FIRST-year Sydney player Lewis Melican could not be happier at the Swans.
Melican was a surprise selection late in the rookie draft last December.
While the increase in training intensity was expected, it was the Swans playing group that caused the biggest surprise.
"The workload, obviously (was a shock), but probably the biggest thing that has shocked me is how inclusive the senior players are," Melican said.
"I was sort of expecting it to be a bit separated but they're real nice to everyone.
"First year players talk to senior players and it doesn't matter.
"I'm really enjoying that, it helps you out so much. You can learn a lot more off them than say you could off a first year player that's in the same boat as you."
Melican, 18, has enjoyed his first AFL pre-season to date.
"It's pretty good, pretty intense, a lot different to what I'm used to," he said.
"They're easing us into the program, all us first years, they're not just chucking us in the deep end too much."
