As has been a common theme in the Season Wraps of late, Swans ruckman Mike Pyke endured a frustrating, injury-interrupted 2011 season.

After returning to the senior side for the round 6 loss against Carlton, Pyke was instrumental in the win over the Western Bulldogs a week later, kicking two classy goals in the second ruckman/forward role.

However, the Bulldogs game would prove to be the Canadian’s last taste of senior football for the year after injuring his quad during the match.

Pyke returned to the field for the Swans reserves late in the season, and told sydneyswans.com.au that it was important for him to return to the field and continue to learn the subtleties of the game.

How would you describe season 2011?

I think it was a bit frustrating after getting injured back in round 7, but you live and learn, and hopefully next year will be much better.

What do you think you need to work on this off-season after an interrupted season this year?

I think it’s become pretty evident that the big guys are going to have to stay on the field a lot more. As a ruckman/forward, I think hopefully I will spend most of the pre-season playing up forward and working on my leading patterns and my marking ability.

You got back into the reserves towards the end of the season. How important was it for you to finish off with a few games?

I think when you’re playing and you’re fit, the season feels quiet long, but when you’re injured and on the sidelines it feels short. So it was important to finish the season off with playing games because that’s why you’re here and that’s why you’re at the club, so the most important thing is to play games.

I’m probably just above the 50-game mark all time, so it’s really important that I play games and get the ability to read the game, which is one of the hardest things that converting to AFL has proved. It’s definitely a challenge, but I’ll keep going with it.

We saw this season that there really isn’t a place for two genuine ruckman in the team. Do you see yourself fitting back into the team in 2012, and how?

You look at the Geelong-model, and they actually almost play two genuine ruckman. As a ruckman, you almost have to have an extra string to your bow, so going into the pre-season it’s going to be my priority to try and get that second ruck spot. Obviously Shane (Mumford) has stamped himself as the number one ruck at this club, so it’s a matter of being number two and try to get on the field as much as possible.

Will you be heading home at all during the break?

Yeah, it will be nice to have a bit of a break back home. My sister had a son, Zinedine, a couple of months ago, so it will be good to see my first nephew and see some friends and family back home.