SYDNEY coach Colin O’Riordan has hailed his team's depth following a blistering 3-0 start to the season, adamant that any player can step up and execute the tactical system despite ongoing injuries.

Speaking to media on Tuesday, O’Riordan emphasised a "next person up" mentality where every squad member is trusted to perform their individual role reliably without disrupting the team's overall momentum.

Despite this undefeated start, the team is facing several notable absences, including key forward Taylor Smith who suffered a fractured forearm in last Sunday's win over Essendon.

The Swans also named Laura Gardiner (foot) and Ash Van Loon (calf) for the 23-point win over Euro-Yroke on Saturday despite both players carrying soreness.

O'Riordan explained how the team has managed to remain unbeaten while relying on reserve players and debutants.

"Our depth has been tested a little bit, but the beauty of that is we've got a mentality of next person up," he said.

"Our system stacks up, we believe. The way we play footy stacks up, and it doesn't really matter who we have missing or who we don't have playing. We back ourselves and we back every player on our list to come in and play their role. If they can do that every single week, that's all we ask.

"It looks like we have been tested with our depth, but the massively impressive thing is we've done well in the first three weeks."

O'Riordan confirmed several players could soon return, with four key squad members on the verge of selection provided they clear final fitness tests at training.

"A few have to get through training," he said.

"Tay Smith has to get through training. She's actually ahead of where we thought she would be, which is really positive. Tanya Kennedy (back) has to get through this week, Jas Grierson (calf) has to get through this week, and then Holly Cooper (elbow) has to get through this week, but it looks like there are four tests for the weekend, which is really exciting."

Smith initially looked set to miss up to a month with her forearm injury. However, O'Riordan emphasised player safety remains the top priority, confirming she will only return if fully cleared by medical staff, and most likely wearing lightweight protective gear.

"Yeah, we're just working through it," he said.

"She'll probably need some forearm protection. But if she plays, we're not sending people out who are absolutely busted. We're going to make sure that it's the right decision for her to step out onto the field; we won't send her out injured.

"So, we just need to work through what that looks like if she plays and gets through this week.

"She'll have some form of protection but it won't be significant or, hopefully, impairing."

The integration of young talent has also been a key driver of Sydney's early-season success, with debutants stepping up seamlessly into the senior side. Rookies Emma Juneja, Imogen Brown, Maddie Quinn, and Molly Thomas have all made an immediate mark, validating the club's development pathway and tactical framework.

O'Riordan praised the four debutants for their preparation and work rate, noting their performances have exceeded expectations during this injury-hit stretch.

"It's really pleasing. That's a credit to how they go about their footy and the system that we're trying to build," O'Riordan said.

"It doesn't matter who plays for us every week. As long as you play your role and play to the system we're trying to play, we think anyone can play that role.

"They do their craft during the week and they own their game. They do everything they can to be the best players they can be... to see the four debutants we've had this year really take the game on, it's a credit to them, and it's really pleasing to the coaches to know your depth is quite strong."

Offering his perspective on the overall state of the League, O'Riordan noted that while injuries are testing depth across an increasingly competitive AFLW, success will belong to teams that adapt and rely on their systems to win tight games.

"I think it's really even. It feels like the games are tight; the standard is really high," he said.

"That's what it looks like, and there's a real excitement about where it's going and how it looks.

"There's a lot of obvious injuries going around and that's going to be a key talking point with a few more knees on the weekend, which is really disappointing for those players involved. But overall, I think everyone's depth has been tested, and it's the teams who can bounce back and back their systems in that will come out on top."