SYDNEY Swans running defender Martin Mattner says the club's playing group is "tighter" after enduring a number of controversies in 2008.

The club has barely been out of the limelight this season, with recent controversies involving Barry Hall and the club's interchange bench creating plenty of copy for the nation's football media.

But while Mattner says the club would have been happier to do without these distractions - particularly the Hall misdemeanour - he is sure they have only served to strengthen the bond between the players.

"It has created a tighter group, especially with Barry Hall's incident," Mattner said.

"The players didn't lose respect for him over the incident - they might have worried whether it was going to happen again - but there wasn't respect lost.

"He's working on that and I suppose he'll work on that for the rest of his career so it'll never happen again."

In positive news for the Swans, talented defender Nick Malceski looks almost certain to return to action this weekend after he was named in the club's extended squad for Sunday's meeting with Essendon at ANZ Stadium.

It is just 12 weeks after Malceski underwent a revolutionary knee reconstruction which saw him have industrial-strength fibre inserted into his knee.

Mattner says he's excited about the prospect of playing alongside the Swan's other free-running defenders in Tadhg Kennelly and Malceski in the near future.

"I think a lot of the boys are still shocked about how well he's coped with it and how far he's come since he's done it … getting him back will be great."

Mattner added that the week off for all but four of his teammates following last week's Hall of Fame Tribute Match has meant it will be a revitalised side that goes into the round-eight clash with the Bombers.

"It's come at a pretty good time. A few of the guys were probably a little bit sore especially when you play four pre-season games.

"A few of the guys got over niggles, like Luke Ablett, who is probably going to be fit this week, where he wouldn't have been able to play last week.

"It's good to get away from footy and visit family and friends and mentally get away from it, too, but now we're all raring and ready to go."