Paul Bevan: The tough utility needed a big year and prepared all summer for a defensive forward role before finding his niche down back. Showed enough to suggest he will get another contract.
Craig Bird: A foot stress fracture sidelined him on the eve of the season and he never really got going. Showed signs of his best in four mid-year games before the foot flared up again. Still in the club's best 22.
Craig Bolton: A horror year for the Swans co-captain. Groin problems hampered his pre-season but he managed five games before suffering a season-ending achilles injury against West Coast. Will be hoping for a change of luck this summer.
Jude Bolton: Another typically honest year from one of the Swans' chief ball-winners. Impressed as a key leader when the Swans battled through their mid-year slump. Shouldered even more responsibility in the middle as Kirk's influence at the stoppages waned.
Daniel Bradshaw: Showed enough in an injury-riddled debut year at the club to suggest he will be a key player if he can maintain his fitness. Was the league's best forward for a month before a recurring knee complaint effectively ended his season in round nine.
Daniel Currie: The athletic ruckman continued to develop in the reserves but it was telling that he couldn't earn a senior debut despite injuries to Mark Seaby and Shane Mumford. Contracted for 2011 but could seek opportunities elsewhere.
Trent Dennis-Lane: Loomed as the next big thing in pre-season before a knee injury slowed his progress. Came into the side late in the year and showed the nous around goal that made him a star in the WAFL. Has proven to be a very astute late draft selection.
Taylor Gilchrist*: Tall midfielder who spent his second year on the rookie list in the reserves and never really challenged for senior selection. Unlikely to get another year.
Adam Goodes: Battled to find his best as a permanent centre half-forward in the first half of the season before flourishing in a return to the midfield. Instrumental in several important wins. Still the first player opposition teams look to stop.
Nathan Gordon*: Earned promotion to the senior list after an outstanding season in the reserves as a rookie. Among the top two runners at the club and will look to push for a senior debut in 2011.
Heath Grundy: Followed up a breakout 2009 with a first half of the season at centre half-back that had pundits whispering about All-Australian honours. His impact lessened slightly as the year progressed but is now established as a first-choice key defender.
Daniel Hannebery: The NAB AFL Rising Star award was a deserved reward for Hannebery who emerged as a future leader of the club in 2010. Outstanding endurance, top-notch courage and an ability to make good decisions were his hallmarks in a great year.
Campbell Heath: Emerged from rehab on a knee reconstruction to earn a senior debut in round nine. The heir apparent to Craig Bolton as a versatile key defender. Expect more improvement in 2011.
Kieren Jack: Jack's emergence as a genuine midfield gun in the second half of the season was key to the Swans' surge into September. An all-round midfielder with few flaws in his game and a real chance to win the club champion award.
Lewis Jetta: No one set the SCG alight more often than Jetta with his lightning runs down the wing. Inaccuracy often tarnished his good play but it made his first goal in round 19 after 19 behinds all the more sweet. With more bulk and poise, he could be a star of the competition.
Lewis Johnston: Kicked several bags in the reserves but was sent down back for a stint to work on his defensive game. Yet to earn a senior debut but if he can match his prodigious natural gifts with an equally great work ethic, Johnston could be a 10-year key forward.
Josh Kennedy: Thrived in his first year at the club after three years at Hawthorn. His big frame was vital at the stoppages and he also showed a knack of getting forward for a goal. Starred in the finals, and every chance of a top-10 finish in the Bob Skilton Medal.
Tadhg Kennelly: Returned from a year in Gaelic football and it was like he'd never left. Slotted back into his customary half-back role with poise and his delivery by foot remained a delight. At 29, looks to have some good years left.
Brett Kirk: The pace of the game looked to be catching up to the retiring warrior mid-year but true to form, he adapted his game for the good of the team. Whether tagging, winning clearances or stopping the opposition's run, Kirk's final year was a credit to one of the club's greatest.
Nick Malceski: Returned to his best in devastating fashion off half-back. When given space, his lethal boot set up countless attacks and the Swans were so much better for it. Deservedly named in the 40-man All-Australian squad.
Martin Mattner: Quietly went about his business in defence alongside Malceski and Kennelly and found plenty of the footy. The epitome of the Swans' unassuming, team-first culture.
