Bird, 20, who debuted last year in the opening game of the season and went on to miss only the one home and away game, is in the group of younger players looking to lift the Swans to their seventh consecutive finals appearance.
A product of the NSW scholarship program he was a shining light for the Swans last season averaging 13 possessions a game as he fitted in nicely alongside Adam Goodes, Brett Kirk and fellow youngster Kieren Jack.
For now Bird is happy playing beside some of the Swans more experienced players but he said there will be a time in his career when the younger generation will be looking to lead the side to great heights.
“There are a lot of young players coming up now and some of our senior players will be coming towards the end of their careers so it’s going to give a lot of opportunities for young blokes,” Bird said.
“When it sort of comes to that time (when the senior players retire), hopefully me and Kieren and a few other young blokes can step up and take over their roles and lead the side which would be good.
“It’s good to be a part of the side at the moment and hopefully I can have a good season.”
Bird is one of the few Swans players to be selected for a round one debut just months after being picked up by the Club in the National Draft.
With his first season behind him and another pre-season under his belt, Bird said he is looking to use what he learned last year in the season ahead.
“I took a lot out of last season. Playing week in week out I found out how hard it is to get up for each week,” he said.
“Hopefully I get to play most of the games this year and hopefully play a bit more game time and a bit more through the midfield which would be good. I hope I can show more consistency and to play a full season again.”
Taken at number 59 in the 2007 national draft, Bird was given the privilege of wearing the coveted number 14 guernsey made famous by triple Brownlow Medalist Bob Skilton and Club champion Paul Kelly.
For the youngster from Nelson Bay he looks certain to have a promising future ahead, especially if he continues along the same path as the Swans greats who have worn the number 14 guernsey.
“At first there was a lot of media attention around it, so it was pretty hard to get out of my head but when I started playing last year I didn’t really think about it too much,” Bird said.
“Sometimes I do have a look at my locker and realise who has played before me and what a great honour it is to be wearing that number."
