DEFENDER Nick Smith was reluctant to move to Sydney when the Swans selected him in the 2007 AFL rookie draft.

A former Oakleigh Charger and Vic Metro representative in the under-18 national championships, Smith was a St Kilda fan growing up who had rarely ventured far from home.

But the teenager made the trip north to the harbour city and has gradually established himself in the Swans line-up.

He played two games in 2008, nine the following season and 16 in 2010 and so far, Smith has being selected in every Sydney Swans game this year.

Now 22 years old, the run-with player is enjoying life in Sydney and intent on playing his role as one of a nest of new Swans trying to extend the club's success.

"Initially I was a bit hesitant coming up, but I absolutely love it now," Smith said.

 "It's a really good lifestyle and it's a really good club too with really good people and all the guys are good fellas.

"Having the beaches and all that close by is really good as well.

"A lot of guys are from interstate so we all hang out together. We all go to movies together and all that stuff. I'm living with a couple of younger guys, Jed Lamb and Sam Reid, so we do a fair bit of stuff together as well."

When Smith made the move to Sydney in 2007, it was during a time of change at the AFL club.

The Swans had just contested back-to-back grand finals against West Coast, winning the 2005 flag before falling short the following year.

The team was still stacked with veterans when Smith arrived, led by Brett Kirk, Barry Hall, Michael O'Loughlin and Leo Barry.

All have since moved on, leaving Smith part of the new class along with fellow youngsters Kieren Jack, Craig Bird, Gary Rohan, Lewis Jetta and Reid.
 
"When you first come in and you've got that experience around you, you learn a lot about everything in footy," Smith said.

"You learn how hard you have to train, how hard you have to work, how committed you have to be.

"And then all the little things on the field that can help you in defence and attack.

"Then you've got young guys who are really exciting as well. We've got a lot of young guys coming through at the moment and that's all pretty exciting."

Smith is hard on his own performance, admitting he wasn't pleased with his form in last week's loss to Hawthorn or in the round-six defeat to Carlton.

But the left-footer feels he has improved on last season and, just like the Swans, is striving for greater consistency.

The Swans are keen to quickly move on from last week's loss to the Hawks when they tackle North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Smith expects to match-up with one of the Kangaroos' small or medium forwards, potentially the dangerous Lindsay Thomas.

"It's important we rebound from last week which was pretty disappointing," he said.

"We were a bit down last week and it doesn't matter who we're playing against, we want to be better than last week.

"I've been all right and just trying to improve on last year.

"(The Carlton game) was disappointing for myself and I didn't play too well, but when you play on those good players, if you're not up to it you're going to get beaten and that's pretty much what happened.

"I've slowly improved each year and when I first came to the club, they'd just played in a grand final and there was a lot of experienced guys around.

"As they move on, more spots open up for younger guys to get an opportunity, and I think I've improved as a player as well."