Playing for the Sydney Swans, going to university and being named as one of Cleo’s most eligible bachelors of the year sounds like quite the hectic schedule. But Matthew Laidlaw is taking it all in his stride.

After missing last season, he is now injury free and ready to live up to expectations.

“It was really frustrating last year. I just couldn’t manage to get anything right, the hamstrings kept getting injured.

“Everything’s fine at the moment, feeling really good, the body’s holding up so far. I don’t think that I’ve strung this many games together for a long time, so it’s been good.” Laidlaw said.

The 22-year-old from Oakleigh was the number 51 draft pick in the 2005 AFL draft, and made his senior debut for the Swans against Geelong in round 15, 2007.

Laidlaw loved the experience and can’t wait to get back to that level of footy.

“That was awesome playing that game, it was a little while ago now, but it was really good…and hopefully I get to do it again sometime soon.

“Once you’ve been there, you definitely want to do it again. The main goal is just to get back into the senior team. Hopefully I can do that over the next month or two.”

Laidlaw was one of the Reserves’ best against Eastlake last weekend, kicking three goals, and was satisfied with his performance.

“I didn’t think I played too bad. I probably had one of my better games over the past couple of weeks, so I was reasonably happy with it but there’s room for improvement obviously.”

When he isn’t busy with his football duties, Laidlaw is also studying part time.

“I’m at uni at the moment, studying commerce. It’s tough trying to fit in time during the year, I can only really do one subject a semester so it’s taking a long time to get through it.”

The 22-year-old also took on a completely different task recently, when he was named in the Cleo Bachelor of the Year’s top 50.

“After thinking about it and I actually asked Mum if she thought I should do it, I ended up doing it just for a bit of fun, and a laugh.

“It wasn’t too bad. I copped a bit from the boys but it was all right in the end," he said.

Now in his fourth year at the Swans, Laidlaw has found his time at the Club to be a great learning experience.

“I reckon I’ve improved heaps over the four years I’ve been there now with the help of the coaches and also the players have been a massive help to me.

“I had Jude Bolton as my mentor in my early years, and now I’ve got Ted Richards, and both of them have been really helpful."

After last week’s draw with the undefeated Eastlake, the Reserves take on Tuggeranong this Sunday.

Despite their 13-point loss last time they met, Laidlaw is confident that his team can win.

“Last time we played them it was a pretty tight game all day… so it’ll definitely be a game that we want to win this time and if we play like we did on the weekend we should be able to match it with them.” Laidlaw said.

The Swans Reserves take on Tuggeranong at Greenway Oval on Sunday at 2pm.