SYDNEY Swans recruit Mitch Morton hopes a focus on the defensive side of his game, coupled with a new-found maturity, will allow him to flourish at his third AFL club.

Morton joined the Swans on Monday, traded from Richmond in return for pick No.79 in the NAB AFL Draft.

It's the second time Morton has been moved on by a club after he was traded from West Coast with just 12 games to his name in 2007.

Despite finishing in the top-two of the Tigers' goalkicking in 2008 and 2009 and missing just six matches, the former Claremont recruit lost his way over the past two seasons, playing just 21 games.

Now the 24-year old is preparing to take full advantage of his latest lifeline, believing he is yet to peak as a footballer.

"I'm grateful for the opportunities I've been given in the AFL, but I don't think until recently I've been mature enough to make the most of them," Morton told sydneyswans.com.au.

"I probably haven't had a good enough couple of last pre-seasons and that's floated into my football.

"I probably haven't had a good enough all-round game.

"You know that if you play for Sydney you're going to have to be sound defensively. I think that's something that holds teams in good stead in the finals, and that's why Sydney has played finals most years and have definitely impacted the finals for a long time."

While Morton, who was tried successfully on a wing when playing for Richmond in 2010, hails the Swans' defensive focus, he still understands his position is firmly in the front half.

"At times I've been good offensively. At times I've been good defensively. But I've never really been putting those whole games together, basically because I haven't been fit enough," Morton said.

"I feel like I'm now starting to get the fitness base I need to be able to play the role defensively and offensively - the way that mid-sized forward role needs to be played."

Morton will join former teammates Mark Seaby and Matt Spangher at the club and is excited by by the Swans' renowned ability to develop players.

"It's sort of a clean slate with everything," Morton said. 

"Sydney is a club that everyone admires. The way they back it up every year, even when they seem to be going through transitions with their list and adding new players to the team, they're always just so competitive.

"I'm looking forward to moving up [to Sydney], meeting the guys, having a  massive pre-season and trying to impress everyone with my work-rate and what I've done so far during the break."