SYDNEY Swans coach John Longmire didn't sit down on the eve of his first season as a senior AFL coach and pinpoint where he'd like his side to be throughout 2011.

But after 10 games, you get the impression that he's pleasantly surprised his young group is sitting fifth, just one win outside the top four.

While the Swans had a strong finish to 2010, losing a semi-final to the Western Bulldogs by five points, there was still some uncertainty surrounding the club's standing heading into this season.

But Longmire has already blooded five debutants in 2011, while veterans such as Jude Bolton and Adam Goodes are also in fine fettle heading into Sunday's clash with Richmond at the SCG.

"It's interesting; you don't sit down at the start of the year and map out where you'd like to be at any particular point," Longmire said in Sydney on Monday.

"But we're pleased with the commitment of the players. Almost every game this year it's been really good, and that's all you can really hope for and what we'd hope to continue."

"I think the general season overall up to this point has been pleasing with the way our leaders have gone about their business and our young players are developing and looking better and better all the time."

The Swans turned heads with a commanding performance against the Brisbane Lions last Saturday, leading by 78 points late in the first half before easing to a 65-point victory.

A revamped forward line including Lewis Roberts-Thomson and the recalled Trent Dennis-Lane performed well alongside Goodes and Ben McGlynn.

While any Swan would be unlucky to lose their place after such a dominant effort, there are two key players pushing for a recall - reigning club champion Kieren Jack and ruckman Shane Mumford.

Jack has been battling an ankle problem, while Mumford has a knee injury, but both are close to regaining full fitness.

Their imminent returns come at an ideal time, with matches against Carlton and Collingwood to follow the Richmond clash.

"Shane and Kieren both ran today and ran pretty well," Longmire said.

"Their next challenge will be what they do Wednesday.

"Our physios weren't 100 per cent sure if they'd be available this week and the jury is still out.

"We're hopeful they'll be available to play and we'll know more on Wednesday, but even then it may not be until later in the week."

Longmire said he was wary of Richmond's attacking prowess of Sunday's meeting with the 10th-placed Tigers. 

"Offensively they can kick big scores and they've got some quality forwards, so we need to make sure we control that," he said.

The Swans will be favoured to get past an improving Tigers side that is coming off a bye, but Longmire has plenty of respect for Damien Hardwick's outfit.

"I think (Tyrone) Vickery has developed really well and kicked goals and rucked well, I think (Alex) Rance is an undervalued defender, so they've got some handy weapons there," Longmire said.

"And their young midfield is as good as any going around if you're looking at the next 10 years and what midfield groups will look dangerous. You have to put the Tigers in there.

"They've got some young, strong-bodied, hard-running midfielders and I think that'll be a good test for our midfield group."