SYDNEY SWANS coach John Longmire believes Matt Spangher could prove valuable insurance for co-captain Craig Bolton and become the latest player to rebuild an AFL career in the harbour city.

The Swans used pick 73 in Thursday night's NAB AFL Draft to recruit the tall defender, who was delisted by West Coast after 26 games.

Longmire, entering his first year as senior coach, said his club was mindful of its ageing defence as well as the challenge awaiting Bolton, who was limited to five games by an achilles injury in 2010.

"I just think in the end some of our defenders are getting older and he's 23, so from that point of view you're always managing your list and trying to look down the track and making sure that it's not just about the short-term," Longmire told afl.com.au of Spangher.

"We think with Matt it isn't just about the short-term. He can play senior football obviously.

"We just like to add to areas in our club where we think need some more assistance, and with Matty Spangher he's 195cm, a fantastic athlete and competitive.

"There's some pretty good boxes he ticks, so we think pick 73 was well worth it."

Longmire said the club had spoken with Spangher's manager, who confirmed the Victorian would be prepared to move to Sydney even though he had been training with Hawthorn.

"From that point of view we were quite happy to grab him," he said.

"We think he's still got some improvement in him and we hope we can get the best out of him."

The Swans have proved a successful destination for recycled players in recent seasons, with Josh Kennedy (Hawthorn), Ben McGlynn (Hawthorn), Martin Mattner (Adelaide), Shane Mumford (Geelong) and Rhyce Shaw (Collingwood) winning regular selection in the senior side.

Injuries kept Mark Seaby (West Coast) and Daniel Bradshaw (Brisbane Lions) from having a similar impact in 2010, but those players should be given that opportunity next year.

Longmire also said Bolton was on track for the start of the 2011 season.

The Swans progressed to a semi-final in the backman's absence this season, but Longmire highlighted the 30-year-old's importance to the side.

"Craig's confident that he'll be fine," he said.

"He's running again now. He's at the point [where] he's confident that he'll be right for round one.

"Two years ago he's an All-Australian centre half-back, so we're really confident that he's going to be OK."