THERE will be plenty of irony surrounding Tommy Walsh's debut with his new AFL club on Friday night.

Walsh spent two years on St Kilda's list without managing to play an AFL game, and the new Swan will play his first NAB Cup matches at Etihad Stadium against Geelong and St Kilda.

But not only is his first outing in the red and white coming against the Saints, a good performance could also lead to him finally making his debut in the season proper.

Despite some impressive performances in the VFL, Walsh wasn't able to crack the Saints' senior side and he was snapped up by the Swans during last year's trade period.

A hamstring injury to Matt Spangher has now given Walsh an opportunity in the Swans' forward line and he is looking forward to seeing if he is ready for the step up to senior level.

"I do feel ready, but you won't really know until you play a proper AFL game," Walsh told sydneyswans.com.au.

"These few weeks in the NAB Cup are great preparation for that.

"I just have to work as hard as I can and get all the structures right and play the way the Swans want me to play so I can put myself up for selection for those AFL games that come around.

"Ever since I was traded all I've been looking forward to is getting into the games.

"After such a tough pre-season it's nice now to get to the games and use the fitness base you've built up over those few months.

"All the boys are in good form and they've worked really hard, so it's a nice reward now to try to put it all together."

There is plenty of competition for spots in the Swans' forward line, with centre half-forward Sam Reid just about the only player that knows for sure he will line up in the front half in round one.

Adam Goodes is rotated through the forward 50m, but the likes of Gary Rohan, Mitch Morton, Ben McGlynn, Jarred Moore, Jesse White and Spangher - when he returns from injury - are all in contention for forward roles.

Walsh, who missed last week's intra-club match with a minor foot problem, will see limited minutes in the games against St Kilda and Geelong.

But there will be some nerves when he does run onto the field.

"There will be nerves playing against my old team and being my first hit-out with the Swans," he said.

"But if you weren't nervous I suppose there'd be something wrong.

"I just want to get down there and see what happens. I'm playing for the Swans now and I'm sure they (St Kilda) won't treat me any differently either.

"I'm sure it'll be fun to come up against some of the guys that I played with for those two years and I'm looking forward to it."

Swans coach John Longmire is also keen to see the Irishman in full flight.

"We'll give him a taste," he said.

"It gives us an opportunity to have a look at him and keep working on some things we know he needs to do in the coming weeks."

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

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