Swans defender Nick Smith says all is tracking well with his conditioning despite the delayed start to pre-season training.

The 27-year-old was one of 22 players who represented Australia in this year’s International Rules Series.

The trip took the squad to the United States for a week-long training camp, which included a practice match against US representative GAA team, then onto Ireland for the one-off match in Dublin which ended in a narrow defeat.

Smith’s appearance means the 2014 All Australian has been eased back into training rather than thrown right into the gruelling sessions undertaken by a majority of his teammates over the past three weeks.

Smith, tackling his 10th pre-season, will be on lighter duties before increasing his workload over the coming week and when the squad return from the Christmas break.

“I had a pretty quiet week (after the IRS), I tried to stay pretty fit for that game so only just easing back into it now,” Smith said.

“Pre-season starts off with a lot of running and a little less skills, then transitions the other way as the summer wears on.

“And I’ll be doing the same.”

Smith took part in a few of the drills on offer during Wednesday’s session which involved the select group putting both their skills and endurance to the test at Lakeside Oval.

The energy was up, more than usual, throughout the entire session with Harry Cunningham, Dane Rampe and Dan Hannebery among those encouraging the group the whole time.

“There’s two forms which are always important,” Smith added.

“We always try and push each other through training but the directional talk is probably more important.

“It’s always good when there’s voice on the track telling you where to go.”

The players will take a well-earned break over Christmas on Friday, December 18, before returning a few days into 2016.