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Sydney ruckman Mike Pyke believes form not height should determine whether the Swans can squeeze Shane Mumford, prize recruit Kurt Tippett and himself into their AFL line-up.
The Canadian on Saturday returns to the MCG for the 2012 grand final rematch with Hawthorn having played 24 straight games.
Pyke believes he now belongs on AFL grounds and that his spot had been reasonably secure since his a good run of games from mid-2012.
The 29-year-old has made a sizzling start to the season, running third in the competition for contested marks and fifth in hitouts.
“I like to think as my career continues, I’ll continue to get better and continue playing my best footy,” said Pyke, who reached the 50-game milestone for Sydney last month.
Tippett isn’t available until round 13 due to the suspension he incurred because of a salary cap breach with Adelaide, but the 202cm forward-ruckman casts a big shadow.
Conventional AFL wisdom suggests three is a crowd where big men are concerned and there won’t be room for 198cm Mumford, 201cm Pyke and Tippett.
“I think sometimes people get a bit caught up on height,” Pyke said.
“I think the most important thing is that your best 22 is in form and I think typically they pick themselves that way.”
He was adamant Tippett’s arrival in Sydney hadn’t been the spur for his own fantastic form.
“I’m a reasonably driven person myself, without sort of external influence and I just try and improve every session,” Pyke said.
“It (Tippett’s arrival) is a coincidence, maybe it’s not.
“I think there’s always been a fair bit of competition in the big man spot at the club so it’s sort of continued with Kurt coming.”
The tag team ruckman combination of Pyke and Mumford has been a strong factor in Sydney’s 5-1 start to the season.
“I think we’re fortunate that we can sort of complement each other,” Pyke said.
“Sometimes I think we sort of get to bully on some of the guys who go alone out in the ruck.”
Pyke adopted the typical Swans low-key stance when asked about Saturday’s much-anticipated clash.
“Last year was really special for us, but this year realistically for us it’s four points,” Pyke said.
A former Canadian rugby international, Pyke was disappointed he wouldn’t be in Sydney for the British and Irish Lions Test against the Wallabies in July.
The Swans are away in Melbourne that weekend, but Pyke said he would definitely watch the series on television.
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