SYDNEY recruit Lewis Taylor had to wear a couple of hats during his stint in isolation.

Having driven back from New South Wales to be with his family in Mortlake in western Victoria, Taylor juggled roles while being away from the Swans.

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"I was helping my little brother Lachie out most days with his school work, so I was full-time footballer and part-time teacher there at one stage," Taylor told AFL.com.au.

"It wasn't too bad but I tell you what, I wouldn't like to be doing year seven again with some of the stuff in there but it was allright, we got by pretty well."

Taylor has been back at the Swans for a couple of weeks now, and is now two weeks off resuming his first season at Sydney.

The former Brisbane Lion crossed to the Swans at the end of last season after playing only five games in the senior side.

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It ended a 112-game career at the club, which included winning the NAB AFL Rising Star in an impressive 2014 campaign.

He left the Lions on good terms, but after being with the Lions during their battles, missed out on their return to the finals for the first time in a decade.

"I would have loved to be out there. I got in there and played some footy and only notched up five games which is a little bit disappointing, but I'm not someone who is going to get real salty and mope around and do that sort of thing," he said.

"I just went about my business and it was a fun year in the time that I played in the NEAFL too, it was great fun helping out some of the younger boys there and winning the Grand Final. There were a few positives to take out of it."

Looking for extra security, and a fresh challenge, Taylor met with Swans coach John Longmire and football boss Charlie Gardiner.

It was the only club he met during his process, before he joined the Swans in the Telstra AFL Trade Period.

"I was really impressed with what they spoke about and where they see the club heading, and how they saw me fitting into the line-up in how I could help out with the team," he said.

"I got to the end of the year and thought I'd sit back and have a look at where I was at and what's going to be best for me going forward for my football and I felt that was the right option at the time to make a move.

"It was a pretty easy decision really."

Working closely with assistant coach and former Swans captain Jarrad McVeigh over summer got Taylor ready for his round one debut for the club.

Heading to Adelaide Oval, the Swans got over the Crows by three points to kickstart their campaign before the COVID-19 break.

Taylor had nine disposals in his first outing, and the 25-year-old says he has plenty to give his new club.

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"I still feel like I've got something to offer which hopefully I can provide over the next few years. I'm going to work really closely with 'Macca', he really drives me, so hopefully he can get the best out of me along with all the coaches. They've given me a chance down here so I'd like to do that," Taylor said.

When the hard-working midfielder/forward was weighing his decision last year, the thought of playing at the feet of Lance Franklin crossed his mind more than once.

That will have to wait, though, with the champion forward set to miss at least half of the season after his hamstring injury this week.

"That was obviously something you think about, he's a superstar," Taylor said. "Hopefully I get a game in with 'Buddy' soon, it would be great."