Sydney Swans ruckman Mike Pyke reached new heights in last year’s grand final win over Hawthorn, but the big man won’t be looking back ahead of this week’s round seven clash with the Hawks.

Despite Saturday night’s match being the first time the two sides have met since that last Saturday in September, Pyke said he and his team mates were firmly focused on the present.

“Last year is last year and this year is a new campaign,” Pyke said.

“Last year was really special for us, but realistically (this game) is four points, last week was four points and the following week is for four points, so that’s the most important thing this week.”

Speaking ahead of the Swans Thursday morning training session at the SCG, Pyke said he didn’t believe either team would spend much time reviewing the outcome of last season’s decider, adding that he expected a strong contest regardless of the result in 2012.

“From the players I don’t think (they will consider the grand final), but externally in terms of the supporters and the media there probably will be some,” Pyke said.

“I think it will be the same for Hawthorn in that last year is last year.

“They are certainly a very good club and depending on whether we played them last year or not, they are a top four side and we see them that way and it is certainly a big game.”

Pyke has another reason to not look back this week, with the 201cm ruckman producing a career-best start to the season in 2013.

The big Canadian is ranked third in the competition for contested marks with 15 for the season and is in the top five in the league for hit-outs after six rounds, but Pyke said there was no secret to his improvement in 2013.

“My focus is to try and improve every week and I think the experience factor plays into that,” he said.

“I’ve played over 50 AFL games now and I think that makes a big difference and I’m just trying to get better and that’s one of the things that every player wants to do.

“Personally I’m a reasonably driven person myself without external influence, and as I said I just try to improve in every session.

Focusing on his own challenge this weekend, Pyke said he was expecting a tough contest against the Hawks’ big men in Saturday night’s match.

The ruckman said Hawthorn's David Hale was one of the most underrated players in his position in the league, and identified young ruck option Max Bailey as another talented tall in the Hawks’ line up.

“I think David Hale is a really underrated player as a ruckman and forward, or he might not be underrated anymore but I certainly think he was last year,” he said.

“Max Bailey is obviously young and hasn’t played a lot of games, but they have kept him on the list for a long time through a lot of injuries and they obviously saw something in him that we’re seeing now.

“He’s been playing really well and he kicked three goals at the beginning of a game a few weeks ago.”