Backmen often miss out on the plaudits they deserve but youngster Jack Maibaum received his fair share following his performance in Sunday's loss to North Melbourne.

With Heath Grundy, Dane Rampe and Aliir Aliir all missing from the Sunday's lineup, the Sydney Swans were stretched in defence with last year’s debutant Harry Marsh, emerging key Lewis Melican and first-year Maibaum relied upon to match the Roos’ tall timber.

While Marsh and Melican stood tall, it was third-round draftee in Maibaum who caught the eye of stand-in coach Brett Kirk.

He gathered seven disposals and two marks but it was his composure and combatitiveness against a more experienced Jarrad Waite which won over the coaches.

“I thought Jack Maibaum really handled himself well,” Kirk said in his post-match press conference.

“When you take Grundy and Rampe out of your back half it can expose you a little bit but I thought when Jack as down there he was a really reliable defender.

“He is only a young kid but he competes really hard and there are some points he can take away to learn from but we think we have really found one with Jack.”

Maibaum wasn't the only 2016 draftee to impress in the two-point loss at Coffs Harbour International Stadium.

Oliver Florent had no trouble finding the football, especially in the opening half, while his two first-quarter goals helping Sydney consolidate an early lead.

Darcy Cameron could also press for a debut sooner than first thought.

In place of Sam Naismith and Callum Sinclair, the 18-year-old Western Australian held his own with 12 hitouts while sharing the ruck work with Kurt Tippett (17 hitouts) against the Roos’ Braydon Pruess (21 hitouts).

Kirk says the big man is capable of playing in the Swans’ opening round against Port Adelaide if required.

“He was up against some really physical opposition today but he handled himself really well," Kirk said.

"You always want at least four or five ruckman up and going in your team because we know that things can change pretty quickly."  

Kirk is expecting a host of senior players to return for the Swans’ second JLT Community Series match against GWS in Blacktown including Grundy, Rampe and Lance Franklin.