After a disappointing 2011 season, defender Campbell Heath has found the consistency to get his football career back on track.

Following a knee reconstruction and LARS surgery, Heath struggled to maintain form and fitness last season, and was subsequently delisted by the club before being re-drafted as a rookie this season.

Just under 12 months later, Heath is flourishing within the Swans reserves, and will be leading the charge in defence in the NEAFL finals series, which begin tomorrow.

Speaking to sydneyswans.com.au, the 21-year-old said he was enjoying a consistent and injury-free season in 2012.

“The main thing this year for me was to just stay out on the track,” he said.

“I’ve been really fortunate - touch wood - I’ve had no major injuries this year which has allowed me to stay out on the track and get that consistent training and playing every week.

“I think I’m in a good headspace and I think I know my role within the team pretty well now and it’s just about performing consistently each week.”

Not only has the defender been producing consistent performances for the Swans reserves, Heath has also taken on a leadership role within the defensive unit.

The player said the opportunity to be a leader for the Swans has helped further his on-field performance.

“(Leadership) is definitely something I’ve been working on,” Heath said.

“In each line group there has been a leader this season. Bulldog (Jarred Moore) is in the middle, Spang (Matt Spangher) and (Tommy) Walsh are up forward, so I saw myself as one of the senior or more regular defenders down there and have taken on the opportunity.

“I think (having a leadership role) sort of keeps me in the game.

“You can’t drift in and out of the game, you always need to be looking to get things right and I think it’s helped my performance as well.

“It keeps me in the game, keeps me focused and keeps me alert.”

The Swans reserves will face off against last year’s Eastern Conference premiers Ainslie this Saturday at Blacktown International Sportspark.

The Swans have lost their last two encounters against the Canberra-based side including a 26-point loss in round four this season.

Heath said this week’s final will be the perfect chance for the Swans to get one back over their ‘bogey’ team.

“Ainslie have got the mickey over us at the moment, so this weekend is the chance to redeem ourselves” he said.

“They beat us in the Grand Final last year and they are a really physical team and they try to bring that to us.

“We’re expecting a really physical contest, which is probably good for us as we like that physicality.”

Heath said if the Swans can match the physicality of Ainslie, he is confident they should be able to record the win over the weekend.

“When we played Brisbane a few weeks ago we really struggled with our tackles, but we were able to change that last week where we really stuck our tackles and only had a few miss, which is a good thing leading into the finals,” he said.

“It’s about winning that 50/50 ball, making our tackles and winning our one-on-ones.

“If we bring those things, then we should win this weekend.”

Tomorrow’s Qualifying Final between the Sydney Swans reserves and Ainslie will be streamed live on the NEAFL website from 11.45am.