Swans ruckman Callum Sinclair took on a mountain of pressure following the pre-season retirement of Kurt Tippett and season-ending injury to Sam Naismith.

But the former West Coast giant has embraced the Mr Fix It tag in the early stages of season 2018.

Sinclair stood alongside fellow talls Lance Franklin and Sam Reid in the Swans’ forward 50 in 2017 and played as the third-string ruckman behind Tippett and Naismith.

But in tipping the measuring tape at 200 centimetres, Sinclair was a clear front-runner to bear the brunt of the Swans’ hard-hit rucking department.

“Versatility is something I pride my game on – being able to play multiple positions,” Sinclair said on Macquarie Sports Radio.

“But I don’t mind kicking a goal and I don’t mind giving a bit of celebration to the crowd as well. If I had it my way I’d be up front putting the ball through the sticks.

“But rucking is another role I enjoy and it’s part of the game and part of how I play. When John Longmire tells me what to do I’ve got to do it.”

Sinclair continued to punch above his weight in the win over the Cats last Saturday.

The 28-year-old complemented a game-high 39 hit-outs with 18 disposals and six marks.

Since going to head-to-head with former rucking sidesman Nic Natanui in Sydney’s season-opening clash with West Coast, he has averaged 39 hit-outs per game and won four of his five rucking duels.

He was at his dynamic best in Sydney’s 15-point win over GWS in Round 3 in finishing with 45 hit-outs and impacting on the scoreboard in a three-goal return.

The Beaumaris junior was outdone by Natanui in Round 1 and another seasoned campaigner in Sam Jacobs in Sydney’s loss to Adelaide in Round 5.

Sinclair will again have his hands full on Saturday when he takes on North Melbourne big men Todd Goldstein and Ben Brown.

But he said 260-game Fremantle veteran Aaron Sandilands was the competition’s premier ruckman.

“Sandilands makes the majority of ruckman in the AFL look pretty small,” Sinclair said.

“Believe it or not, he is quite quick for his height and he provides the midfield with first use, so he’s always a challenge.

“But every ruckman is very different, everyone has their certain style and you’ve got to do your homework every week.”

The Swans secured his signature at the 2015 National Draft but Sinclair first called West Coast home and he signed with the Eagles at the 2013 Rookie Draft.

He played just nine senior games across 2013 and 2014 but made 20 appearances in 2015 as he worked in tandem in the ruck with Natanui.

He banked 16 games in his first season in Swans colours in 2016 and had another 19 outings in 2017.

Sinclair tasted grand final defeat with West Coast in 2015 and again with Sydney in 2016 and premiership heartbreak is pushing him as he continues to eye his first AFL flag.

“It doesn’t really matter who’s playing on grand final day – even last year with Richmond versus Adelaide you’re just extremely jealous seeing players celebrate like that,” Sinclair said.

“Playing professional sport is very tough and there are a lot more lows than highs, but if you can reach that high one day it’ll all be worth it.

“Losing a grand final drives you every single day to experience that feeling but if you look too far ahead you’re going to get exposed and take your eye off the ball.”