Sydney Swans ruckman Mark Seaby has commenced full training and has his sights set on a return for the Swans first NAB Cup matches on February 19.

Seaby - who was struck down with an ankle injury in round six of the 2010 season - completed his first full session with the main group today.

“I feel good. Training is a bit different to running laps so I think it will take me a few sessions to get used to it again. It’s a lot more enjoyable and I really looked forward to getting out and kicking the footy rather than just running around the oval,” said Seaby.

“I feel I can now start working on particular aspects of my game, things like my ruckwork and skills which I haven’t really been able to work on since the injury,” he said.

Though it has been a long road to return, the 26-year old has resisted letting his injury get the better of him.

“I’ve tried to take it in my stride, and sometimes with injuries if you get too frustrated it becomes really hard work. It’s easy to get frustrated when you have a few little setbacks along the way, but fortunately I haven’t had too many of those.

“I’ve just been trying to keep ticking the boxes every week…I came to the realisation that I had to get my rehab right, I’ve done that now and hopefully I’ll be right for the rest of the season," he said.

Despite his setback, Seaby believes he is in better shape now, than when he joined the Swans at the beginning of 2010.

He estimates at the same time last year he was completing only around 60 per cent of the main training session, as he battled injury, but says he is now at least a few weeks ahead of that stage. 

Thrilled to be back with a footy in hands, Seaby now has his sights firmly set on a return to competitive football.  

“I’m defiantly looking towards the NAB Cup. I’m hanging out just to play some footy again and that is the first chance, so that is the aim at the moment," he said.  

The Swans take on the GWS Giants and the Gold Coast Suns in the new round-robin style NAB Cup format on Saturday night, February 19 at Blacktown Olympic Park.