Team: SYDNEY

Ins: Mark Seaby (West Coast), Shane Mumford (Geelong), Josh Kennedy (Hawthorn), Ben McGlynn (Hawthorn), Gary Rohan (Geelong Falcons), Lewis Jetta (Swan Districts), Sam Reid (Murray Bushrangers), Byron Sumner (Woodville West Torrens), Trent Dennis-Lane (Subiaco), Kristin Thornton (promoted rookie), Daniel Bradshaw (Brisbane Lions). Rookies - Henry Playfair (Sydney Swans), Chris McKaigue (County Derry, Ireland), Nathan Gordon (East Coast Eagles), Dylan McNeil (Murray Bushrangers)

Outs: Michael O'Loughlin (retired), Leo Barry (retired), Jared Crouch (retired), Brendan Murphy (retired), Barry Hall (Western Bulldogs), Nic Fosdike (retired), Ryan Brabazon (delisted), Matthew Laidlaw (delisted), Daniel O'Keefe (delisted), Tim Schmidt (retired), Luke Ablett (delisted), Amon Buchanan (Brisbane Lions), Darren Jolly (Collingwood)

Draw: The Swans won't want to leave their run too late with four of their last five matches coming against teams likely to feature heavily in September - Geelong, Hawthorn, Western Bulldogs and Brisbane. The start to the season is also a daunting prospect with Sydney to host St Kilda in a Round 1 blockbuster at ANZ Stadium before heading to Adelaide to take on the Crows. With four of their first six fixtures at home including three at the SCG, the Swans must break even at the very least in the opening six rounds, before facing daunting away trips against the Cats and Bulldogs in consecutive weeks. Things get a little easier for Sydney after the Round 8 clash against Barry Hall's Bulldogs, with six of their next nine games to be played against bottom-eight teams from last season. Of the seven teams the Swans face twice, only three - Geelong, Bulldogs and Brisbane - finished in the top eight in 2009.

Strengths: The addition of 2005 premiership-winning defender Tadhg Kennelly to a backline already boasting the likes of Rhyce Shaw, Marty Mattner and Craig Bolton, will ensure opposition forwards will struggle for an easy day at the office against the Swans in 2010. The addition of Mark Seaby and Shane Mumford following the departure of Darren Jolly, also leaves the Swans with two genuine ruckmen for the first time in recent memory.

Weaknesses: The club's top-eight prospects will largely be determined by how quickly the tried-and-tested Swans midfield can gel with the new-look forward line. The departure of regular goal scorers Hall and club legend O'Loughlin has undoubtedly left a gaping hole in Sydney's forward 50, and it remains to be seen whether the new-look trio of Adam Goodes, Daniel Bradshaw and Jesse White can fill the void. While the Swans midfield has always been a major strength, key figures Brett Kirk (33), Jude Bolton (29) and Ryan O'Keefe (29) aren't getting any younger. While this trio can still hold its own against most midfields in the competition, it remains to be seen whether they still possess the legs to dominate opponents.

X-Factor: The Swans' top two draft picks - Gary Rohan and Lewis Jetta - have both exceeded expectations in the pre-season, with coach Paul Roos indicating he is strongly considering selecting the exciting duo for the season opener against the Saints. Jetta, who spent last season in the WAFL, is an explosive small forward with a habit of kicking inspirational goals. Rohan, meanwhile, is a genuine half-forward who also possesses blinding pace and a big engine. Kennelly, fresh from a successful stint with All-Ireland champion County Kerry, is another wildcard for the Swans as he looks to readjust to life in the AFL. Roos' decision to hand over the coaching reins at the end of the upcoming season could also serve as extra motivation for the player group.

Best 22:
B: Nick Malceski, Craig Bolton, Lewis Roberts-Thomson
HB: Marty Mattner, Tadhg Kennelly, Ted Richards
C: Rhyce Shaw, Brett Kirk, Jarrad McVeigh
HF: Lewis Jetta, Adam Goodes, Paul Bevan
F: Jarred Moore, Daniel Bradshaw, Jesse White
R: Mark Seaby, Ryan O'Keefe, Jude Bolton
IC: Shane Mumford, Heath Grundy, Ben McGlynn, Gary Rohan

After Round 22: Ninth. Having missed the finals for the first time in six seasons, the new-look Swans are desperate to return to the top half of the competition - but our Sportal experts think it will be another case of so close but yet so far in 2010.