THE first competitive game of any year is always a highly anticipated affair, but Sydney Swans utility Matthew Laidlaw is more excited than most about Sunday’s first-round NAB Cup clash against Port Adelaide.

It marks a new beginning for the 22-year-old, who was restricted to just six reserves games last year by knee and hamstring injuries.

His horror injury run robbed him of the chance to add to his solitary AFL match, which came in round 13, 2007 against Geelong at Skilled Stadium.

Coming into his fourth season on the Swans’ list, Laidlaw is keen to make up for lost time.

“The first couple of years, I eased into it and was named emergency a little bit, and then I played that game [against Geelong],” he said.

“Since then, I’ve been injured. It’s been really frustrating and I’m just looking forward to trying to break into the side this season.”

The former Oakleigh Chargers junior said his extended stint on the sidelines had rekindled his passion for the simple joy of playing football.

The support of his teammates who also found themselves among the walking wounded had been invaluable.

“We stuck together and once you’re out here training again, you just enjoy it so much more because you missed it so much,” he said.

“When you’re away from the main group, it just drags on forever and this pre-season’s just gone really quick. I can’t believe we’re playing games already.”

Laidlaw looks to have timed his run well, with greater opportunities now available for the Swans’ young players after a raft of changes to the senior playing list.

Coach Paul Roos listed him in a group of players expected to make an early impact this year and Laidlaw couldn’t be happier.

“I’ll start down back this weekend, but they said I might play up forward as well. Wherever they put me, I’m happy, as long as they put me on the ground,” he said.

“I know I’ve got the support of the coaches; I’ve just got to show them what I know I can do and, hopefully, that position becomes mine.”

Dream Team watch – Matthew Laidlaw is rated an $86,600 midfielder in Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009.