Despite injuries to both his knees – the first in 2007 requiring a 12-month rehabilitation – Swift remained at the forefront of recruiters' minds, eventually being taken by West Coast at pick No.20 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft.
The combination of undeniable talent and two knee injuries meant Swift was always going to be judged as a risk or a bargain at this year's draft, but the 18-year-old said he was now ready to address the issue on the AFL stage.
"I personally think I could possibly be ready," Swift said on Friday.
"I haven't sat down and talked to anyone; that's one of my high priorities at the moment, just to see where they think I'm at from a club perspective.
"But I'm feeling really confident with [the knee] and it is pretty much feeling 100 per cent.
"I haven't been given any restrictions by the doctor, so I've been given the all clear to hit it as hard as I can."
Swift remains curious as to the heights his football could have reached in the past two years if injury had been avoided, but the Claremont junior said he was flattered to remain highly-rated by AFL clubs.
"I guess it's very flattering and very humbling to be spoken of that highly given my circumstances," he said.
"It would have been interesting to see how I would have gone, not in terms of the draft but in terms of my footy if I had have been able to play the last few years.
"It's a bit frustrating when you can't go out there and prove yourself, and people are saying things about you – whether they be good or bad. You don't really know how to react because you can't go out there and prove them wrong."
Swift said he hadn't set himself any specific goals in terms of when he plays AFL football, and would take direction from the club on what to aim for.
But the ball-winning midfielder said he drew inspiration from Geelong star Joel Selwood's rapid rise after entering the 2006 draft with a similarly suspect knee.
"I talked to Joel during the year and got a bit of support from him," Swift said. "It was good to have that person to relate to, and seeing how well he's gone this year he's been one of my idols who I look up to.
"He's definitely given me a lot of confidence.
"Given my situation I haven't set too specific goals, just because it's probably a bit unrealistic to set myself goals when I don't know what the club's thinking.
"I think I'll leave that to the club and consult with them as to what I should be aiming for."
