Senior assistant coach Stuart Dew has pointed to the performance of Dean Towers and Isaac Heeney as important highlights during the Swans’ pre-season campaign.

Towers booted a goal and collected 14 disposals in Sunday’s win over GWS, his third consecutive match of the NAB Challenge series.

Dew said he was looking forward to seeing Towers continue his improvement throughout the season to lock in a regular spot in the senior team.

“He is quick, good overhead and can play big minutes so we need him to step up and I would look for him to really try and cement his spot in the side,” Dew said.

“The good thing about Dean is that he wants to learn and improve his game so the last two weeks have been a good introduction for him.”

Academy recruit Heeney had his most impressive performance of the pre-season against GWS finishing the match with 12 disposals and two goals.

Perhaps most striking about the 18-year-old’s game was his ability above his head taking five strong marks including an important one late in the match to drive the Swans forward.

“Isaac has been solid for us as well and in close games you remember things and he took a really good mark there at the end,” Dew said.

“He is just a competitor, whether it is forward, midfield or back you can see he is enjoying it, he is having the time of his life and so he should.”

“He will be in the mix and certainly play senior footy this year.”

With both players in the mix for round one selection Dew could not be more pleased with the team’s last hit out before the home and away season.

The senior assistant said he was not surprised at the spirited nature of the contest that saw a number of minor scuffles break out across the four quarters.

"When there's no four points, all you've got is pride. Both sides wanted to win," Dew said.

"I thought our will to win - Franklin played 10 minutes and Kieren Jack 30 … great clubs just keep winning so it was pleasing to get that last one (goal).

"We were happy that our guys just refused to lose."