After an injury cruelled 2011 season, Swans big man Mike Pyke has his sights set on a more successful 2012 season.

An ongoing quad injury restricted Pyke to just two senior appearances last season, but the 27 year-old told SwansTV, he hasn’t missed a beat yet this pre-season.
 
“I’ve hit every single training session this year which is good and the quad hasn’t been bothering me at all,” Pyke said. 

“It was a tough one last year but this year but this year I’m just looking to improve again and raise the bar. I’m still new to the game so I think it’s both game awareness and general skill work I need to work on.”

Due to the new substitute rule, injuries and suspensions, the Swans were forced to tinker with a number of ruck combinations in 2011. 

Pyke believes his opportunity to add to his 28-senior game career may come as a back-up ruckman that can play forward, and is working hard to make that role his own. 

“That new ruck/forward role is really taking shape in the AFL, and a lot of people are saying there is not going to be two ruckmen anymore, so I need to add that extra forward string to the bow," he said. 

“I think we saw last year the return of the big pack marks, so as a big guy, you have got to have good hands and be able to take grabs so that’s probably number one on the priority list."  

An emphasis on skills training during the pre-season has also helped Pyke, who was chuffed to tell SwansTV he finished runner-up behind Rhyce Shaw in an elite kicking test.

As the Swans young brigade continues to impress on the track, it is some of the team’s elder statesmen who have most impressed Pyke this preseason.

“Goodesy is looking in really good form, as usual I guess. Ryan O’Keefe as well, he started slowly but he is giving a lot of voice out there on the field.

“Rhyce Shaw hardly had a pre-season at all last year and he still finished second in the best and fairest. This year he has been running around a lot so i think he will have a good year."

Pyke is excited about his development and is already looking forward to his next opportunity to get out on to the SCG.

For Swans fans, Pyke’s progress is just one of the many things they have to look forward to as the 2012 season kicks into gear. 

Mike Pyke's profile page