Sydney Swans co-captain Leo Barry said the side has been refreshed by the inclusion of five young players for this weekend’s round one clash against St Kilda at the Telstra Dome.

Speaking in wintery weather at Clovelly beach on Friday morning, Barry said the new additions to the side will add speed through the midfield.

“(We needed) to change our mix-up," said Barry.

"You have a certain number of run-with players, but you do need that extra bit of leg speed and ball use which a lot of teams, like Geelong and St Kilda, to some degree, have.”

“Just to get that extra string to your bow, especially in the midfielders, is crucial.

 Barry said the young players each add something to the midfield mix.

“Craig Bird is obviously a really classy midfielder,” said Barry

 “Kieren Jack is another run-with player, and Ed Barlow is another guy who adds to our hard-running midfield. “

“So they’re probably three guys who give us another three or four options in the midfield, and also Marty Mattner who will play half-back and also through the midfield. Pretty much all the guys are good ball-users which, in today’s footy, is crucial.”

Despite being dismissed by many in the football media, Barry said the team is confident it can again be competitive in season 2008.

“We’re still extremely confident we can be a really good outfit this year. Outside the club, yeah, we’re being criticised, but that’s something we’ve been accustomed to even over the last four or five years.”

“We still think we’ve got a really good core group of players that, if fit, can have a really good tilt at this season so hopefully we can get a better start this season and not be chasing the rest of the group at the end of the year. We’re pretty confident.”

Re-energizing the side, after five consecutive finals series, was one of the key priorities for the group in the off-season.

“(Last year) there were games with a lack of intensity, and other games were ok,” said Barry.

“It’s just that inconsistency and that lack of hunger that really cost us last season.”

“So, I think the way we got bailed out of the finals last year, and also having a different pre-season, changing a few things a few staff, a few players, was all about rejuvenating our list and getting that hunger back.”

Barry said he is expecting to line up on Saints power forward Fraser Gehrig on Saturday night, a player with whom he has had numerous battled throughout the last several years.

He also anticipates the game will be won and lost in the midfield.

“It’s generally won and lost in the midfield with them. They have a lot of power forwards- Gehrig and (Nick) Riewoldt- but I think the delivery to them generally determines how we go, especially through the midfield.  And whoever wins that battle will determine the victory.”