New Sydney Swans recruit Tom Hickey is settling into life in the red and white, as he prepares for his first season with the Sydney Swans.

“Sydney have always been a club that I’ve admired from afar, just the way they go about it. They’ve been so welcoming,” Hickey said.

The 201cm ruckman enjoyed a strong performance in the Community Series clash against GWS, finishing with 26 hit outs.

Sydney got off to a slow start in the game but outscored the Giants to recover in the third term, before eventually going down by 28 points.

Hickey said he was impressed with the way the team recovered from their opening half.

“Our third quarter was really positive, we were challenged and that’s all you can ask in a pre-season game is to get challenged and fight back.

“It gives everyone a lot of faith in our game plan and the way we want to play. We went back to the way we wanted to play and started to play some good footy and get some scores on the board.”

01:32

Despite the loss, the veteran recruit said the club can take a lot away from the match.

“I think the most pleasing thing is those young guys, the 19 to 22-year-olds who stepped up – Errol (Gulden), Logan (McDonald), Braeden Campbell all putting their hand up this year to play round one footy. You can’t ask for much more as a team.”

Hickey said he is looking forward to playing alongside Lance Franklin when the key forward makes a return to football.

“You put Lance back in any team and they’re instantly better. Having some good leaders back in the team is really going to help.”

Prior to joining the Swans, Hickey played 102 games in his career with Gold Coast, St Kilda and the Eagles.

As footy returns to Sydney in 2021, a Sydney Swans membership will be your best ticket to the game.

Join the club.