SYDNEY Swans ruckman Mike Pyke believes himself, Shane Mumford and Kurt Tippett could all function in the same side together as the latter's suspension inches closer to a conclusion.
Tippett is six games into his 11-match ban for his role in salary cap breaches at former club Adelaide, and there seems little doubt the key forward will quickly find a place in the Swans' line-up once he is eligible.
The prevailing suspicion had been that Tippett’s inclusion could spell trouble for Pyke as the club attempts to fit the two of them plus Mumford, Lewis Roberts-Thomson and Sam Reid into the line-up.
Pyke is doing his best to ensure he isn't expendable, however, currently sitting third in the AFL for contested marks and fifth in hit-outs in a very strong start to the new season.
And he believes form, rather than too many talls, will be the overriding issue when Tippett is eligible to play.
"I think it's probably a situation of form," Pyke said.
"It's typically your best 22 players. It doesn't matter what the size of the players are.
"Sometimes people get a bit caught up on height.
"I think the most important thing is that your best 22 is in form and they pick themselves that way."
Pyke's remarkable story – from Canadian rugby union international to AFL premiership-winning ruckman – continues to amaze and evolve.
The 29-year-old recently passed the 50-game milestone and is riding a 24-game playing streak, throwing egg in the faces of those that labelled his AFL experiment a joke and a waste of time and resources.
His confidence and sense of belonging is unmistakable, believing he and Mumford are now able to "bully" some of their opposition.
"We're fortunate that we can complement each other," he said.
"Sometimes I think we get to bully some of the guys that go it alone in the ruck.
"'Mummy' is a really good player and the standard that he has set himself in previous seasons is extremely high."
The Swans face Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday night in a rematch of last year's Grand Final.
That was the game when Pyke dispelled any lingering doubts and cemented himself as a bona fide AFL talent.
The Canadian has labelled this week "just another game" and he sticks rigidly to the club's mantra, but he will always have some special memories from his last meeting with the Hawks.
"Last year is last year. This year it's a new campaign," he said.
"Last year was really special for us, but this year realistically for us it's four points - last week it was four points and next week it's four points.
"That's the most important thing this week."
Pyke still couldn't escape a press conference, however, without one question about rugby.
The British and Irish Lions are touring Australia in June for three Test matches against the Wallabies in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
"I did look at the calendar and we're away, so it doesn't quite fit into our schedule," Pyke said.
"I'm a bit disappointed not to go and watch.
"That'll be a great tour and I'll be watching on television definitely."
