World Footy News

The Sydney Swans' Canadian Rugby Union recruit, Mike Pyke, is continuing to impress in only his second season of Aussie Rules. After being elevated off the rookie list to debut in 2009, Pyke has added 6 games to his 8 AFL matches last year.

With injuries and suspension to other ruckmen the former Rugby International was thrown into the deep end earlier this year, manfully leading the Swans' ruck but struggling to exert sufficient influence. He is now back in a more appropriate role, supporting Sydney's Shane Mumford, but often taking on 50% of the rucking duties. Averaging 17 hitouts along with 2 marks, 2 tackles and 7 disposals is a pretty impressive return in just his second year at AFL level which is also only his second year ever in Australian football.

The 200cm, 104kg athlete is coming to the end of his contract and although the 26 year old is not ruling out a return to Rugby, he's hoping for a contract extension - it seems highly likely it will be offered.

Pyke told The Age that "I will find out in the next sort of while where the club sees me and hopefully they will want to keep me on and that's what I want to do''. He said, "I suppose you can never turn your back on where you come from, so I wouldn't discount going back to rugby".

Former Swans ruckman Darren Jolly, now at Collingwood, goes head to head with Pyke this weekend and told afl.com.au, "I’ve kept an eye on [Pyke] and he’s going really well. He had all the attributes - obviously a big jump and he’s big and strong. He just had to learn the tricks and the craft and where to run around the ground, and he’s slowly picking it up".