B: Martin Mattner, Craig Bolton, Nick Malceski
HB: Tadhg Kennelly, Heath Grundy, Rhyce Shaw
C: Gary Rohan, Josh Kennedy, Nick Smith
HF: Daniel Hannebery, Adam Goodes, Jude Bolton
F: Ben McGlynn, Daniel Bradshaw, Ryan O'Keefe
FOLL: Shane Mumford, Jarrad McVeigh, Kieren Jack
I/C: Craig Bird, Mark Seaby, Lewis Jetta
SUB: Trent Dennis-Lane
Injury list
Craig Bolton (achilles) - indefinite
Daniel Bradshaw (knee) - TBA
Campbell Heath (knee) - 7-9 weeks
Tadhg Kennelly (knee) - 1 week
Jarred Moore (ankle) - TBA
Lewis Roberts-Thomson (hamstring/gluteal) - 1 week
Gary Rohan (achilles) - test
Matt Spangher (quad) - 1 week
Most valuable player
Dual Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes appears to be in super nick heading into the season proper, which must be a frightening sight for his likely opponents.
When his confidence is high, Goodes is nigh on impossible to stop, his pace and size making him one of the hardest match-ups in football.
Goodes is reportedly the fittest he has been heading into a season and his pre-season form suggests he could kick a lot of goals this year. He slotted four against St Kilda's famously stingy defence in the NAB Challenge, on the back of a six-goal performance against Gold Coast. Given his propensity to attract votes, it could be an idea to have a sneaky something on him to win an incredible third Brownlow as well.
Track specialist
The Swans will be not be expecting the second-year blues from last year's Rising Star winner Daniel Hannebery. For one, it his third year in the system; for two, he has been burning on the track since he came back from post-season shoulder surgery.
Development coach Henry Playfair previously stated: "He’s in really good shape. Hanners’ running in particular has improved out of sight so we’re hoping that will have a big effect on his games. He'll be able to run out games better and have another great year." Prior to Christmas, Hannebery ran a personal best in the 3km time trial, finishing well under 10 minutes and slashing 20 seconds from his previous best.
Dream Team special
As a $306,200 midfielder, Josh Kennedy could be a bargain-basement buy if his pre-season form is anything to go by. Kennedy has been racking up possessions at will during the NAB Cup/Challenge series, and also bobbing up in the forward line and slotting the odd goal. While not renowned for his pace, the former Hawk uses his nous to find the football and is clever once he's got it. His size also makes him a difficult opponent to match up on and difficult to move off the ball.
Pivotal match View the full Swans fixture here
Round 4 against the Geelong Cats. The match against the mighty Cats at the SCG can set up the year for the Swans and will also tell us how close they are to one of the competition's yardsticks. But a win is going to be tough considering the Swans have lost their past eight against the 2009 premier… and the game will be on the back of a road trip to Perth. If the Swans bring home the bacon, however, they will receive a massive boost of confidence going into a bye, before another game at the SCG against Carlton.
After the Blues, the Swans go to Manuka and then have another two games at the SCG. While all the games are tough, they are winnable, and victory against the Cats could set up a significant winning streak that will keep them on pace with the top sides.
The last time the Swans tasted victory against Geelong was in round five of the 2006 season.
Draftee watch
Selecting the Swans best 22 players shows just how much depth this team has but with some luck Jed Lamb and Luke Parker could make their AFL debut in 2011. Lamb was taken with the Swans' first pick (21 overall) in last year's draft after many considered he would go earlier. Lamb is a livewire forward with a sizeable bag of tricks and he is said to be a very accurate around the big sticks. He also brings a touch of flamboyance to his footy, so he is certainly one to watch.
The Swans will have a good year if ...
... If some of their injured stars who missed the pre-season can return and find form quickly. Last year's runner-up in the best and fairest, ruckman Shane Mumford, has had a limited build-up to the season and his form will also be critical. But if the Swans can get Daniel Bradshaw back from injury and kicking goals, and Tadhg Kennelly back and giving them dash of defence, who knows what is possible for this team that was a kick away from a preliminary final last year. Continued improvement from Gary Rohan, Byron Sumner, Hanneberry and Lewis Jetta will also make the Swans a tough assignment in 2011.
The big issues
Can the Swans continue their momentum without leaders Paul Roos and Brett Kirk?
While the Swans have had a smooth transition from premiership-winning coach Paul Roos to John Longmire, it will be interesting to see if they can improve again in 2011.
There has been some suggestion that much of the Swans' surprising 2010 season was motivated by the imminent departures of Roos and spiritual leader Brett Kirk.
Just how much these departing figures shaped 2010 is unknown, but one thing is certain about this club: regardless of who is in the driving seat, the Swans will always give a good account of themselves.
On the field, the Swans' culture has been modelled around their warrior players such as Paul Kelly and Kirk. With the departure of Kirk, some will be wondering who can fill the void. Certainly, Goodes and co-captain Jarrad McVeigh will set the tone as the leaders, and Goodes already looks inspired by the appointment. McVeigh's work ethic is unquestionable. Of course, there is always veteran Jude Bolton to lead the way for endeavour and aggression and Kieren Jack seems to be cut from the cloth of Kirk and Kelly - and won't die wondering. At a glance, the Swans have more than enough heart and spirit to carry them through 2011 and beyond.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
