AS HE prepares to lead the Sydney Swans' ruck division for the next fortnight, Mike Pyke says he is a significantly better player than the raw rugby union convert who took the field in 2009.

While Pyke played eight senior games as support for Darren Jolly last season, he said time spent in the Swans' reserves developing his skills had proven invaluable.

He was consistently among the reserves' best in the first four rounds to earn a senior call-up when Mark Seaby suffered a broken ankle.

While the Swans were on the wrong end of a 67-point drubbing, Pyke acquitted himself well with 13 possessions and 18 hit-outs.

"A year ago, I was down at Geelong in round seven, at the same time of the year and the difference to how I felt on the field was remarkable," he said.

"I felt a lot more comfortable in my position. I wasn't getting caught going to the wrong areas and I just feel a lot more comfortable on the ground. I feel like I'm a much more developed player."

Pyke said his time in the reserves, where he played in the ruck and across centre half-back, had given him much more opportunity to test his skills under match pressure.

As the 26-year-old's ability to execute passes and make good decisions improved, so too did his teammates' willingness to use him around the ground.

"Essentially, you have to build confidence in your teammates so they use you around the ground," he said.

"The more grabs you start taking, the more targets you're hitting with your foot in practice or on game day, the more confidence they have in you and they'll use you more.

"It just takes time for people to build trust and I think I'm getting there with our guys."

The departure of Darren Jolly at the end of 2009 left the Swans with a dearth of experienced ruckmen but that void was quickly filled by new recruits Seaby and Shane Mumford.

As one of the ruckmen shuffled down the pecking order by the duo's arrival, Pyke admitted to some natural disappointment.

"That was obviously a tough pill to swallow, but I completely understand it. I'm a year into the sport and they can't predict my development," he said.

"I just took the same approach as I did when I first arrived. You've just got to improve all the time and do everything you can to improve. That means listening to the coaches, doing a bit extra out on the ground and that's what I've continued to do. I've got a lot of improvement left in me, that's for sure."

With Seaby set to miss around three months as he recovers from ankle surgery, the door has opened for Pyke to enjoy an extended stint in the senior side if his form holds up.

And the affable Canadian is keen to make the most of every moment as he continues to learn his adopted game.

"People still don't know what to expect from me and I guess I don't know what to expect from myself, either. I'm still learning the game; I've only been playing for just over a year now," he said.

"The way I see it, I played eight games last year and played against some good ruckmen. Now it's just a matter of doing it more and spending more time on the ground. I'm looking forward to it."