IT’S TAKEN a year but young Sydney Swans midfielder Craig Bird is starting to get used to life as an AFL footballer.

An impressive total of 21 games in 2008 belied the fact that it was the 20-year-old’s first season on the Swans’ senior list.

Despite his accomplished efforts, Bird said he experienced the same nerves as any first-year player when it came to holding his place in the side.

"I guess it’s a bit more comforting that you’re in the side most weeks now, whereas last year I was playing for my spot every week," Bird said.

"I feel a bit more a part of the side this year, probably the same as Kieren [Jack] and Jarred Moore and those blokes.

"Hopefully we can continue to contribute as well as we have so far, and help the team go well this year."

An elite junior player, Bird dominated successive NAB AFL Under-18 Championship campaigns for NSW/ACT as a strong-bodied inside midfielder, winning All-Australian selection in 2006 and 2007.

The Swans signed him under the NSW/ACT scholarship program but some club recruiters had concerns about his ability to make the transition to the elite level.

He missed out as a bottom-aged player in 2006 before the Swans drafted him at No. 59 in 2007.

The Swans immediately showed their faith in their young recruit, handing him the famous No. 14 guernsey worn by Paul Kelly.

But disproving the external perception that he wouldn’t be able to make it in the AFL was his first priority.

"They were the question marks when I first didn’t get drafted as a 17-year-old but it’s something that I’ve worked pretty hard on," Bird said.

"Being in the AFL system, you’re training so often that your body shape’s just going to come naturally and your fitness improves as well with a couple of pre-seasons. It’s just taken time and I think I’m starting to reap the benefits now."

A fitter, stronger Bird is now looking to expand his repertoire of midfield skills to break the 'inside onballer' mould.

"The coaches thought my inside work was pretty good so they mainly wanted me to work on a bit of my outside stuff as well," he said.

"That goes with my fitness and my speed, so that’s something that’s been drummed into me as well – win a bit more of the outside footy as well, not just always inside."

The Newcastle native said it was a great privilege to be playing for an AFL club in his home state and his sole focus this season was to increase his contribution to the Swans’ success.

"Whether it’s winning the inside footy or the outside stuff, I just want to do my role and hopefully have a consistent performance across the board," he said.

"That’s going to be the key to our success this year – if we can back up most weeks and perform like we did on the weekend [against Carlton] and against Hawthorn."