Spangher, who played 26 games for the Eagles after debuting in 2008, said the chance to pin down a position in the backline was something he was excited about.
"That's what I'm certainly hoping for (to play down back)," he told afl.com.au last week.
"Having said that, nothing will come easy, I've got to fight for my spot just like everyone else.
"We've got some quality players and particularly some quality players coming back from injury, so if they get up I'll have to do well to hold my spot if I do start there," Spangher said.
After being delisted by the Eagles at the end of last year, Spangher was tipped to be given another chance in the system by Hawthorn, where he was training in the lead-up to the NAB AFL Draft.
When the Swans swooped with pick 73, Spangher was pleasantly surprised.
"My manager had mentioned that they had looked at me, but I had never spoken to them directly. I was training at Hawthorn for a couple of weeks and had considered them to be my best option, so I was pretty happy when the Swans read out my name," he said.
"It's been sensational so far, and though it’s a big change - both as a city and club - I think it was the change I needed and the club has welcomed me with open arms," the 23-year-old said.
Spangher's athleticism, combined with his build - he stands 195cm and weighs in at 95kg - will make him a difficult defender to overcome, and he said he was happy to play anywhere in defence.
"That key-back position, be it up the ground or at full-back, is something that I'm getting ready for at the moment. I think that's what they're looking for me to do," he said.
Though he did not debut until 2008, Spangher's first season in the AFL system was 2006, when the Eagles beat Sydney by one point in the Grand Final.
Adjusting to being a Swans player, after such a fierce rivalry only a few years ago, had been interesting.
"It's a little strange. I feel like I was somehow linked to the Swans - I played my first game against Sydney in 2008, and the rivalry was obviously great a few years back," Spangher said.
"And just the other day we were getting our team photos done and putting on the red jumper felt a bit odd, but very nice.
