GROWING up on the north shore of Sydney in the 1990s, Lewis Roberts-Thomson says Australian football was basically a "foreign language".

A former junior rugby union player, Roberts-Thomson was a latecomer to a sport, which barely existed in Sydney schools at the time.

So the Swans defender saw first-hand just how far the sport has come in NSW on Wednesday when he visited a primary school in Sydney's south that recently had goal posts installed.

As part of the Community Camp program, Roberts-Thomson conducted a clinic and signing session at Sans Souci Public School, where goal posts had just been erected at either end of its small field.

The kids were having an absolute ball and the fact some were attempting snaps and drop punts was a sign the Swans and the AFL are continuing to break down barriers outside of the sport's traditional centres.

"This is probably the first time I've seen this, goal posts in a school playground," Roberts-Thomson told AFL.com.au.

"I think it's a great step in the right direction no doubt.

"I think the area of Sans Souci has a number of schools that have put up some goal posts. It's great to see the kids out kicking footys.

"The response to these community camps has been really, really positive and the kids seem to take a lot from the clinics we're conducting in terms of skill development."

Whereas in the distant past Swans school visits might have drawn some blank stares from children, the AFL club is finding some real traction in the city.

"It was almost like AFL was a foreign language, no one knew much about it," Roberts-Thomson said of his school days.

"But there's a lot more understanding of the game these days.

"When we go into the schools, the kids know who the Sydney Swans are and they might even know a few players. Certainly Adam Goodes, Jude Bolton, those sort of guys, they're well known.

"That's what the kids need. They need to learn the basics of the game, kicking, handballing, marking, and once they get a taste of it they tend to gravitate towards the game.

"Personally that's what happened with me."

A zone selection in the 2001 National Draft, Roberts-Thomson found a home in defence with the Swans and has played 148 games.

But the AFL's substitution rule, coupled with a limited pre-season, meant 'LRT' played a variety of roles in 2011, including in the ruck and as a key forward.

But the rangy Swan, who has had a solid pre-season apart from a minor hamstring strain four weeks ago, expects to be back in his traditional home down back this coming season.

"I think that's the role I'll play this year. I'll play a bit more down in defence," he said.

"I think that’s what hampered me last year, not having a full pre-season.

"But this year, coming off a good pre-season, learning the structures down back, that's probably going to be my primary role this year."

Roberts-Thomson began 2011 knowing he was entering the final year of his previous contract.

But his form led to the club offering him the comfort of a two-year extension.

"I'm very thankful to the club for offering me that," the 2005 premiership player said.

"So far I've played 10 years at the Swans and it's been a wonderful 10 years.

"I've made some very strong friendships at the club and couldn't imagine it any other way."

James Dampney covers Sydney AFL news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD