In his first season at the Sydney Swans, Matt Spangher's fearlessness and attack on the ball saw him become somewhat of a cult figure towards the end of the 2011 season.

With his trademark Elastoplast strapping and a strut in his step, Spangher was a key, versatile player in the Swans' late-season run - his first five Swans games all resulted in wins.

Spang speaks to sydneyswans.com.au about adapting to his new home town and a role in the forward line.

It was your first season here. How did you find it?

It was mostly positive. Obviously I had injuries, but that aside, it was a good year for me personally. I played a new position which was pretty exciting. I would have liked to have gone two weeks further into the season but I played my first finals games and that was pretty nice.

When you joined the Swans a year ago via the draft (after leaving the West Coast Eagles), what was your aim?

It was firstly to get into the side but my overall aim was just to play more regular and consistent football. At my last Club I was in and out of the side all the time, so to string games together was my main aim.

How do you assess the year then?

I’ve got to come back for next year and have the body right. I think it’s been a learning year for me and the Club, to deal with my body type and the issues I have, so next year touchwood there shouldn’t be any problems.

I have a few problems with my back which can cause soft tissue injuries but towards the end of the year we modified my program training-wise to accommodate those issues. So hopefully next season we start afresh and will have all those sorted out from the start.

When you were able to play, you went from being a defender at your previous club, to playing as a forward for the Swans. Did you enjoy that?

I loved it, it is always fun kicking goals. Something new is always a bit of fun too, it’s exciting. The fact that I was actually contributing in a positive manner to the team was more of a reward than anything. I think there is still an opportunity for me to go into defence if, heaven forbid, there was an injury during a game, so being versatile in today’s game is becoming more important.

You played six games altogether, and the last five games in a row, including two finals. What can you look forward to next year?

To playing more finals! I don’t want to get too carried away but my aim is to play every game. If I can make a difference and contribute to the team then there’s no reason why I shouldn’t have that aim.

Where do you think you improved as a player, being at a different Club and with different coaches?

It was slightly different. Football doesn’t change too much from location to location but there were a couple of subtle things in my game that I’ve worked on this year. But also there is a lot of room to improve next year, especially if I play forward, because it’s a new position and I don’t know all the subtleties of  it.

It has been refreshing being here, change is always good.

You gained a whole new set of team-mates - which of them impressed you?

I share a house with Rhyce Shaw and Rhyce comes with a bit of an aura around him, and he has been great. I was only going to stay with him for a month, but I’m still there a year later and it’s been great.

Ted Richards has been really good with me as well, very welcoming. The ‘octagon’ has been fun - which is Dan Hannebery and Josh Kennedy and Ben McGlynn and Ted and me, we always get together. Yes, an octagon is eight, so we’re open to new members. We’re trying to get Sam Reid on board as we think he’s going places! Jude is keen to get in there and over 30s are allowed, there’s no caps. It’s been a lot of fun and I’ve really enjoyed being in a new city, that’s exciting in itself.