Don’t expect Canadian Mike Pyke to do a traditional dance Tadhg Kennelly-style if Sydney win the AFL grand final on Saturday.

Kennelly’s Irish jig after he collected his winner’s medal was a highlight of the Swans’ 2005 grand final win.

But Pyke, another foreign success story for the Swans seven years later, won’t follow suit should Sydney overcome favourites Hawthorn.

“Some might say (I could do) a riverdance, but I don’t think I’ll be pulling that out,” Pyke told AAP.

Originally a rugby union player who represented Canada at the 2007 World Cup, Pyke came to Sydney in 2009 for a two-week trial.

The Swans took the gamble.

Pyke set himself to learning as much as he could about a game he’d never played.

This season, at 28, the experiment has become a success.

Pyke’s played in 17 matches as a ruck-forward for the Swans and improved markedly.

Foreign AFL successes have previously been from Ireland, and Pyke admits he was stunned with the reaction when he lined up for his first game.

“I certainly didn’t expect the fanfare,” he said.

“That said, I’ve really felt welcomed by the Australian people and obviously there’s been a fair bit of press.

“But I feel really good with it, and it’s nice that people accept me playing the game.”

If Pyke needed any more reminding how much he has been embraced by Swans fans, he got it during Friday’s grand final parade in Melbourne.

Groups of Sydney fans changed their “Go Swannies” chants to “Go Canada” as Pyke went past.

The grand final looms as Pyke’s pinnacle.

His family will be at the MCG.

It is being televised live in Canada, including Pyke’s hometown of Victoria, British Columbia.

Pyke believes the Swans’ approach to the game mirrors his own – gradual improvement over a season and results taking care of themselves.

“Ever since I arrived, I’ve never been really concerned too much about the (personal) results, just continuing to improve,” he said.

“That’s constantly what I’m trying to do. And that’s probably what the team’s trying to do – improve little by little.

“I’m not expected to go out and kick four goals on the weekend. I’m instructed to go out there and do my role as a player.”