Sydney Swans ruckman Mike Pyke in action against GWS Giants in round one. Picture: Phil Hillyard. Source: The Daily Telegraph
Mike Pyke with wife Florencia and son Jorge. Source: The Daily Telegraph
FATHERHOOD clearly agrees with Mike Pyke.
Just a fortnight after the birth of his first child, Jorge, Pyke kicked off the new season with another high-quality performance to go with his grand final heroics.
But a challenge looms on the horizon with star recruit Kurt Tippett set to make his debut in round 13.
Two big men (Pyke and Mumford) have worked well for the Swans but will three be a crowd for John Longmire?
Pyke is facing the challenge in his usual style and doing his very best to make it as hard as he can for Longmire to drop him.
"Whether there is room for another tall on the ground I'm not sure but that's not my job to worry about that either," Pyke told The Daily Telegraph.
"It's not in my mind at the moment.
"I think like any time when the team is being selected they typically select 22 players who are in the best form.
"I don't think it matters who is on the team sheet - if you're not playing well you're not playing anyway."
Pyke has been confounding everyone since he arrived in Sydney in 2008, having never even seen a game of Aussie rules live - let alone played one.
In 2009 Sydney brought in Eagles premiership player Mark Seaby along with Shane Mumford.
No sooner has Pyke seen Seaby off and now he's presented with another challenge to his place in the team in the form of Tippett.
"Horse (Longmire) said last year we'd never play two genuine ruckmen the same side and we did that for 18 straight games with Mummy," Pyke said.
"He might say no to three guys playing in the ruck, he might say no to that too.
"The game is developing as well - what is required two years ago is now completely different."
Pyke's effort in the grand final is now part of Swans folklore.
When John Longmire wanted to take a ruckman off for substitute Luke Parker he subbed Shane Mumford. The Canadian rucked solo and finished with 16 disposals, six marks and 29 hit-outs.
"Like all of us it gives you the belief your game can stand up on the biggest stage," Pyke said.
"Last year we had an even contribution from everyone; there were a lot of players who had really good grand finals."
But even after his grand final success Pyke isn't getting carried away with where he is as a footballer.
"I haven't hit the 50-game milestone yet," he said.
"You read that key position players take a little time to develop and key position players from Canada with a rugby background will probably take more time."
Giants players will wear black armbands and their banner will carry a special message paying tribute to Port Adelaide footballer John McCarthy this weekend.
It is the first time Port will play at their home ground AAMI Stadium since his death on an end of season trip in September.
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