THE RACE for the back-up ruck position at the Sydney Swans is on in earnest, with recruits Tom Derickx and Toby Nankervis determined to make it their own.

The departures of Shane Mumford (GWS) and Jesse White (Collingwood) in the off-season have paved the way for one of the Swans' big men to step into the breach, as support to Mike Pyke.

Derickx, who played two games in three seasons with Richmond, has his sights set firmly on winning the role.

"I'm going to put my hand up for the position and I'm going to learn a lot off Pykey as well," Derickx told sydneyswans.com.au.

"With a mature body and a couple of pre-seasons behind me, I think I’m ready for the step up (to senior football).

"I think I just need to compete hard with Pykey.

"I'm not here to be the second man, I'm here to compete with Mike and be the best I can be."

Derickx will face stiff competition from Nankervis, along with rookie Sam Naismith, for the role.

Nankervis was drafted by the Swans with pick No. 35 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft.

His major asset is his aggressiveness in the air, although he also has the capacity to make use of the ball at ground level.

The 19-year-old said missing out on being selected in last year's draft had steeled him in his desire to put together a consistent 2013 campaign.

Nankervis also received a strong talking to from Swans recruiter Kinnear Beatson during the middle of the year about lifting his fitness standards.

"I was over the moon when I found out I had been drafted and it’s just a childhood dream," Nankervis told sydneyswans.com.au.

"I worked by backside off (after missing out last year) and really wanted to take my game to the next level."

"I just worked really hard on my testing at the draft combine, and after all of that, I was really happy to hear my name on draft night."