SWANS veteran Ben Mathews is now so busy juggling a professional football career and playing father to three young children, he can't remember how he used to spend his time before becoming a dad.

And running around after his three young kids could well complement the hours of hard work he has put in on the track these past few months.

Especially so given the young legs he will likely have to chase around at times this season.

At 28 and entering his 12th season at the top level, Mathews is now a veteran of Paul Roos' side.

But after an injury-free summer - quite the opposite of his 2006 season - the Swans midfielder is looking forward to returning to the fold to play a variety of roles for his side.

"I really like playing in the middle so hopefully I can play there this year," Mathews said.

"There'll always be times when you have to go down back. I think the beauty of our side is that we're very adaptable.

"With games of footy these days you've got to be able to play in four or five types of position. And Roosy loves this side being unpredictable."

Two calf strains and a hamstring injury last season forced Mathews to watch from the sidelines for 12 weeks - a new experience for the man who has been so durable throughout his career.

"It was frustrating to be honest," Mathews said.

"No-one ever likes injuries I suppose … And when you're not used to sitting on the sidelines, I really got to appreciate just what a privilege it is to be out there each weekend.

"On the other side, you get to understand the stress and effort of the guys who are injured, just what they go through to get themselves back out there."

Mathews, who is jumping out of his skin after his "best pre-season in four or five years", is confident of a successful season - both personally and for the team.

One thing he can be certain of this year is that he is likely to be hot on the heels of someone not quite as long in the tooth.

Whether it be a whippety West Coast Eagle in round one, or away from the field, his son Harry, 5, daughter Jada, 2, or four-month-old son Beau, Mathews knows he will have his hands full.

"With football and family, it keeps me very busy," he said.

"With dropping the kids off at school and heading to training, it keeps me pretty busy. I wonder what I used to do when I was a young fella."