The 22-year-old from Gunnedah in northern New South Wales, who’s the tallest on the Swans’ list at a lofty 205 centimetres, will line up in the ruck for the Swans this weekend in place of Mike Pyke, who will miss the match due to illness.
Speaking to SwansTV ahead of his first match in the red and white, Naismith said he couldn’t be more excited to get his opportunity against the Tigers this weekend.
“I’m absolutely pumped and I can’t wait,” he said.
“It was a bit surreal really to hear that I was going to be playing my first game this week, but now I can’t wipe the smile off my face.
“It’s a big opportunity and I’m going to take it with both hands and I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”
Despite producing a number of impressive performances in the Swans reserves over the last month, including dominant displays against Belconnen (31 possessions and 33 hit-outs), UWS (27 hit-outs, 11 disposals, three goals) and the Sydney Hills Eagles (44 hit-outs, 10 possessions, one goal), the news of his senior selection came as a surprise.
When he was ushered in to the Swans’ development office on Thursday afternoon by head coach John Longmire, Naismith said he felt certain he was in trouble.
“I found out this afternoon after weights,” he said.
“Just before the team meeting, John called me into the development office and Josh Francou was in there and so was Jared Crouch.
“They backed me into a corner a little bit, so I was quite nervous because I thought I might be in there to be given a spray but it was all happy, and John just said I was playing this week.”
Naismith’s development this season comes after a disappointing first season at the club, which saw him miss the majority of the season with thumb and knee injuries.
He returned to fitness in time to play in the Swans reserves NEAFL Eastern Conference premiership last season, before putting in a strong pre-season which saw him feature in the team’s NAB Challenge campaign.
Following a strong year on and off the track, Longmire said Naismith had been battling it out for senior selection with first-year ruckman Toby Nankervis, but was able to put his nose in front this week.
“Naismith knew he’d been in that frame. Both he and Toby Nankervis, there’s not too much between the two of them,” the coach said.
“They are both young ruckman coming through and we’re really pleased with how both of them are going and we’ve gone for Sammy this week and he’s absolutely thrilled.
“He was thrilled as all new first-gamers are and was absolutely rapt, and also a bit shocked at the start.
“We’re pleased with how two of our younger rucks are going.”
Naismith will be thrown in the deep end this week, with the young player set to battle it out with Richmond’s influential ruckman Ivan Maric on Saturday.
The first-gamer said he did feel daunted by prospect of taking on big Ivan in the centre, but said he couldn’t be more ready to test out his ability at the senior level.
“I’m very nervous, especially out at ANZ Stadium, where there should be a big crowd,” he said.
“It’s quite daunting coming up against Maric who is a great player, but I’m ready to run around with him.
“I think I’ll be pretty pumped up, a bit nervous, but I’ll be ready for the challenge.”
