“It’s great to have that security especially after the Swans have given me an opportunity coming down from Gunnedah all those years ago in the Swans academy,” Naismith told club media.

“It’s been a very stressful time talking about [the deal] but it has lifted a weight off my shoulders and it’s great to be here.”

The ruckman, who debuted with the Swans against Richmond last year, is tipped to replace an injured Mike Pyke who is unlikely to return from a protracted knee complaint.

Naismith is battling injury burdens of his own, the latest being a bout of Glandular Fever earlier this year.

“My first year [at the club] was a bit stagnant with injury, my second year I put together a full season of playing and this year [third] has been a bit interrupted with the Glandular Fever,” he said. 

“And coming back from that, I had an overtraining injury.

“That’s halted my end of season.” 

Watching his clubmates play out the final rounds of 2015 has been “very frustrating”, he added.

“Round eight I was on the cusp but then struck down with injury. 

“It’s been unfortunate but that’s footy, you can’t really help it, I just have to do what I can off the field to get back there.” 

Health gripes might have put the brakes on this year’s campaign for the 23-year-old, but Naismith is doing his best from the sidelines to lift his fourth-ranked Swans to a successive grand final appearance.

“My energy around the group is what I feel I need to bring, especially being out of the team on game day,” he said.

“... creating a good atmosphere and using my knowledge around the team, especially with younger guys, seeing as it is my third year, I have to take on a leadership role.”

The young star was looking forward to a tough pre-season in readiness for a year of football in 2016.