Injury ruined Craig Bird’s 2010 season, but the man who wears the Swans famous number 14 was rejuvenated in 2011.

He played 22 matches in a variety of roles, but excelled in his new found role as a tagger.

While ranking fifth overall at the Swans for tackles and 10th for disposals, Bird also did the job on some of the competitions best midfielders including Andrew Embley, Trent Cotchin and Marc Murphy.

He also showed his prowess as a forward against the Western Bulldogs in round 18 when he drifted forward and kicked four classy goals.

Bird spoke to sydneyswans.com.au about his season…

How do you sum up your season?

I suppose it was good just to get back on the field this year after missing most of last year. I was pretty happy to play 22 games in the end. I guess my form at the start of the year I was pretty pleased with. Doing tagging roles this year was completely different, but I enjoyed in it. Towards the end of the year, some soreness hampered my form a little bit and I was a little but disappointed with how the year finished.

Did you feel your game improved this season?

My fitness improved this year. I’d never done tagging jobs before so to do a few this year and to go okay in the midfield was a plus. Playing on some of the best players in the competition, I now know I can play through the midfield and compete with those blokes. I think I can play an attacking midfielder role as well, not just a tagger.

What was the highlight for you?

We had some good wins this year. Over against West Coast was a good win, and beating Geelong down in Geelong, I’d never come close to winning a game down there.

I also think just making the finals as well. I’d never played in a final until this year, and it was good to get a win. I was disappointed to lose the semi-final, but it’s just given me a taste for it. The performance in the Hawthorn game really burns.

What does the pre-season hold for you?

I’ve just got to be careful with managing my foot through the pre-season, so I can play next year without experiencing those problems. As individuals and as a team, we all need to improve.

Who impressed you most this year?

Luke Parker did really well in his first year playing in the midfield, and Sam Reid took a big step forward. Alex Johnson did a great job playing in a key defensive post.

What are you up to during the break?

Just heading back home to Nelson Bay and few other little trips around Australia here and there.