SYDNEY Swans scholarship holder 18-year-old Nathan Gordon says this season is about "turning some heads" and, so far, he's off to a flying start. 
 
In early November the youngster won a 3km time trial on the first day of pre-season training, completing the course in 10.05 minutes. It was a field that included club champion Jarrad McVeigh.
 
Gordon joined the Swans last season and freely admits to lacking self-belief during his one year at the club. However, he believes the stand out performance on day one of pre-season made a bold statement ahead of his second season.
 
"At first I had no confidence whatsoever. I just felt out of my league," Gordon said.
 
"Last year I was really nervous out on the track and talking to some of the guys. I was really shy and you're always trying to impress.”
 
The teenager is still coming to grips with some of the sports science elements used at the Swans. At the time of interview, the youngster had just finished a cybex test which is an examination of the strength of a player's joints and muscles. The results were mystifying.
 
"I'm not sure, there were numbers everywhere on the results page," he said with a laugh.
 
Following a 2008 where he split his time between the Swans reserves and the NSW/ACT Rams, the Hills-raised teen said he was determined to start the new season on a more assured footing.
 
"I just wanted to come back and turn some heads, and show my endurance side of football," Gordon said.
 
"This year I'm starting to get to know all the players as well. The support of the club, it's just such a positive place to be. When you start training and all the guys get around you it's really good."
 
With a South Australian-born, Swans-mad father and a twin brother showing promise in one of the western Sydney leagues, Gordon is a Sydney boy and red and white through and through.
 
"Dad was always taking me to go watch the Swans play. He's always been a big fan."
 
Gordon's father coached his son in the basics of Australian footy from a young age before honing his skills with his local club, Baulkham Hills Falcons.
 
Needless to say, joining the club he supported as a kid was a massive thrill. And last season, Gordon was a key part of the Swans reserves premiership, where he bagged two goals and was one of the team's best in their one-point win over Belconnen last September.
 
As for role models, Gordon said he admires Jude Bolton and Amon Buchanan and learnt a lot from Benny Matthews, the club stalwart who played regularly in the reserves before retiring.
 
The 185cm, 80kg youngster can be played on the wing or up forward, but aims to be more a shaper of games as he grows as a footballer.
 
"I just want to execute my skills better and become more involved and have more of an impact on the game.
 
"This year I really just want to have a solid year with the reserves. I want to put on some kilos and start fresh in round one with the confidence that gives you rather than in, say, round 15.
 
"And try to turn some heads."