THE SYDNEY Swans have opened contract negotiations with co-captain and prospective 2016 free agent Kieren Jack with a view to finalising a new deal early this year.

It is understood Jack, 28, is focused on negotiating solely with the Swans at the moment, in the hope of securing a long-term extension of at least three years.

The native Sydneysider is one of the Swans' favourite sons and it would be a shock if he left his football home of the past decade, but the club is taking nothing for granted and has identified Jack as one of its priority re-signings in 2016.

It is believed the parties' early discussions have been fruitful, with no major sticking points arising so far.

Despite the lucrative long-term deals the Swans have signed in recent years with Lance Franklin, Kurt Tippett and Dan Hannebery, it's not expected that salary cap space will become an issue in the Jack negotiations.

But if those talks stall for some reason, there is sure to be significant opposition interest in the hard-working midfielder, whose partner is from Western Australia.

As a Pennant Hills product, Jack is a banner boy for Australian football in New South Wales.

The son of former rugby league star Garry Jack, he joined the Swans as a rookie after representing the NSW/ACT Rams in the 2005 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

Elevated to the Swans' senior list in 2007, he has since played 185 games and is a best and fairest winner (2010), All Australian (2013) and premiership player (2012).

Along with Franklin and Luke Parker, Jack was sidelined during last year's finals series, with the trio's absence a key factor in the Swans' disappointing straight-sets exit.

Jack's younger brother Brandon is contracted to the Swans until the end of 2017, having played 27 games in three seasons at the SCG.

The Swans have already re-signed two prospective 2016 free agents, Hannebery in June last year and Nick Smith in January.

Hannebery recommitted for another five years, tying himself to the SCG until the end of 2021, Smith for another two years to extend his tenure to 2018.

Veteran full-back Ted Richards is the Swans' only other remaining 2016 free agent.