A pre-season without any injury concerns has been the catalyst for the rise of Lewis Melican in season 2017.

It has been a breakthrough season for the 20-year-old defender who has played 11 matches since making his debut in Round 5.

Fresh from a new three-year deal Melican said being able to get some consistency through his pre-season was paramount to his form this season.

“I obviously had a few injuries through my first three years at the Club, it was been a bit of a struggle,” Melican said.

“To get a full pre-season under my belt this year with no injuries and being able to get a fair crack at it, I have been able to prove what I can do.

“Hopefully it stays that way and I can get as many games as I can in for the rest of the year.”

Melican has looked at home in the Swans back six with composure by foot, strong overhead marks and defending against some of the best forwards in the competition.

“It has been great to be able to contribute to the team,” he said.

“I feel like I am able to do that and I haven’t just been a passenger in it.

“I think that has been proven by getting a continuous game every week which is definitely exciting.”

Each week the young key defender gets excited by the prospect of lining up alongside Heath Grundy, Jarrad Mcveigh, Dane Rampe and Nick Smith.

“It is great to be able to play alongside some of the great players we have here at the club,” he said.

“They are great players who have had long careers and I have been able to learn from them through the first three years.

“Especially playing alongside them now it helps a lot.”