Swans coach John Longmire says 2009 draftee Byron Sumner was one of the young players to really impress in Saturday night’s pre-season games against Gold Coast Suns and GWS Giants.

Sumner played in both games and ran off the half back line.

“We’ve had some injuries to our defenders and we thought we’d try Byron there.  I thought he got better as the games went on and really gave us something different. He read the play well and got a bit of the ball,’’ Longmire said.

They were welcome words for Sumner, who was drafted at pick 54 in the 2009 draft.

He played in one pre-season Cup game in 2010, against Carlton at Blacktown, but that was his only senior appearance for the year as he spent most of the season in the reserves.

So this time Sumner, who was drafted from Adelaide, was determined to make the most of his chances.

“I felt really good. It was another opportunity for me to put my foot in the door.’’

Sumner was drafted as a running midfielder but has put on more than 10kgs since he arrived at the club and is being groomed as a defender.

“I never thought I’d play in defence but I really enjoy coming off the backline creating play and setting up a few goals,’’ Sumner said, surrounded by his family who had driven from Adelaide to support him and watch him play.