As Everitt prepares to play the Swans for the first time since leaving last year, for the first time in his eight-year career he does not have to look in the rear-view mirror at competition for his spot in the senior team.

The Swans, too, have prospered, with Everitt's departure paving the way for them to sign former Blue Jeremy Laidler, who has missed just one game in his debut season with the ladder leader.

After spending much of his time in Sydney as a spare parts man for John Longmire, Everitt has thrived playing a more prominent role at Carlton as a midfielder/tagger.

His scalps include St Kilda's Leigh Montagna, Richmond playmaker Brett Deledio and reigning Adelaide club champion Rory Sloane.

"I'm enjoying that a lot more, having a bit more of an important role," Everitt said.

"[I'm] not saying it wasn't an important role at Sydney, but I'm always starting on the ground, in the 18, and having a role on the opposition's best players.

"That's what I've been doing the last eight weeks. It gives you confidence if you can knock over some of the big players in the game that you can make it at this level.

So well is Everitt playing for the Blues, it seems injury is the only obstacle to him playing every game this season – a feat he has never achieved.

Job security, however, has come at a price for Everitt who, with the Blues well out of finals contention, is in the unfamiliar position of being able to book holidays in September this year.

Not since his debut season in 2007 with the Western Bulldogs has Everitt been part of a club that failed to play finals.

"I was talking to one of the young boys [at Carlton] about it," Everitt said.

"I was saying my first year at the Bulldogs we came 13th, then every year I've been involved in four prelims, a semi and a grand final as well.

"I've been pretty fortunate with the teams I've been in. It'll definitely be different come September when there's no games coming around and we're on our holidays."

But it was not until last year that Everitt, who has been on the fringe of senior teams for much of his career, had his first taste of September action when he played three finals for a Swans team ravaged by injury.

But despite playing 20 games, Everitt could see the writing on the wall.

He was one of several Swans coming out of contract forced to wait until the end of the season for a new deal as the club made their surreptitious bid for Lance Franklin.

But Everitt does not believe he was forced out by Franklin. He was offered a contract by the Swans, but one heavily incentive-based, so he and his fiancee decided to move home.

"It was based upon me playing games. Even though I was confident in doing so, I came to the conclusion it was best for us to come back down to Melbourne with both our families and go from there," said Everitt, who signed a two-year deal, with the option of a third, with the Blues.

"I don't think I was squeezed out at all."

Everitt is eager to face his old team but says he does not have a point to prove to coach John Longmire.

"I'm definitely looking forward to it, that's for sure, but I'm out there to have a good time, play football," he said.

"There's a lot of players who move on, same with coaches. It's just football in the end. It's a business; that's what happens.

"I'll be out there to try my best and it'll be an added bonus if I play well.

"They obviously thought I wasn't too bad if they gave me 20 games last year. I won't go out there angry; I'll be out there to make my team better."