Best 22
B: Nick Smith, Ted Richards, Dane Rampe
HB: Gary Rohan, Heath Grundy, Rhyce Shaw
C: Kieren Jack, Josh Kennedy, Lewis Jetta
HF Dan Hannebery, Lance Franklin, Craig Bird
F: Adam Goodes, Kurt Tippett, Ben McGlynn
Foll: Mike Pyke, Luke Parker, Jarrad McVeigh
I/C: Isaac Heeney, Harry Cunningham, Sam Reid
Sub: Jake Lloyd
Health of the list
The Swans' list is in excellent shape, with only three players currently sidelined - all with knee injuries. Luckless defender Alex Johnson will miss all of 2015 due to his fourth knee reconstruction, but Lloyd Perris is about two months away from resuming after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament last July. Rookie-listed midfielder Nic Newman started running in late February after minor surgery pre-Christmas and is three-to-four weeks away. Co-captain Kieren Jack (abdomen) and Lance Franklin (concussion) have been cleared to play round one.
The big questions
Can the Swans overcome their Grand Final heartbreak and win the flag?
How the Swans rebound from their letdown on the big stage will intrigue. Will the pain of defeat drive them to go one better? Or has a chink in their armour been exposed? The Swans' list is good enough, but questions will be asked all year.
Will their ageing players keep delivering?
Dual Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes (35), Rhyce Shaw (33), Ted Richards (32), Mike Pyke (31) and Jarrad McVeigh (30) have been wonderful servants and are key players for coach John Longmire. The Swans will hope Father Time doesn't catch up with any of their ageing guns this year.
Can their backline cope with the most potent teams' firepower?
The Swans' defence was exposed in the Grand Final after their midfield was overwhelmed, and star half-back Nick Malceski has since departed to Gold Coast. Key big man Sam Reid has been earmarked for a backline role to add some steel but, on paper, it appears to be the side's weakness.
Summer standout
A raft of youngsters have impressed over summer – including Dean Towers, Sam Naismith, Dan Robinson, Isaac Heeney, Jack Hiscox and Brandon Jack – but Dan Hannebery returned in his best shape for years and has been burning up the track. The 24-year-old midfield star looks primed for a massive season.
Fantasy cash cow
Valued at just $246,000, draftee Isaac Heeney looms as a money-spinner for AFL Fantasy players. The 18-year-old featured in all three of the Swans' NAB Challenge matches and registered 78 points in the final clash against Greater Western Sydney.
Sudden impact
Isaac Heeney must be the most talked about pick No.18 in the history of the NAB AFL Draft. The Newcastle-raised midfielder has been at the centre of the raging debate about the northern academies because of his exceptional talent. Heeney is destined for big things and has shown over pre-season he is ready to play senior football now.
It's crunch time for…
Tom Mitchell. The ball magnet turned down Carlton's interest during last year's trade period but faces a battle with the likes of draftee Isaac Heeney, Jake Lloyd, Harry Cunningham and Brandon Jack to get a game in midfield. Nobody doubts the 21-year-old's ball-winning ability, but there are queries over his pace and disposal at times.
He can find the football easily, but can Tom Mitchell find a permanent spot at the Swans? Picture: AFL Media
Pivotal match
After the Grand Final debacle, there will be a huge build-up to the Swans' round eight rematch with Hawthorn under the glare of the MCG lights at primetime on a Saturday night. Importantly, it's the second game in a tough five-match run leading into the round 12 bye which includes clashes with Geelong, Carlton, Gold Coast (away) and North Melbourne (away).
The Swans will have a good year if…
Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett can fire together in attack and the Swans' key defenders avoid injury. Tippett has only played 26 games since he crossed from Adelaide and is yet to reach the lofty peaks he set himself at the Crows in 2012, but he remains extremely damaging at his best. The Swans' cover for their tall defenders is not as deep as flag rivals such as Hawthorn, so Longmire will be desperate for Ted Richards, Heath Grundy and Sam Reid to stand up all season.
AFL.com.au consensus predicted ladder finish: 3rd
Premiership clock: Set to strike but the midnight hours could slip away quickly.
