Sydney defender Colin O'Riordan is looking to use Saturday evening's AFLX tournament to launch his career at the highest level.

O'Riordan, 22, loves to take the game on from half-back and could make a massive impression in the new format, as he has done at NEAFL level in his two seasons in Australia after arriving from County Tipperary.

While it's far from a senior debut during the regular season, the dasher who was upgraded from the Swans' rookie list in November told AFL.com.au that he's aiming to use the tournament to build momentum ahead of the JLT community series. 

"Obviously I just wanted a chance, it will be a great taste of the game and I'll definitely try to take my opportunity," he said.

"You take any chance to play senior footy with both hands.

"The Swans have shown great faith in me and I just want to repay them.

"I love the club, everything about them and everything they stand for.

"I'll do whatever it takes for them and it's very humbling for them to put me onto the senior list."

O'Riordan looked destined to become another Irish success story when he was named in the 2016 NEAFL team of the year after his debut season, but the junior Gaelic footy star failed to find his most consistent form last year.

But working closely with Jarrad McVeigh and Dane Rampe has helped make him more of a complete defender.

"I wouldn't say I went backwards last year but I definitely plateaued a little bit," he said.

"I had to get a more defensive side to my game and I think I've done that and got some balance now.

"I feel a lot more comfortable playing now that I've done that."

The arrival of 2005 premiership defender Tadhg Kennelly as the club's reserves coach for 2018 has made O'Riordan even more comfortable, and only strengthened the pair's relationship, which began before he arrived in Sydney.

"He's such a role model for people at home the way he goes about it, and he's been fantastic for me," he said.

"He's helping kids achieve the dream of being a professional athlete and I could never thank him enough for that opportunity."