While no one at the club can say for certain just how much the 21-year-old from Gunnedah has grown this year - the best estimate is between two and four centimetres- it’s fair to say that Naismith could literally be the ‘next big thing’ when it comes to club’s ruck stocks.
Currently standing at approximately 205 centimetres, Naismith has also made other physical changes over the off-season and returned the club with a noticeably bigger and more imposing frame.
Strategy and Midfield coach Stuart Dew is one of the many football staff who has noticed the differences in Naismith this pre-season and said he was looking forward to finding out what the second-year Swan has to offer this year.
“I think he’s grown three to four centimetres, no one can keep track,” Dew said.
“He’s clearly done a bit of work in the gym and obviously some core work, so he’s listened and learned and has really put it into action.
“He’s certainly showing a lot of potential and we told him before going away on the break to look after himself and to come back and put in a solid pre-season, which he’s done.”
With Shane Mumford and Jesse White moving on during last year’s trade period, Dew said opportunities could open up for Naismith this season.
After observing his development throughout the pre-season, Dew said he had high hopes for Naismith and hadn’t placed a limit on what the young ruck could achieve this season.
“We’ve got (Mike) Pykey here and Tom Derickx who have played senior footy, so Sammy can learn off them and then start to challenge for a position,” Dew said.
“There really isn’t any reason it couldn’t be this year at some point.”
Naismith’s improvement comes after a disappointing first season for the Swans rookie, who missed the majority of the season due to injury.
After playing in the Swans’ first NAB Cup match last season, Naismith broke his thumb sparring with Jude Bolton before he suffered a knee injury, which had to be operated on mid-year.
Naismith worked his way back to fitness in time for the Swans reserves finals’ campaign, and was part of the NEAFL Eastern Conference premiership winning team, which was the first Grand Final win of his football career.
Spurred on by the reserves’ strong finish and with the next season in his sights, Naismith worked hard over the off-season and is now enjoying his best pre-season to date.
“This year pre-season is going really well,” Naismith told SwansTV.
“After (last year) it was about pretty much persevering with the rehab group and just working with stuff off the field and preparing for the new season to come along.
“Now I’m feeling really fit and ready to go, so I can’t wait for the new season to come along.”
With Mike Pyke working back to full fitness in the rehab group, Naismith said there could be some healthy competition for ruck duties in this year’s NAB Challenge series.
He said he was relishing the battle between the club’s new ruckman, including recruit Derickx, draftee Toby Nankervis and international rookie Patrick Mitchell who he has been training closely with over the summer.
“We’re all pretty raw at the moment, so we’re looking forward to working with ‘Taubo’ (ruck coach Steve Taubert) and pushing each other for that spot,” he said.
“There’s got to be at least one of us ready to jump in that role in the pre-season comp.
“All the boys are pushing themselves pretty hard at the moment.”
“We all know what’s at stake so I’m just looking to give myself the best chance to have a crack at AFL-level.”
