New Swans recruit Jackson Thurlow got his first taste of live football as a six-year-old as Sydney took on St Kilda at the SCG.

Many moons later, the fleet-footed defender is buzzing with excitement to return to the Moore Park venue, with Sydney securing the 24-year-old from the Geelong Cats in exchange for pick 70 on Wednesday.

“It all happened really fast but it was probably a blessing in disguise,” Thurlow told sydneyswans.com.au.

“I didn’t really have any time to think about it. It all happened in about three or four hours and I’m really grateful the Swans have given me a second opportunity to prolong my career.”

The Cats signed Thurlow with their first selection at the 2012 National Draft and the Tasmanian would play 46 games in five seasons at the club.

He played seven senior games in 2018, including two of Geelong’s last three regular-season matches to help the Cats lock in a finals berth.

A knee reconstruction saw Thurlow miss the entirety of the 2016 season, but after a couple of years of building form and confidence, he’s ready to attack his first pre-season in Sydney.

“I’ve been in and out of Geelong’s footy team for probably two or three years,” Thurlow said.

“I never really cemented a spot after coming back from injury in 2016.

“So I’m just looking forward to obviously meeting all the boys and just getting cracking into training. It’s a whole new environment for me and it’s just a fresh start. I’m not sure where that’s going to take me but I’ll work hard.

“I was in and out of the Cats team this year. I think I was travelling emergency three or four times and I was in the squad about 18 times for the year.

“I was close but sometimes things don’t fall your way. But today fell my way and I get another opportunity at Sydney and I’m really excited for it.”