Rumours of rifts and dissension in the ranks have dominated the Swans' start to the year, not helped by upset defeats to Greater Western Sydney and Collingwood to commence 2014.
But rather than spotting any downcast players lamenting their predicament, there was almost a party atmosphere at Lakeside Oval as the team prepared for Saturday's trip to Adelaide to face the Crows.
Firstly, Swans father figure and lifelong fan Kenny Williams was presented with a cake by Adam Goodes to mark his 85th year as the whole team sang Happy Birthday.
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There were plenty of laughs and ribbing as teams were picked for a quick game of soccer and there was also a nice moment as Alex Johnson was welcomed back for the first time since suffering his third knee injury.
Veteran Rhyce Shaw, a man who often keeps the mood light around the group, said the Swans aren't even overly fazed about the prospect of another loss in their clash with the Crows.
"Both teams are zero-and-two and it's a tough game," Shaw said. "But it's not the end of the world if you start zero-and-three.
"There's still 19 games to go.
"But we're really looking forward to playing at Adelaide Oval.
"It's zero and two, it's round two – it's a long season."
Adding to the noise outside the club this week was former Swans premiership player Tadhg Kennelly's comments that other teams no longer fear coming up against their contested style of football.
Shaw broke out into a grin when Kennelly's name was mentioned and brushed off the Irishman's comments.
"Tadhg loves the media doesn't he?" Shaw said.
"He's got his own opinions and I love Tadhg, but we're still the same Sydney and still have the same processes and we're still the same club.
"Zero-and-two doesn't mean we change the world.
"Our processes will never change, we do the same things we do every week, work on the same things. We've just got to make sure we take it into game day.
"It's as simple as that really."
Injured duo Goodes and Tommy Walsh took turns shooting penalties with a soccer ball and a makeshift goal, with the dual Brownlow medallist celebrating each successful spot kick by running around with his arms outstretched.
Goodes (knee) and Walsh (hamstring) are both nearing a return to fitness, as is fellow forward Kurt Tippett (knee), who only took part in some very light duties but is expected to up his training on Friday.
Shaw himself is only a few months back from LARS surgery on his knee and admits his form has been down over the opening two games.
The defender was guilty of seven clangers against Collingwood and was one of the offenders as the Swans regularly turned the ball over with some poor options going inside their forward 50.
"I think I just kicked it up the chimney a couple of times and that wasn't great," he admitted.
But Shaw remains confident the Swans will turn their form around.
When it was suggested the side lacks chemistry Shaw agreed, but was hopeful it will start to click against an Adelaide side the Swans have beaten in their past two clashes.
"You're probably right, it's not as fluent as normal, but I suppose that comes with new players," he said.
"We had a big turnover last year. But we've worked really hard in the pre-season to get that right and it just hasn't worked consistently this year.
"I'm hoping that it comes good this week and we're really looking forward to the challenge of Adelaide.
"We've had some good battles with them over the years."
Lewis Roberts-Thomson (groin) and Gary Rohan (leg) were also moving without any hindrance as they try to ensure they make the trip to Adelaide.
Twitter: @AFL_JD
There were plenty of laughs and ribbing as teams were picked for a quick game of soccer and there was also a nice moment as Alex Johnson was welcomed back for the first time since suffering his third knee injury.
Veteran Rhyce Shaw, a man who often keeps the mood light around the group, said the Swans aren't even overly fazed about the prospect of another loss in their clash with the Crows.
"Both teams are zero-and-two and it's a tough game," Shaw said. "But it's not the end of the world if you start zero-and-three.
"There's still 19 games to go.
"But we're really looking forward to playing at Adelaide Oval.
"It's zero and two, it's round two – it's a long season."
Adding to the noise outside the club this week was former Swans premiership player Tadhg Kennelly's comments that other teams no longer fear coming up against their contested style of football.
Shaw broke out into a grin when Kennelly's name was mentioned and brushed off the Irishman's comments.
"Tadhg loves the media doesn't he?" Shaw said.
"He's got his own opinions and I love Tadhg, but we're still the same Sydney and still have the same processes and we're still the same club.
"Zero-and-two doesn't mean we change the world.
"Our processes will never change, we do the same things we do every week, work on the same things. We've just got to make sure we take it into game day.
"It's as simple as that really."
Injured duo Goodes and Tommy Walsh took turns shooting penalties with a soccer ball and a makeshift goal, with the dual Brownlow medallist celebrating each successful spot kick by running around with his arms outstretched.
Goodes (knee) and Walsh (hamstring) are both nearing a return to fitness, as is fellow forward Kurt Tippett (knee), who only took part in some very light duties but is expected to up his training on Friday.
Shaw himself is only a few months back from LARS surgery on his knee and admits his form has been down over the opening two games.
The defender was guilty of seven clangers against Collingwood and was one of the offenders as the Swans regularly turned the ball over with some poor options going inside their forward 50.
"I think I just kicked it up the chimney a couple of times and that wasn't great," he admitted.
But Shaw remains confident the Swans will turn their form around.
When it was suggested the side lacks chemistry Shaw agreed, but was hopeful it will start to click against an Adelaide side the Swans have beaten in their past two clashes.
"You're probably right, it's not as fluent as normal, but I suppose that comes with new players," he said.
"We had a big turnover last year. But we've worked really hard in the pre-season to get that right and it just hasn't worked consistently this year.
"I'm hoping that it comes good this week and we're really looking forward to the challenge of Adelaide.
"We've had some good battles with them over the years."
Lewis Roberts-Thomson (groin) and Gary Rohan (leg) were also moving without any hindrance as they try to ensure they make the trip to Adelaide.
Twitter: @AFL_JD
The first-round loss to GWS was far from ideal for the Swans. Picture: AFL Media
