In his first year in Sydney, Andrejs Everitt was a feature of the Swans early home and away matches, playing nine of the first 10 games of the season.

The 22-year old showed his versatility by playing mainly in defence, but also occasionally swinging forward with great effect - most notably kicking two crucial last quarter goals against West Coast in round 3, and then kicking the Swans first goal in three consecutive weeks from rounds 7 to 9.

After drifting in and out of the senior side during the middle stages of the season, Everitt suffered a calf injury at the beginning of July which restricted him to just two appearances in the reserves for the remainder of the season.

Andrejs spoke to sydneyswans.com.au about his first season with the Swans and the in-roads he wants to make in his game in 2012.    

How did you find things in your first year at the Swans?

It was good. It was obviously a bit frustrating towards the end of the year. I started off pretty well in the pre-season, playing some good football. Midway through the year a lack of confidence saw me in and out of the team, and I got injured in round 15 and couldn’t quiet get back for enough games to push for selection.

Overall, I’m very happy in a sense that I’m up here and enjoying my football, but from a playing perspective, it was a little bit down.

How was the transition moving up from Melbourne to Sydney?

It was quiet easy. All the boys are really acceptant, and the lifestyle and the weather’s a lot better than Melbourne, so that was definitely a bonus.

You started off the season with a run of games in the seniors, what were some of your highlights from the early rounds of the season?

Probably pulling the jumper on for the first time was really good, and the first win when you get drenched in Powerade was also quiet enjoyable. Obviously the West Coast game, and winning over there was the biggest highlight so far.

(In the West Coast game) I was finding it tough a down in defence early on in the game, and I got the call to go forward. I was a bit surprised, but had a little bit left in the tank, so I thought I’d have a crack. I was running around and was lucky enough to get on the end of a few good deliveries from the boys and kick a couple of goals.

Who have been the players who have impressed you with how they go about their football?

Probably Adam Goodes - everyone knows he’s a superstar, but just the way he goes about his football and his recovery is really professional. Dan Hannebery is another young person who is really good with that sort of stuff. Also Teddy Richards. As a backline player myself, for someone to look up to, Ted is always professional in how he goes about his business with his recovery.

What are the areas you are looking to improve in over the pre-season?

Probably my decision making will be one of the biggest things. Now that I’m a bit more of a versatile player, I’ll probably sit down and have a look at a few of the more versatile players within the AFL. Obviously, the fitness side of things as well. Footballers are getting a lot fitter every year, so you’ve got to keep up with the standards of the elite-fitness players in the AFL.

What are your plans for the upcoming break?

I’ll stick around here, and maybe go down to Melbourne and see my parents for a weekend or so. Then I head over the America for three weeks with my girlfriend, so I’m looking forward to that which will be a bit of fun.