Sydney Swans VFL coach Jeremy Laidler is confident his squad will be better for their roller coaster experience last season and insists the unity between the AFL and VFL list is stronger than ever.
The VFL Swans were valiant in defeat against the GWS Giants in a pre-season match on Sunday afternoon, with new recruits Angus Sheldrick and Peter Ladhams producing impressive performances respectively.
Reflecting briefly on last season, Laidler says the entire squad are better placed to tackle the new year and have formed strong combinations throughout a gruelling pre-season.
"I can't wait for Round 1 and I'm excited for the players to get a full season," Laidler said.
"I think we have two (AFL and VFL) really strong lists. Now that we have kept that group together, they know each other so well and I think that will benefit us as a team.
"Last year was obviously disappointing in some respects, and we had some close games where we lost by a goal - and the team always talk about that and they want to get better.
"We will go down to Footscray in a couple of weeks and it will be a really good test for us."
Laidler was impressed with his side's resilience against GWS on Sunday but says it's imperative they don't make a habit of producing lacklustre starts throughout the season.
While Ladhams spear-headed an improved second-half performance, producing more four-quarter efforts will be a primary focus for the team as the new campaign draws near.
"I think the Giants got on top of us, especially in the first-half when we went away from everything that works for us,"
"They were harder than us but once we matched it, we turned it up another gear which was really pleasing.
"We will review that and look at ways to get better, because we can't keep waiting until half-time to actually show up and then put up a fight.
"That was my message after the game."
While the senior squad recorded a 31-point victory over North Melbourne in their only AAMI Community Series fixture on Sunday, a host of senior-listed players put their hand up for selection in the VFL match.
As a healthy competitive environment has been established during pre-season with players fighting to be in the top 22, Laidler hopes his squad continues to put their best foot forward week-to-week.
"Angus Sheldrick had a really good game and it was tough with the conditions, but he was hard for the full four quarters," Laidler said.
"That's why we brought him to the club, because it's what he brings each week.
"We had guys coming back from injury like Joel Amartey, Marc Sheather and Lewis Melican and it was pleasing for them to get through. Colin O'Riordan is still pushing his case to get in the senior side and was pleasing also.
"Corey Warner played on the wing which was good development for him with the different running patterns and to see how he can play up and back.
"Pete Ladhams played a full game in the ruck and as a forward. In the second-half he really put his name on the game and competed as a really strong level. That will help him going forward.
"Ryan Clarke was good and I was really pleased with how clean he was with his ground balls, because that's the type of stuff he has been working on, and especially in the wet conditions."
The Swans open the VFL season on Friday March 25 at Whitten Oval against Footscray at 4.35pm.
