COACH John Longmire's first pre-season at the helm has resulted in a few tweaks to the game plan, but don't expect a totally remodelled outfit in round one next year. However, the emphasis on outside speed employed in the second half of 2010 will continue. Injuries to key players haven't helped but the youngsters - Gary Rohan, Lewis Jetta, Brett Meredith and Lewis Johnston - are flying.

Medical room: Craig Bolton's return from the achilles problem that ruined his 2010 has been slowed by a foot complaint, while Jesse White is still recovering from a shoulder reconstruction. Shane Mumford (knee) is due to resume running on the track in the new year, while Mark Seaby (ankle) is gradually returning to full training. Tadhg Kennelly remains in a knee brace after surgery to repair a medial ligament and Lewis Roberts-Thomson (hamstring/gluteal) faces a month-long layoff after minor surgery. Happily, Daniel Bradshaw has avoided off-season surgery on his troublesome knee - a strength program has improved his condition dramatically.

Who's burning: Brett Meredith looks to have shaken the injury curse that has plagued his three years at the club with an outstanding pre-season to date. His fitness has improved markedly and his classy decision-making in skills drills has excited the Swans coaches. Nick Malceski smashed his 3km time-trial best in his first session back, indicating he is set to improve on his excellent 2010. Others to shine include International Rules representatives Adam Goodes and Jarrad McVeigh, and NAB AFL Rising star Dan Hannebery, who has taken his incredible endurance to even greater heights.

Draftee watch: Talented forward Jed Lamb is on track to join the main group full-time after Christmas, but there's been no sign of his trademark yellow boots yet. Assistant coach John Blakey joked that Lewis Jetta - of green boots fame in 2010 - had pulled rank on the newcomer, but expected Lamb to crack out his flashy footwear in time. "I think he was a bit nervous to bring them out, but we might see them later in the year," Blakey said. And if Lamb starts dribbling them through from the boundary line with his wrong foot in the NAB Cup? "He can wear what he likes if he starts doing that," Blakey said with a laugh.

Membership: The Swans have set themselves the target of 35,000 members for 2011 - a 22 per cent increase on their 2010 total of 28,671. They're on track so far, with 15,323 fans signing up by December 21 - well ahead of the same time last year.A new "nominate your mate" scheme has been productive but the club will need a steady flow of signings in the new year to achieve its goal.

After the break: With only six weeks before a NAB Cup hit-out against Gold Coast and GWS at Blacktown, the focus will be on match practice and honing Longmire's new tactical tweaks while maintaining the focus on winning the hard ball. The program so far has focused on building the players' endurance - including cycling sessions and a trip to the Kurnell sand dunes - but the intensity of skills drills under match conditions will be gradually increased as the first game approaches.

Telstra Community Camp: As they did in 2010, the Swans players will spread far and wide across NSW on February 8-9. Small groups will visit eight locations across the state, including the Central Coast, Newcastle, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Wagga Wagga and Griffith. Itineraries and player allocations are yet to be confirmed but visits to local schools and hospitals, along with footy clinics, will be on the agenda.

NAB Cup opener: February 19 v Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney at Blacktown Olympic Park.

What they say: "We probably would have liked a few more players out on the track - guys like Craig Bolton, Tadhg, Mummy and Lewis Roberts-Thomson. When you've got injuries to your key personnel, it makes things a little bit difficult with some of the training drills. You want your key players out there directing traffic, but what we've achieved out of the pre-season so far has been very good." - assistant coach John Blakey.

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