Ben McGlynn: Rapidly established himself as a key player before a quad injury stalled his progress. McGlynn's ability to kick goals, run in the midfield or lock down on an opposition gun makes him a crucial part of the club's next generation.
Dylan McNeil*: A very good year in the reserves from the rookie-listed midfielder. Featured regularly among the best players and will look to challenge for senior selection in 2011.
Jarrad McVeigh: A surprisingly inconsistent year from the 2008 club champion. McVeigh was less damaging in midfield than previous years but still showed his worth as a dangerous half-forward. Will look for a better year in 2011.
Brett Meredith: His pre-season was hampered by lingering injuries but Meredith proved his class when fit, slotting into the senior team seamlessly for six games. Will be desperate for an injury-free summer.
Jarred Moore: Not the nuggetty small forward's best year but his importance to the forward structure is undeniable. Tellingly, the Swans won two-thirds of the games Moore played. An ankle injury reduced his potency from round seven.
Shane Mumford: From rookie Geelong ruckman to potential All-Australian, Mumford's debut year in Sydney was sensational. His ruckwork was excellent and it was matched by his ferocious attack on the disputed ball. An exceptionally astute recruiting move.
Matthew O'Dwyer: Failed to impress in his one senior game for the year after showing good signs in 2009. After four years at the Swans, it's hard to see where O'Dwyer fits in the blueprint for the future.
Ryan O'Keefe: The reigning club champion's second year as a permanent midfielder posed its challenges. Excellent early but his form mirrored that of the team as the Swans hit their mid-year slump. Was restricted by niggling injury in the second half of the season.
Henry Playfair*: A mighty achievement to return to the seniors after almost two years out with a debilitating hamstring injury, but his luck ran out when he suffered fractured vertebrae in round 14. Retired almost immediately.
Mike Pyke: Seaby's injury gave the rookie ruckman a chance and he seized it gleefully. Developed into a fully-fledged AFL ruckman in just his second year playing the sport. Thoroughly deserves his two-year deal as a senior player.
Sam Reid: A development year for the rangy tall defender and he was consistently the reserves' best in the second half of the season. Showed good signs in his senior debut in round 22 and should play more senior footy in 2011.
Ted Richards: Endured a long stint outside the senior team before returning to play an important role as a swingman in the later rounds. Exactly where he fits in the best 22 is still up for debate. 2011 will be a very interesting year for Richards.
Lewis Roberts-Thomson: A tremendous year as the senior key defender after Craig Bolton was hobbled early on. Formed a good partnership with Grundy and improved the attacking side of his game.
Gary Rohan: The quickest player at the club and he's almost key-position size. Has an excellent work ethic to go with his athletic gifts and a natural forward instinct. His development will be exciting to watch and his potential is almost limitless.
Mark Seaby: A great first year at the club, albeit one that lasted just five and a bit games. Formed a formidable partnership with Mumford before a broken ankle ended his year. Rehab will be his focus over summer with a view to recapturing his best.
Rhyce Shaw: Failed to back up his stellar debut year at the Swans with one of equal quality. With Kennelly, Malceski and Mattner at half back, Shaw was moved into the midfield or up forward. A knee complaint interrupted his pre-season but he will be desperate to atone in 2011.
Nick Smith: Consolidated his strong 2009 with another fine year as a defensive half-back or tagging midfielder. Shut down opponents the calibre of Luke Hodge and Mark LeCras during the year and looks set for a fine Swans career.
Byron Sumner: Looked good in pre-season but didn't progress as quickly as others in the reserves. Has good foot skills and pace, and will be better for having a year under his belt in the elite system.
Kristin Thornton: Recurring knee problems prevented Thornton from adding to his eight career games. After five years at the club, there must be some doubts about his body's ability to withstand the rigours of senior football.
Patrick Veszpremi: The talented forward who shook off his previous injury woes but managed just one senior game as a late inclusion against Port Adelaide. Ability is not in doubt but can he meet the Swans' expectations? A big off-season looms.
Jesse White: Bradshaw's prolonged absence gave White plenty of opportunities but he failed to thrive. However, he showed signs that he was finally adding some much-needed physicality to his game. Still very raw, but must continue his improvement next year.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
