Best 22 – round one
B: Nick Smith, Heath Grundy, Dane Rampe
HB: Callum Mills, Aliir Aliir, Jake Lloyd
C: Dan Robinson, Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery
HF: George Hewett, Sam Reid, Dean Towers
F: Kurt Tippett, Lance Franklin, Kieren Jack
Foll: Sam Naismith, Luke Parker, Zak Jones
I/C: Jeremy Laidler, Darcy Cameron, Harrison Marsh, Oliver Florent
Injury list
Former co-captain Jarrad McVeigh (calf) and young gun Isaac Heeney (glandular fever) are the Swans' major concerns, with McVeigh set to miss the early part of the season, and Heeney's future uncertain with his illness. Tom Papley (knee) and Gary Rohan (back) will return from the long-term injury list for round two but need some NEAFL time to get match fit, while Alex Johnson (knee) will hopefully be back to play at some stage during the year from his fifth reconstruction.
The big questions
When will Heeney return?
He might be ready to go in a fortnight, but it could be months, and the nature of glandular fever and its effects would be causing plenty of headaches for the Swans.
Will we see Sam Reid re-emerge as one of the game's most talented tall forwards?
It looks like his 2016 nightmare run with injuries is behind him after a solid pre-season, and Reid could be the 'recruit' of the year if he can snag 20-30 goals in 2017.
Can Kieren Jack succeed as a permanent forward?
The former co-captain kicked 27 goals in the Swans' premiership year of 2012, and has the speed and smarts to be a dangerous player inside 50.
Look for …
The Swans' next Tadhg Kennelly. Irishman Colin O'Riordan loves to carry the footy from half-back just like his countryman, and is a big chance to play senior footy this year if he can get onto the senior list. The 21-year-old is exciting to watch and made the 2016 NEAFL Team of the Year.
Who they play
The Swans have to face the Giants, Bulldogs and Hawks twice, but have a light travel schedule, with one trip each to Perth and Adelaide, and no visit to Queensland. They have an early bye in round 11, and finish the season with a home game against Carlton.
Fantasy cash cow
Darcy Cameron ($156,000) should be in the side for round one and looks a good option as a second ruckman. The mature-age recruit from the WAFL is also a capable forward and could be a valuable pick up for the Swans.
Sudden impact
Oliver Florent is slightly built but has pace to burn, and will be unleashed across half-forward in round one to give the Swans a spark. Outside run was an issue for the team last year and Florent has all the tools to help in that area.
It's crunch time for …
Brandon Jack. The 22-year-old failed to play a senior game last year and has never played more than 10 in a season, despite at times looking like he could become a regular. The versatile Jack is out of contract at the end of the season and needs to find himself a spot in Longmire's team.
Pressure rating on the coach
Stop horsing around. John Longmire has taken the Swans to the finals in each of his six seasons and has guided them to 16-plus wins for the last five. Sure, they've lost two of the past three Grand Finals after winning the minor premiership, but you can't win them if you're not in the hunt, and the Swans are always around the mark.
The Swans will have a good year if …
Their draft crop delivers on the promise they've shown over summer. The likes of Darcy Cameron, Oliver Florent, Will Hayward, Jack Maibaum and Robbie Fox have been impressive so far, and if they can all have an impact at various stages during the year the Swans will be rapt.
They’re in trouble if …
Injuries hit the team's star-studded midfield. Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker and Dan Hannebery provide so much drive for the side and rarely miss games, so if any of them were missing for a long period, the impact would be massive, especially with Heeney's illness, and Kieren jack's move forward.
Pass mark
Anything less than a top-four finish is considered a failure at the Swans given it hasn't happened since Longmire's first season in 2011, so once again that's what is expected.
AFL.com.au predicted ladder finish
Third. The perennial contenders lost Tom Mitchell but the emergence of Heeney and Jones in the midfield, and the recruitment of Cameron and Florent, gives Longmire plenty of talent to work on.
Player Ratings star
Josh Kennedy, second. The game's best inside midfielder almost climbed to the top of the ratings on the back of his third club champion award, and third All Australian jumper, but couldn't quite topple Brownlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield.
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