THE Swans are set to give teenager Craig Bird his debut against St Kilda with the young midfielder crediting his father for his career rise.  

Bird, 19, grew up in Nelson Bay on the north coast of NSW - a region not traditionally an AFL stronghold in comparison to the south of the state. But his footy-playing dad made the difference.

“I come from an area that's pretty big on rugby league and soccer. But I was lucky to have a pretty supportive family. My dad got me into AFL and he's probably someone I owe this to,” Bird said.

His father is Steve Bird who previously turned out for Port Adelaide in the SANFL. ”He's sort of my personal coach - always has been growing up. Even if I think I've played all right he puts me back in line and he points out a few things that I did wrong,” Bird said.

The powerfully built midfielder is one of five new faces in the Swans line-up for Saturday's clash with the Saints. Heath Grundy, Kieren Jack, Jarred Moore and new signing Marty Mattner are also set to start.

“I probably didn't have too many high expectations coming into the season but I had a few okay trial games but it probably was only in the last couple of weeks that I thought I was a major chance,” said Bird.

Bird will play in the No. 14 jumper made famous by club legend Paul Kelly and triple Brownlow Medallist Bobby Skilton. And he said the pressure of wearing the iconic club number has not affected him.

“I've coped with it well. A lot of people say it's a lot of pressure but it's a massive honour. I don't think about it too much though.”

This mental strength along with the 19-year-old's ball-winning ability and pace has impressed coach Paul Roos.

“He's a pretty composed kid. He's a good inside player but he's got some good pace and he can use the ball well,” Roos said.

“He's really that midfielder we're looking for.

“To play the first game of the year as a recent draft pick is a very, very good effort. He's a quality player but Saturday night's his first game so we're not going to get too carried away.”

Bird's elevation has reinvigorated the Swans list ahead of the season opener on Saturday night at Telstra Dome. And it has Roos harking back to the start of the club's five-year finals run.

“It's a little like going into the unknown a bit, which is exciting. In a sense, it's like in 2003 where we don't really know ourselves what to expect.

“It's exciting that we're picking them on form and not having to take a punt on some young kids for the first round.”