Typically at this time of year, players are nursing knocks, reducing their training load and doing all they can to push through to the end of another tough season.
But Hannebery's injury-enforced layoff between rounds 14-19 this year due to an ankle injury means he is sprinting, rather than limping, towards September.
"I certainly feel fresh, physically and mentally," said Hannebery, who has played two matches since returning from his injury.
''I felt great on the weekend, a lot fresher than I felt last year, that's something I did notice.
"I felt full of run, something that probably towards the back end of last year I was feeling a little bit tired, so that's probably a small positive from the injury.
"It’s not ideal, you don't want to miss any footy.
"But certainly four games is more than enough time to get yourself physically and mentally ready for a finals campaign that is going to be as brutal as ever."
While the Swans are sitting atop the ladder and enjoy outright premiership favouritism, Hannebery feels this year's race is wide open and "there are probably eight teams that can challenge".
The Swans will continue their preparations with Sunday's away clash with the Western Bulldogs, when they are likely to be without another key midfielder in Josh Kennedy.
Having played 127 consecutive matches, Kennedy sustained a minor hamstring injury against St Kilda on Sunday and is unlikely to be risked.
He will try to run on Thursday or Friday to assess the injury.
Hannebery was asked, were he in the same situation, whether he would err on the side of caution and take a week off.
"He's got a Brownlow Medal to win, so I think he's planning to get six votes the next couple of weeks," Hannebery joked of one of the leading Brownlow contenders.
"No, I'm not too sure. We'll wait and see how he goes and he'll train on Friday and if he feels good, he'll play.
"But I don't think ‘Horse’ (Swans coach John Longmire) will take much risk with 'Joey' because he's one of the best mids in the comp."
On form, the Swans should have little to worry about against the Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, but Hannebery is on guard.
The Dogs can count Collingwood, Richmond and Gold Coast among their seven wins this year and Hannebery is well aware of their talent.
"If you let them play their best footy, they're obviously really dangerous," he said.
"They've got some super young players and I've watched them a few times this year and they've had some quality wins.
"You have to prepare for their best and if we restrict what they want to do, it'll go a long way towards us winning.
"But if you allow them to play the way they want to play, they're an extremely dangerous football side."
History shows teams must make the top four to challenge for the flag, but Hannebery reiterated his view that this year's competition is there for the taking.
"Whether you're top-four or top-eight, it doesn't really matter," he said.
"Even the ninth, 10th, 11th teams are all pretty close this year.
"The competition is as even as ever and anyone inside that eight can challenge.
"It could go either way this year."
