LEWY Taylor is fully fit after spending his first season at Sydney with a foot problem.
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The Terang Mortlake export had a pin inserted in his foot after breaking his fifth metatarsal in the Swans' last-round loss to his former club Brisbane in September.
He played nine matches in the shortened 17-game coronavirus-impacted season, including the final three games.
Taylor, 26, said the issue was gradually "getting worse and worse" before it "snapped in half".
"I think we went away for the (COVID) break after round one," he told The Standard.
"When we got back we had to train in small groups. We were training on different surfaces and different grounds. We were training in groups of eight.
"It started to come on a bit after that. I just noticed a bit of pain in the bone.
"It was a hot spot but I tried to manage it because when I was 17 I had the same when I was with the (Geelong) Falcons.
"I was able to get through most of that season so I thought I'd be able to do the same thing.
"It snapped against Brisbane funnily enough in the first 10 minutes."
Taylor is confident he can return to his best and push for a spot in the Swans' forward line.
"Now it's feeling really good and once they put the pin in there, it's really strong," he said of his foot.
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"I have the same one in my left foot as well. It must be the way I run or change direction. My feet should be all good now."
Taylor, who has played 121 AFL games, expects to return to the field via a practice match against cross-town rival GWS Giants next weekend.
Sydney starts its AFL season against Brisbane at the GABBA on Saturday, March 20.
The Swans' reserves will play in the new VFL competition which encompasses Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. It starts on April 17.
"How we're going to work it is we're going to play the Giants (in practice matches) for the first four weeks (of the AFL season)," Taylor said.
"We actually have them round one in the VFL as well. We'll get to know them pretty well."
Taylor said Sydney was building an impressive list and there was "a lot of competition for spots".
"I'd like to squeeze in there at some point throughout the year and try and contribute," he said.
The Mortlake-raised Taylor has settled in Marobula with his partner Tee and enjoys spending time with his new teammates.
"Once you get through that first six months and settle in and build some relationships, it makes it a bit easier," he said.
"I suppose it's the same for any job to be honest, if you're starting new it just takes a bit of time.
"It is similar to Brisbane in a way. Guys are moving from all over the country to play football so you get that same feeling."
Home ties remain strong for Taylor whose youngest brother Lachie, 13, goes to Mortlake College and is training with Camperdown's junior football teams.
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