Riley Bice has ample inspiration as a mature-age AFL recruit at Sydney.
In his third senior game on Saturday night, the 24-year-old defender starred as the Swans mauled North Melbourne 18.9 (117) to 8.4 (52) at Marvel Stadium.
Standing near him on the half-back line was former captain Dane Rampe, who was 22 when he debuted and has now played 255 games for Sydney.
Brett Kirk was also 22 when finally cracked a senior game, going on to captain the Swans as well and become one of their most revered players.
A bargain-basement recruit with pick No.41 in last year's national draft, Bice looked like an established player against the Kangaroos as he racked up a team-high 26 possessions and seven inside 50s.
He was high among Sydney's best as they overcame a significant injury list to maul North.
"The thing with Riley is, ever since he got to the football club, he's wanted to learn and get as fit and as conditioned as he possibly can for AFL level," coach Dean Cox said.
"Head down, he worked as hard as he possibly could and wanted to learn and be a sponge."
Bice came down from country Albury last year and starred for Werribee in the VFL, attracting Sydney's interest.
His raking left-foot kick stood out on Saturday night as the Swans had too much polish for North with their ball movement.
It followed their win over Fremantle in Perth a fortnight ago, and then the bad news that Tom Papley had added to their injury problems with a six-week lay-off because of a heel problem.
"Two strong wins on the road, for a young group, is really pleasing for a coach," Cox said.
"I was really proud of the group. Going through the week, getting news about Tom - especially the young ones - we had only a couple of our leaders out there tonight.
"So the response they gave was really pleasing, off a bye, to be able to rally and play the way they did." .
Another standout for Sydney was Will Hayward, who joined Joel Amartey in kicking four goals.
Hayward had only managed three goals from his first three games this season.
His defensive work was also elite, snaring Cameron Zurhaar in the last term with a run-down tackle when the Swans were well ahead.
"His defensive intent and pressure on the ball carrier, to give himself multiple opportunities, was really good," Cox said of Hayward.
"That's what we reward after the game," he added, referring to the Zurhaar tackle. "That's what we speak heavily about. Those acts, all the players do, no matter the time or the state of the game."
