The 208cm (6 foot 10 inches in the old scale) giant completed his first year with the 2012 premiers but it was a year he would rather forget off the paddock.

Early in the year he broke a thumb and tore ligaments and then battled chronic tendonitis of the knee before getting back on the paddock in Round 20 to help win the Eastern Conference premiership, before going down to the Brisbane Lions in the reserve grade clash a week later.

With injury hopefully now behind him, the 20-year-old will be back in full training on November 8 as the Swans gear up for what is shaping as potentially one of the Sydney club’s most exciting season.

With last year’s recruit Kirk Tippett making a successful return to the paddock from injury and the $10 million, nine-year signing of former Hawthorn superstar, Lance “Buddy” Franklin, the red and whites are understandably confident of a bold showing in 2014.

For Nasimith, as one door closes another opens.

The move of Shane Mumford to Greater Western Sydney  to allow Franklin to fit under the salary cap means the club will be looking for a big, strong, tall ruckman to fill the gap.

This could be Naismith’s time to shine.

It has been a whirlwind year for Naismith who has packed extra meat and muscle  onto his huge frame under the guidance of the Swan’s coaching and nutrition staff.

“I’ve learned a lot this year off the field,” said Naismith.

“I learned how to train properly, look after myself, the correct way to work out in the gym and in the process I have shed a lot of fat.”

He now tips the scales at 105kg but is still growing.

The tallest Swan in the club he knows only full well that Mumford’s departure is his opportunity.

“It’s about attitude to everything – the game, training, your own body and everyone around you,” he added.

“If I keep improving, stay healthy and do the right thing on the training paddock and the field, well, we will see how the year pans out.”