SYDNEY Swans recruit Callum Sinclair feels privileged to be training with one of the competition's most star-studded midfields.
After spending three seasons with West Coast alongside the likes of Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis and 2015 All Australian Andrew Gaff, Sinclair will now run out at the Swans with an even more impressive onball division.
Led by dual club champion Josh Kennedy, reigning AFL Coaches Association MVP Dan Hannebery, 2014 best and fairest Luke Parker, plus 2012 premierships stars Jarrad McVeigh and Kieren Jack, the Swans midfield is stacked with experience and class.
Add youngsters Tom Mitchell, Jake Lloyd and Isaac Heeney to the mix and you can understand why the former Eagles ruckman can't wait for next season to come around.
"When you look at those names, there's some pretty talented footballers running around," Sinclair told AFL.com.au.
"To be able to train with those guys, and be able to work with them in the future is something I'm really looking forward to.
"I feel very privileged to be able to call those guys my teammates now and hopefully I get to learn as much as I can off them, it's going to be great."
Sinclair played second fiddle to West Coast star Nic Naitanui in Perth, but played 20 games in 2015 and provided a solid option both in the ruck and inside forward 50.
In Sydney, the 26-year-old will likely work in tandem with forward/ruck Kurt Tippett, after the retirement of Mike Pyke.
The 200cm tall said he was looking forward to building a relationship with Tippett and the rest of the Swans' big men.
"Kurt (Tippett) got in touch with me over the break, and I'm looking forward to working with him," Sinclair said.
"There's probably another three (or) four guys who are part of the big-man group who are really talented footballers as well.
"I like learning from the best and Kurt is one of the best key position players in the League, so I'm looking forward to learning as much as I can off him."
The club's younger players returned to pre-season training on Monday, with co-captain McVeigh, Kennedy and Tippett also showing their face on the track, a week before they are due back at the club.
Fellow recruits Michael Talia, who was traded from the Western Bulldogs, plus Irish international rookie, Colin O'Riordan, also joined Sinclair in a tough session at Lakeside oval outside the SCG.
"My first impressions are that everybody takes their footy very seriously and the players really went out of their way to make the new guys feel welcome," Sinclair said.
"The culture I can see is pretty strong and everyone is really united.
"Everyone rocked up prepared and ready to train so I was really impressed, I thought the guys were awesome."
Heeney was on light duties thanks to some knee tendonitis, but in better news he's fully recovered from the broken jaw he suffered after being allegedly king hit while on holiday with teammates in Hong Kong last month.
Luckless defender Alex Johnson was a welcome sight at training, walking without assistance just days after having a fourth knee reconstruction.
Johnson, who hasn't played since being a key member of the Swans' 2012 premiership in their win over Hawthorn, had a hybrid LARS reconstruction last week.
