Draw assessment
The Swans spend plenty of time in Sydney in 2012, including nine matches at the SCG - one more than last year - plus two clashes with GWS at ANZ Stadium. They have also been given just one trip to Perth, West Coast in round 16, and only five six-day breaks. But they have a tough run home, facing Hawthorn, Collingwood and Geelong in their of the final four matches.

Pivotal match
The round 13 clash with premiers Geelong at the SCG looms as an important fixture for the Swans. It is their only Friday night appearance for the season and the big stage will help show how far they've come. The club is quietly hopeful it has moved a step closer to the top four in 2012 and this game could determine if that's true.

Injury list
The Swans have had a relatively good pre-season on the injury front. Ryan O'Keefe, Matt Spangher, Tony Armstrong and Tom Mitchell are the only players who are almost certainly out for round one, with a query over Gary Rohan. Dan Hannebery had shoulder and knee surgery, but is naturally fit and shouldn't take long to hit his stride.

Track specialist
The Swans have young key position players at either end of the ground, Sam Reid and Alex Johnson, who are showing the benefits of big pre-season campaigns. Both have added some bulk to their frames and appear ready for another step up. Craig Bird is another who seems well on top of his injury troubles.

Dream Team special
At just $244,200, Luke Parker could end up being a bargain pick up in 2012. He played 13 games in his debut season last year, including 10 of the club's final 11 matches. He has already shown improvement in the pre-season and his ability to pick up possessions, lay tackles and kick goals means he could be worth a look.

Draftee watch
Tom Mitchell is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, but he is a highly rated addition. Son of club great Barry Mitchell, he is a tough midfielder with plenty of skill who should taste senior football this year. Jordan Lockyer has also impressed, while Mitch Morton and Tommy Walsh are desperate to succeed at their new homes.

Needs a big year
Trent Dennis-Lane. There is no question the club believes he is capable of playing regular senior football and he has shown glimpses of his ability. From his 11 games over two seasons, Dennis-Lane has kicked 21 goals. But he needs to work on his fitness and pressure skills to find a regular home in the forward line in 2012.

Best and fairest tip
It would be hard to tip against reigning best and fairest Adam Goodes picking up a fourth Bob Skilton Medal in 2012, but he will have some competition. Josh Kennedy has finished runner-up two years running and should be right in the mix again. Kieren Jack, the 2010 winner, will be back in calculations if he can avoid injury, while Shane Mumford, Jarrad McVeigh and Dan Hannebery could also be contenders.

The Sydney Swans will have a good year if…
They can find more goals and if their skill level improves. The Swans have identified improving their disposal and cutting down on turnovers as vital this year. If they can do that, they could be knocking on the top four. Sam Reid also needs to push Adam Goodes for leading goalkicker, while Gary Rohan, Ben McGlynn, Mitch Morton or Tommy Walsh will need to regularly kick goals.

The big issues
Can anyone ease the pressure on Adam Goodes? He is such a freak athlete and so vital to the cause, but at the age of 32, he needs some help and can't be expected to shoulder such a load forever.

Will the Swans find enough goals to push further up the ladder? They are one of the AFL's more miserly defensive units, but they need to find simpler, more reliable avenues to goal this season.

Will their ability to get the best out of recycled players continue this year? Josh Kennedy, Shane Mumford, Rhyce Shaw and Ted Richards have been terrific recruits. If Mitch Morton, Tommy Walsh or Tony Armstrong can join that group this year, it will give the club another boost.

Best 22
B: Rhyce Shaw, Ted Richards, Heath Grundy
HB: Martin Mattner, Alex Johnson, Nick Smith
C: Josh Kennedy, Adam Goodes, Jarrad McVeigh
HF: Ryan O'Keefe, Sam Reid, Craig Bird
F: Ben McGlynn, Matt Spangher, Gary Rohan
FOLL: Shane Mumford, Jude Bolton, Kieren Jack
I/C: Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Daniel Hannebery, Luke Parker
Sub: Lewis Jetta

AFL.com.au predicted ladder finish: 7th

PICK YOUR BEST 22 SWANS

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL