Lewis Melican is among a select group of AFL players at Sydney enjoying a more promising 2019 than 2018.
Melican's previous season was derailed by recurring hamstring injuries; he played the opening three rounds then wasn't sighted again.
It came after a cracked pelvis and broken thumb stalled the 22-year-old's development prior to an impressive debut season in 2017.
The key defender is now fully fit and on Friday night at the SCG will again be barking orders at veteran teammates, while playing on Essendon's most potent key forward, as the last-placed Swans seek a circuit-breaking victory.
Melican, now with 24 games under his belt, is relishing every match.
"Having had the injuries I'd had, I am looking at the positives in that. Just the fact I'm running around," Melican told AAP.
"Now I'm stringing games together and getting through games. I'm sure the wins will come ... we still have strong belief that we're a young team but a very good team."
Watching the struggles of fellow defender Alex Johnson, who last year was booked in for a sixth knee reconstruction shortly after his long-awaited AFL comeback, helped Melican maintain perspective.
"It was 'well he's got it a lot worse than me, I shouldn't really be complaining ... it's not the end of the world'. As bad as it sounds, that sort of helped me through it," Melican said.
"I'm a pretty optimistic person, so I was able to take it in my stride last year."
Melican established himself as one of the Swans' most highly rated youngsters in 2017, when he earned a Rising Star nomination for a brilliant performance on St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt.
But this season has nonetheless been a steep learning curve, with the Swans' defence undermanned and regularly under siege.
Sydney conceded 76 inside-50s during their last-start loss to Brisbane, seven short of the all-time record.
Melican has been forced to find his voice in the absence of injured defensive generals Jarrad McVeigh, Heath Grundy and Nick Smith.
"Luke Parker and Josh Kennedy, before each game they remind me they need that from me," Melican said.
"To take control down there, tell people where I need them and make sure I'm the loudest one down there and organising things.
"It's not something that comes naturally to me. Especially when I first got here, I was pretty quiet.
"It's definitely something I've worked on and improved but I still need to keep working on it."
