The big Canadian, who notched up his 50th AFL match in round four, played every game of the season for the first time, and has not missed a game since round 8, 2012.
Pyke’s on field impact dramatically increased, with the 29-year-old booting 28 goals for the year and finishing second in the league for contested marks with 52 for the season behind Collingwood key forward Travis Cloke.
Pyke’s 28-goal season also more than doubled his career goal tally, which stood at just 13 at the beginning of the year.
Deemed by some as unlucky not to earn an All-Australian squad nomination in 2013, Pyke told sydneyswans.com.au that his focus was to just keep improving.
How would you sum up your season in 2013?
I think it was another year that we’ll all be a little bit disappointed with. To go to the prelim was a great effort but it feels a long way short of a grand final victory, so it was obviously a little bit disappointing after last year.
While it’s hard to overlook the preliminary finals loss, what were some of your highlights of the year?
On a personal side, I think I improved my game, which is what I try to do every year, so I was reasonably pleased with that. In a broader sense I think it was great that we got some very good recognition across the team in Dan Hannebery, Jarrad (McVeigh), Nick Malceski, Josh (Kennedy) and Kieren Jack. I think all of those guys really stepped their game up, which will bode well for us next year. I also think Kurt (Tippett) getting a whole season next year means that there are good things to come for us.
What are some of the improvements you think you’ve made this year?
I think my marking improved, which is good. Being able to impact the scoreboard was also a positive, and then I think just generally my understanding of the game is going up again and I think it can go up further. There are so many good players out there now that you have to continue improving if you want to get better. It’s been a good year for all of us I think, but it’s hard to see it that way when you don’t go all the way.
Looking at your team mates, who would you say are some of the most improved players this year?
I think probably the biggest improver would have to be Dane Rampe. What he’s been able to do and to come in as a rookie and play almost every game this year has been exceptional. I’m really looking forward to seeing him develop next year.
What improvements do you think the team needs to make in 2014?
I think probably our ball movement needs to improve a bit. After that, I think for the most part we have really good structures and a good game plan and I think sometimes when you don’t win the grand final you think you have to start from scratch, but getting to the preliminary final was a pretty good effort and we were only a quarter and a half of bad football away from being in a granny again. I don’t think huge amounts of improvement have to happen; it’s just small little one or two per cents that need to happen.
With six debutants this year, do you think there will be a battle for senior spots next year?
No doubt, but there is every year. There is always that turnover and all the kids are hungry, so it’s good for the guys who hold those spots at the moment and they have to keep improving and have that pressure underneath them. It’s professional sport, so it doesn’t get easier.
What are your plans for the off-season?
I’ll mostly be hanging around here (Sydney) but I will head back home for Christmas. There are a few weddings in the off-season that we’ll be attending, but other than that I’ll just be taking it easy with the family.
