Backing local champions. - neafl

neafl article
By Natasha Lorenz
PYKE THE DUAL
ATHLETE
8
Mike Pyke is certainly
showing his potential
after moving to
Australia in 2009 to
start his AFL career,
after representing
Canada in Rugby
Union.
When Pyke was handed the
opportunity to play with the
Swans he saw it as a step
forward in his sporting career
and jumped at the chance.
“I think it was just a great
opportunity to play a great
sport in a great country. It was
something that I wanted to do
that I did not want to regret not
trying later on in my life,”
Pyke said.
After being involved in the
sport for the past three years
he does see some difference
in representing your country
in Rugby Union and playing for
the Sydney Swans.
“It was a completely different
experience, obviously representing
your country is a very
special thing but it was equally
as special to have all your hard
work pay off trying to make my
transition into AFL.
It was a great feeling running
out onto the SCG for the
Richmond game in round six in
my first year,” Pyke said.
After debuting for the Swans
in 2009, he has since gone on
to play another 27 matches
and has scored 5 goals during
that time. Pyke
can see improvements
in his game
every week.
“I can see
improvements
every game which
is encouraging so
it does not really
matter if I am playing
in senior competition
or NEAFL it is great
just to be playing
AFL,” Pyke said.
Pyke tore his quad
when the Swans
Image: Slattery Media
played the Western Bulldogs
at Manuka Oval this year and
is returning for the first time
this weekend for the Swans
Reserves.
“I am just taking
it week by week,
hopefully I will get
through this week
and build on my
performance and
give myself a chance
to play the last
couple of rounds or
fortunately enough
in a final,” Pyke said.
With the return of Pyke the
Swans Reserves will be hoping
that they can win against
the Queanbeyan Tigers as the
finals draw closer.
With a new coach at
the helm Pyke is
hoping Henry Playfair
will lead them
into the finals.
“I think the work that coach
Playfair has put into the team
is helping, he is doing a great
job taking over the reins this
year and going towards the
finals we are taking it very
seriously” Pyke said.