Ex-Richmond forward Mitch Morton hopes improved maturity and fitness will help him join Sydney’s long list of success stories with recycled AFL players.

A player of undoubted talent, 25-year-old forward Morton has accumulated 71 games and 105 goals during stints at West Coast and the Tigers without fulfilling his potential.

Along with another off-season recruit, ex-St Kilda man Tom Walsh, Morton will debut up front for Sydney in Friday’s NAB Cup games against St Kilda and Geelong.

Morton admitted on Tuesday his career had been inconsistent but felt well-placed to turn that around with the Swans.

He said he’d taken longer to mature than most players, but took heart from the performances of a number of late-blooming players around the league.

“I’ve probably matured a bit the last 12 months and grown up a little bit and my fitness testing has improved,” Morton said.

“I feel like I’m in a position now to really have a crack at it and I think the culture of the club has helped everyone that has come up here.

“I think just the work rate that we show and the work rate we train with, I’m looking forward to taking that into games and playing with that higher intensity than I’ve probably ever played with before.

“I certainly think I’m in a position physically to play the best footy I’ve played and consistently.”

Morton took heart form the lengthy line of players who have boosted their careers by joining Sydney.

Among them are former Hawthorn duo Josh Kennedy and Ben McGlynn, who have the same manager as Morton.

Sydney coach John Longmire said another recruit, ex-Adelaide defender Tony Armstrong (knee) and utility Matt Spangher (hamstring), are both unlikely to be fit by the opening AFL round.

He also confirmed veterans Adam Goodes and Jude Bolton will play on Friday.