again to Mitcham, Victoria.
He played 52 games and kicked 43 goals for the Richmond reserves side during his short term there from 1953–55.
[4][5] In addition he won two premierships with the Richmond reserves in 1954 and 1955 and was 1955 Best & Fairest.