Towering Sydney star Kurt Tippett is relishing his extra ruck workload as the Swans add more flexibility to their forward structure.
Swans coaches challenged players in the AFL pre-season to take on a number of roles and forward Tippett has done it so well that he has emerged as the clear backup to first-choice ruckman Mike Pyke.
"The ruckmen seem to be getting bigger and bigger," Tippett joked on Thursday.
"It's a tough role to get used to, playing in the ruck and then going forward and it's something I really enjoy the challenge of."
With veteran Adam Goodes spending time out of the team, Sam Reid utilised as a swingman and boom rookie Isaac Heeney used up forward, Tippett said the Swans now had a pretty versatile forward structure.
"At times we've had a smaller lineup and used speed to our advantage," Tippett said.
"Then other times we've been able to play with Goodesy, Buddy (Franklin) and myself a bit taller, so I think it's a great mix at the moment and we've got plenty of avenues to goal, which is good."
Tippett believed he was benefiting from having a run of games at the start of the season for the first time since his move from Adelaide.
He didn't play his first game for the Swans in 2013 till round 13 because of suspension and injury delayed his start to the 2014 season till round eight.
This season, he has played the Swans' first six games and has already tallied more hitouts than in the last two seasons combined.
With key forward partner Lance Franklin held goalless last week, Tippett stepped up and bagged a personal season-high four majors against Melbourne.
"I'm enjoying playing both ruck and forward at the moment," Tippett said.
"It's a good role for myself and for the team and I think the most pleasing thing for me is being able to be out there and to play each week.
Assessing his form, Tippett said: "I think it's building."
"The momentum you build over the course of a season is what helps you play at a consistent level, and that's what I'm about."
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