The 19-year-old, who stands at 199cm, took part in a taxing ruck session with team mates Sam Naismith and Tom Derickx this morning, which saw the trio leave the field exhausted after a number of gruelling drills at Lakeside Oval.
Fresh off the park after a very physical session, Nankervis told SwansTV that his first pre-season at his new club had been as tough as he’d expected.
“Today was a pretty solid session, but I don’t think there are many easy sessions at all,” Nankervis said.
“Our ruck sessions are always pretty competitive.
“(The ruck group) are all pretty close off the field but during the drills we all sort of get pretty competitive, but we all get a lot out of it.
“It has been as tough as I thought it would be but all of the boys have helped me along and really helped me settle in.”
Toby Nankervis and Sam Naismith battle it out at Swans training this morning
Nankervis arrived at the club in late November alongside fellow draftees Zak Jones, Aliir Aliir and George Hewett, and was thrown into a solid running block before the Christmas break.
The young ruckman has since spent several hours working exclusively with the club’s big men, under the watch of ruck coach Stephen Taubert and has also participated in the club’s main skills sessions.
The North Launceston product, who happens to be the sole Tasmanian on the Swans’ list in 2014, said he had well and truly settled into Sydney life since his move late last year.
“It is a bit different (to home) but most of the boys are from interstate so everyone knows what it’s like and I think that helped me fit in when I first got here,” he said.
“My housemates have been really good – Tommy Mitchell and Harry Cunningham –they’ve helped me settle in well.
“The summer has also been really good.
“I love the beaches and I’ve spent a fair bit of time down at Coogee Beach, so it’s been a good start for me.”
After two-and-a-half months of hard work at his new club, Nankervis will be one of nine players who will receive their first red and white guernsey at the Sydney Swans Guernsey Presentation and Hall of Fame event, presented by Volkswagen on February 21.
The teenager, who will wear number 13 this year, said he was looking forward to officially becoming a Swan.
“I am pretty excited to get the guernsey,” he said.
“I’m pretty pumped for it and it should be a good night.
“I was never worried about what number I got, I was just stoked to get on the list.”
