Swans rookie Sean McLaren is hopeful of making a NAB Challenge debut for the 2014 grand finalists when the competition begins next month.

The 19-year-old is yet to play at the top level after joining the club as the 17th overall pick in the 2015 rookie draft.

It could become a reality when Sydney play the Brisbane Lions in Coffs Harbour on March 6 in the opening round of the NAB Challenge.

McLaren said he hoped to get a spot in the squad but admitted he'd have no dramas working his way up from the Swans' NEAFL feeder club.

"I want to try and play the best games I can in the NEAFL and with the NAB Challenge coming up, hopefully I can get a game there," he said while visiting the Illawarra on Monday.

"Obviously I just want to play some consistent footy in the NEAFL and see where the year takes me."

The NAB Challenge will be the first chance for many players to kick a ball in anger after months of preseason.

For a rookie like McLaren it has been an eye-opening few months on the training field.

"Coming into the system I didn't really know what to expect. It has been a hard challenge but I have been loving every step of it so far," he said.

Born in New Zealand, McLaren played the majority of his junior career as a ruckman or forward but has since moved into the back line.

"I am a newly acclaimed defender," McLaren said.

"I haven't played much there but it has been good so far to challenge myself.

"I usually take a bit of time to adapt to the new roles, so I am still adapting, having played mostly ruck and forward the past four or five years.

"It has been a big change and I am looking forward to playing some footy in the back line."

McLaren, who was in Woonona as part of the Swans' community clinics, wasn't part of the Swans grand final losing side last season, having only joined in the off-season.

But the 197-centimetre defender still had a sound understanding of what playing in the red and white colours represented.

"Obviously, getting drafted to Sydney I knew about their history and the past couple of years the success they have had," he said.

"More importantly, I knew about their culture and how good a culture they have in the AFL. I think they were number one ranked in responses to their club culture. I was stoked to go to a club which had such a good support system.

"Coming into it now, I realise how they live up to that position in the AFL and they have exceeded the expectations I have had."