Compete hard and compete well.

That’s the mentality Toby Nankervis will take into his first game of AFL football and the directive from coach John Longmire ahead of Thursday night’s clash against Port Adelaide.

Nankervis’ debut comes after the 199cm key position player was selected as one of three inclusions for the Round 14 encounter with the Power at the SCG.

The 20-year-old joins Mike Pyke and Dean Towers in replacing Lance Franklin (suspended), Kurt Tippett (suspended) and Tom Derickx (omitted).

Nankervis’ aggression, assured hands and ruck smarts has been a feature of his … games in the NEAFL and will go a long way in the Swans bounding back from last weekend’s loss.

“I think I have been pretty consistent, especially over the last month or so,” Nankervis told SwansTV.

“My strength is my will to compete and my will to win, so hopefully bring that tomorrow night. I’m pretty excited for it and pumped to get out there and hopefully contribute to a good win.”

Recruited with Pick 35 in the 2013 National Draft, the former Tasmanian will come up against some stiff competition in Port Adelaide’s Paddy Ryder, who has been heavily tipped to return, and Matthew Lobbe.

The Power are among the best in the competition for clearances (3^rd) and hit outs (equal 4^th) while Ryder can be used as a goal kicking option.

“I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself, as long as I play my role and compete that’s all I can ask for,” Nankervis added.

Nankervis played in the Swans’ first two games of the 2015 NAB Challenge.