Sydney Swans defender Nick Smith has put the onus on the club’s younger players to stand up in 2016 following the retirement of Adam Goodes, Rhyce Shaw and Mike Pyke.

With the departure of more than 700 games of AFL experience it will become vital for the Swans development group to make the most of the opportunity presenting itself.

The 27-year-old has implored his younger teammates to grasp the chance to fill the void left by the retiring trio.

“I think there is a reason to be really excited about what we can do, it is a tough competition so you always have to make sure you are moving forward,” Smith said.

“We need everyone to improve and I think there is a lot of scope for the young blokes to improve as well.

“We have a lot of room for improvement as we weren’t happy with where we finished but there is big up side.”

Smith joined the club’s leadership group at the start of the 2012 season and understands the importance of standing up following the departure of a number of experienced players.

“I look around now and I am probably in the top ten oldest blokes at the Club but it does feel like only yesterday that I did walk through the door,” he said.

“You evolve naturally as a leader and there is no doubt there is a big role for myself having lost Rhyce Shaw and Goodsey.

“It is going to be a really important time for myself along with Joey and Parks to step up in that area.”