KURT Tippett is confident the Sydney Swans' new-look forward line still has time to click as a unit as the days tick down to the looming premiership season.
Tippett, Lance Franklin, Adam Goodes, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Sam Reid and Mike Pyke have sat out a number of intraclub matches while the rest of the group has been slogging it out on the track.
Some have poked fun at the Swans' "195cm rule", where players above that height have been permitted to watch while their more diminutive teammates train in the Sydney sun.
But the reality is all of them have been battling injuries and the club is being very cautious with their approach to 2014.
Tippett sustained his knee injury early in last year's semi-final victory over Carlton, forcing him to miss the preliminary final defeat to Fremantle.
He is nearing full fitness, however, and is excited about the weapons at the Swans' disposal.
"I haven't really done the game simulation yet, but we've done some good training," he said.
"As a full forward group, we probably haven't put it together just yet, but there's five or six weeks left leading into round one.
"We've got plenty of time and it's probably something that's going to continue to grow over the course of the year."
Tippett is already in a much better place than this time last year, when he was training with his new side knowing he couldn't make his debut until late June due to suspension.
Settled in Bondi and holding close ties with many of his teammates, the keen surfer is counting down the days until the season-opening match against Greater Western Sydney.
"I feel a lot more comfortable coming into my second season at the club," the former Crow said.
"Coming off last year where I had a late start, meeting everybody, (a) new environment, there was a lot to take in.
"I'm feeling a lot more comfortable now. I love Sydney, I'm very settled here, and I can't wait to really crack in for round one."
Following Shane Mumford's defection to the Giants, Tippett is happy to throw his 202cm frame into the ruck, although he is also confident in the efforts being shown by Tom Derickx, Sam Naismith and Toby Nankervis.
As well as the Swans' bevy of big men in the forward line, there are some other attacking options Tippett is also looking forward to working with.
"I still haven't played much football with 'Jetts' (Lewis Jetta), Gary Rohan, these guys that have come back from an interrupted last season," Tippett said.
"I'll get to know these guys and work alongside them and they're very exciting players. The speed and skills they've got are going to be great."
Last Friday, Tippett and Buddy Franklin impressed onlookers when they played at full capacity in some training drills.
Franklin opened up to AFL.com.au last week about his growing friendship with Tippett and the latter is also keen to get their on-field partnership up and running.
"I've noticed he's been here," Tippett joked when asked about Franklin.
"I see it as very exciting. He's one of the best players in the game and for him to come to Sydney and for me to have the opportunity to play alongside him and learn from him, it's going to be wonderful.
"Hopefully we can take it to the defenders across the competition and become a really good, efficient forward line."
The Swans' first NAB Challenge match is against GWS in Canberra on February 20.
