DEFENDER Nick Smith believes the Sydney Swans have had an outstanding pre-season campaign, but has little interest in talk of AFL favouritism.
The majority of pundits and bookmakers alike believe this year's premiership is a three-horse race between Hawthorn, Fremantle and the Sydney Swans.
The re-tooled Swans begin their tilt at the flag against Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium on Saturday and Smith said his side isn't taking any notice of pre-season forecasts.
"I don't think it matters too much to be honest," Smith said.
"A lot of people throw around who's going to be in the top three, four, eight.
"We just try to play each week and I know it gets a bit boring for the media, but there's no point looking too far into the future.
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
"Obviously we expect to do well, but we're not putting any number on where we're finishing.
"We had Port Adelaide come from nowhere last year, obviously I think Geelong will be strong again … the competition's so even that you never really know."
It would be a shock if the Swans weren't contenders, however, after they added Lance Franklin to a list that claimed the 2012 premiership.
Franklin took a knock to his knee in last week's final practice match against the Brisbane Lions and only took part in some goalkicking duties on Tuesday before leaving the track.
He was moving fine, however, and is considered in no doubt for his debut this week and Smith feels the Swans' preparations have been much better than this time 12 months ago.
"I feel as a group that we've probably had a better pre-season," he said.
"It's hard to tell until we start playing games, but I feel at this stage last year we might've been a bit more behind.
"We've played a few more practice games and hopefully that holds us in better stead.
"The boys are really excited, we've been waiting all pre-season and it's good to get through the pre-season games with no real injuries.
"It's been a really good pre-season for me, I missed almost all of last pre-season (with a knee injury), so it's definitely good going in with a pre-season under your belt and feeling a lot fresher and stronger."
The Swans have plenty of depth heading into the new season, with a host of players pushing for a spot alongside Smith in the backline.
Ted Richards, Heath Grundy, Nick Malceski, Rhyce Shaw, Dane Rampe and newcomer Jeremy Laidler have all enjoyed solid pre-seasons, while Alex Johnson is expected to play some game time in the reserves this week.
Former Blue Laidler in particular has impressed Smith, who he suggested could fill the role vacated by Marty Mattner's injury-enforced retirement early in 2013.
A member of the Swans' leadership group, Smith is also expecting a tough match-up with the Giants, who are winless in four attempts against their cross-town rival.
"They're getting better every year," Smith said.
"We're under no illusions they're going to be very competitive this year.
"They've got Shane Mumford, Heath Shaw, they've picked up some really good players, and their younger players getting a bit older and more experienced.
"We played them a few weeks ago in Canberra and they'd definitely improved them.
"They're going to be a better side again this year and I'd expect them to be really competitive."
