He’s the tough nut from East Fremantle that Sydney coach John Longmire told to “calm down” during the pre-season.

Chad Warner hasn’t taken a backwards step in his first summer as a Swan as he targets at round one debut.

The contested-ball beast and tackling machine, likened to West Coast premiership midfielder Jack Redden, is in the mix to be the next of WA’s draft crop to feature in the Marsh Community Series.

The Swans’ pre-season campaign gets underway against cross-town rivals Greater Western Sydney at Blacktown on Saturday.

“That’s exactly what I’m hoping for,” Warner told SportFM 91.3.

“I’m striving towards that (round one), it’s been my goal ever since I’ve got here.

“Hopefully off the back of the practice games we’ve had I can play well in the Marsh series. That will be my best chance of starting round one.”

Warner, who was drafted by the Swans with pick 39 in the national draft after a big year for the Sharks and WA under-18s, opened up about Longmire’s constructive criticism.

“It was before a little practice game against our teammates,” Warner revealed.

“Because I like to have a bit of a crack, he knew that too and just wanted me to make sure I knew what I was doing before going into the game so no one comes off second best.”

Longmire spoke glowingly of the Willetton junior in a recent interview with AFL.com.au, saying he loved his power and hardness at the contest.

The 18-year-old was one of five Sharks picked up in last year’s national draft alongside Luke Jackson, Trent Rivers (Melbourne), Jeremy Sharp (Gold Coast) and Trey Ruscoe (Collingwood).

A couple have already featured in the Marsh series, with Sharp kicking a nice long-range goal in his Suns debut and former basketballer Jackson did some good things for Melbourne against Adelaide as he firms for an early-season gig.